lessc

lessc is a command-line compiler used to convert Less files (.less) into standard CSS (.css) stylesheets. Less is a dynamic preprocessor language that extends CSS by adding features such as variables, mixins, nested rules, and functions, enabling more maintainable and reusable stylesheets.

Developed by Alexis Sellier, lessc is part of the Less.js project and is implemented in Node.js, allowing developers to compile Less files locally or as part of build automation workflows. The compiler offers a variety of options for customization, including compression, source map generation, and import options, making it flexible for different development environments.

Typically installed via npm (Node Package Manager), users can install lessc with the command "npm install -g less" to make the command accessible globally. Once installed, lessc can be run from the terminal with syntax such as "lessc styles.less styles.css" to compile a Less file into CSS. Additional flags enable features like minification ("--clean-css") or source map output ("--source-map").

Lessc's integration with build tools and task runners, including Grunt, Gulp, and Webpack, facilitates automated stylesheet processing in modern web development. As an open-source utility, lessc continues to be maintained by the community, supporting newer versions of Node.js and improving compatibility.

Overall, lessc is a key tool for developers using Less to efficiently generate CSS, streamline workflows, and manage complex stylesheets in web development projects.