What is one key disadvantage of minifying CSS files?

Minifying CSS files involves removing unnecessary characters such as whitespace, comments, and sometimes even formatting to reduce the size of the file. While this process offers many benefits, such as reducing the overall loading time of web pages and enhancing performance, one significant disadvantage is that it compromises maintainability.

When CSS is minified, it becomes much harder for developers to read and understand the code. The loss of formatting and comments makes it difficult to identify styles and how they interact within the code. This can significantly hinder collaboration among team members or future maintenance work since understanding the intent behind styles requires deciphering a compressed block of text. In practical terms, when a developer returns to a minified CSS file later or when a new developer joins a project, they may struggle with making modifications or additions without first investing time in unraveling the minified file.

Therefore, while minifying CSS helps with loading times and performance, it creates a challenge in maintaining and updating the code over time, which is why it's considered a notable disadvantage.