Bootstrap Overview: Advantages, Uses and all you need to know!

The fast switch over, from the usage of desktops and laptops to tablets and mobile phones that is happening in the digital world has introduced the need for swift adaptation to powerful technological developments.

In this array, Bootstrap is the recent innovation in the field of web design, paving ways for new creations to the web designers. It is the front-end framework that can be developed with JavaScript, HTML and CSS. It is responsive, mobile-first and powerful.

It has the option of switching off responsiveness feature to accommodate fixed, non-flexible functionality. Twitter introduced this framework and used it for over a year before Bootstrap became an open source application.

Bootstrap Environment:

To use Bootstrap framework, you have to set up the right environment initially. The build system for this setup is Grunt upon which Bootstrap works. Hence, to install this, download ‘node.js’ and install it as the first step. Following this, you have to install Grunt.

Also Read: Getting started · Bootstrap

From now onwards, you can develop your framework using either the sample templates or the HTML template.

Bootstrap Framework, an open source program maintained by GitHub offers three types of installation. Depending on the skill level, you can select the suitable type. They are:

• Pre-Complied Version:

This type has everything pre-compiled and is ready for immediate usage. All the CSS, JavaScript and fonts are compiled and the end user who doesn’t know programming can go for this. There will not be any source code files included for code level modification.

• Source Code Version:

This needs a Less Compiler. This also includes the pre-compiled JavaScript and CSS along with their respective source codes and documentation. This is suitable for the web developers.

• Bootstrap ported from Less to Sass version:

In case you need to use Sass-only projects and Rails or Compass, you can download this version.

Benefits of Bootstrap Framework:

#1. Ease of Usage –

This is one of the reasons why it is so popular these days. The ease of usage that it provides is one of the reasons why people prefer to use it. The process is simple and easy! If you are an amateur, no worries, it provides an easily graspable learning curve like no other frameworks do.

Based upon your convenience and interests, it will offer you with LESS or the old CSS files, whichever you find comfortable to work upon!

So, how do you utilize the efficiency of Bootstrap?

All you have to do is download the Bootstrap files from GitHub and ensure that you get them included in to the header section of your HTML file. Download the SASS version to enjoy utilizing the benefits of Sass/ LESS/ CSS.

#2. Ease of Integration –

The best part of using Bootstrap is that it can be integrated with almost all types of frameworks. Also, this gives you ease of access into the frameworks and you can implement any of those pre-defined Bootstrap classes without using markups. You cannot convert your designs into markup only if they are using the default bootstrap framework grid.

#3. The speed of Bootstrap –

This could be another reason why people utilize Bootstrap. The speed that it offers is unmatchable! If you have never ever used Bootstrap, I would recommend you need to try it at least once when you are trying to build a new and fresh website or application for the speed and swift development features that it offers. Unlike other frameworks where you have to sit and start coding from the scratch, Bootstrap is easy to use because it offers you with ready-made coding blocks which you can utilize to build the rest of your site.

You could combine this feature with the CSS-LESS functionality and the cross browser compatibility which helps to save you from the excess time that is utilized in fixing the rest. Also, you can purchase readymade Bootstrap themes that can be customized to meet your requirements..

Also Read: How to Enhance The Loading Speed Of a Website by Perfect Optimization

#4. Grid Style –

The layout has 12 column grid style; responsive, supporting offset and nested elements. In case you need to get rid of the responsive feature, you can anytime switch over to fixed layout style.

#5. Base Style –

Packed with lots of HTML elements for dealing with images, typography, forms, and others.

#6. Pre-styled Components –

Ready with dropdowns, alerts, navigation bars and many others.

#7. JavaScript Components –

To avoid scripting, JavaScript components that add functionality like tool tips to the web development are plenty in this framework.

#8. Support and Documentation –

Detailed explanations and excellent documentation help beginners as well as advanced users.

#9. Bootstrap is customizable-

What else do you need when you are struggling to build a website or application from the scratch and you hate coding? A customizable framework that provides you with all kinds of facilities!

Bootstrap can be customized as and when required based on the requirements of your project. The web developers are provided with ample of choices to select the features or functionalities that they need and the Bootstrap customizable page is here to provide you with all the things that you need.

Tick off what you do not need from the following:

Common CSS: Grid systems, typography, tables, print media styles, forms, code, buttons, etc.

Utilities:  Basic utilities and Responsive utilities

Components: Labels, Navbars, Navs, Pager, Input Groups, Pagination, Badges

JavaScript Components: Modals, tooltips, Popovers, dropdowns.

#10. Bootstrap is Responsive-

As you know we are living in a Smartphone dominated era and we do not wish to break the existing concepts of modernized change that is revolutionizing the world. And, let us stop thinking of designing for the desktops when all are using their Smart phones to connect, browse, participate and engage in all that is happening over the World Wide Web.

It provides a fluid grid layout that helps you to organize your site into the dimensions of the mobile device you have got there.

Also Read: 10 Handy Tips for Responsive Web Design

The grid system has got spots that would help to organize the columns you wish to implement and all this is possible because of the readymade classes that your grid system has got.

With the help of these Bootstrap features you can identify the points you can load the horizontal points in your site or app that you are building.

#11. Bootstrap is consistent:

The Bootstrap tools were first expanded by the Twitter employees. But, the best part of Bootstrap is that provides an thorough consistency across the app or website system.

#12. Updates that are frequent:

Any system that works over the web needs an upgrade at regular intervals to match the requirements of the web. This is only possible if there is a regular update happening. But, when you are using Bootstrap you need not worry about such things because Bootstrap is one of those frameworks that releases more updates than any other framework. All the updates are tailor made such that to support cross browser compatibility along with cross device compatibility.

#13. Community is infinite:

Whenever a developer gets stuck somewhere they do not have to worry because of the vast support from the community. If there Is an amateur who is seeking some help with developing a new app or website they do not have to worry because there is always assured help that the community is ready to provide them with. The documentation is not just some theory but comes with illustrations and demos on how the working of the Bootstrap and its functionalities take place.

It is one of the friendliest systems for any kind of person who is working on that. Regardless of whether you are going to use it for the first time or have been using it for a long time, it does not matter because it is friendly and there are no qualms and nothing that you need to take into consideration when working on it.

It comes compiled with CSS, Javascripts, and typography cells.

Also, you can find JavaScript, Source Less, and font files in the source code section when using Bootstrap. What more could you ask for?

Bootstrap has been ported from Less to Sass and it provides for easy inclusion of Compass, Rails or Sass only projects.

Plugins, components and extensions:

Very powerful plugins, extensions and various types of components are available with this framework. Some of the are Fuel UX, Jasny Bootstrap, Bootstrap-Modal, Notifications, jQuery File Upload, BIC Calendar, Clockface, Colour Palette, Flippant, Tocify, Yamm Mega Menu, Star Rating, Summernote, Gridmanager, Slider and more.

So, what kind of a framework are you using to build your application or website? Is it the old and outdated technology or are using something similar to Bootstrap or Bootstrap itself?

Share your thoughts and experiences with us stating why you prefer the framework that you are using now!

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