A lot of people talk about Bootstrap, but you know what it's for? You may even know it as a front-end framework, but do you know who it's designed for, whether it's worth studying, or if it's something outdated? In this article, we'll try to answer all these questions. In addition to knowing more about Bootstrap, you'll know the framework's strengths and weaknesses and what makes it a great tool for when working with front-end web development.

Bootstrap Source

Although Bootstrap is a recent web development tool, the term has an older origin, dating from the 18th century. In the past, the term referred to processes performed without outside help, but with internal facilitation. For example, an entrepreneur who starts his business with his own resources rather than making a loan is considered to be someone who has used a Bootstrap technique. Over the years, the term has become widely used in computing. Today being recognized as a front-end framework for web development.

Is Bootstrap Important?

More than other front-end frameworks, over the years Bootstrap has become one of the most important tools for creating websites. This is because the framework's standards follow the principles of usability and the design trends for interfaces. In addition, its standardization allows websites to have a better look, and a way to create aesthetically pleasing pages. As you likely already know, the better the design of a page, the higher the user satisfaction rate.

Features and Benefits of Bootstrap

Now, let's take a closer look at the features that make Bootstrap worth it. Between them:

1. Component Library

2. Reuse code

3. Documentation and community

4. Responsiveness

Component Library

Perhaps one of the most interesting features of this framework is that it has an extensive library of components, such as icons, text boxes, panels and color links.

Reuse code

Just as it is the goal of every framework, Bootstrap allows less code to be written, as it delivers a series of ready-made visuals. The developer's only need is to know what class he should call. As shown in the example above, the alert alert-danger class alone can not only change the background colors of the text, but also creates a border for the panel and font color. All this with a simple line of code with 26 characters. If you are already a developer, you should know how this feature can be useful in your life. Less typed code means less headache to find syntax problems, as well as being a great way to save time.

Full documentation and active community

Documentation is something that few programmers like to do but it is something essential in order for a language or framework to evolve. With documentation always up-to-date and easily accessible, querying Bootstrap is extremely easy. Up-to-date documentation allows the best programming practices with the framework to be known thus increasing the chance of new projects achieving visual and technical quality.

Responsiveness

In addition to standardizing a number of parameters, Bootstrap is one of the easiest ways to make a site responsive. Responsive design allows for websites to be adaptable to different types of screens such as mobile, tablet or computer. Today, it is indicated that all sites should be responsive to improving the user experience and improves your Google rankings. With Bootstrap, ust one line of code you can allow the entire project responsive and improve the display of content according to specific tags.

Who uses Bootstrap today?

Many famous websites use Bootstrap as a front-end framework such as the NBA website, Target and Walmart. A large number of sites use the framework, which explains the excellent visual standard they have.

In addition, you can create web applications with Bootstrap, using tools such as Bootstrap Studio. With these tools, you simply drag the content and assemble the interfaces visually. The entire code structure will be made by the system. Of course, this is not the best tool for anyone who wants to work hard in the area, but can sometimes break a branch. For professionals, we recommend learning the framework in detail.

Are there disadvantages?

If we said that there are no disadvantages when using Bootstrap, we would be partial. So, let's point out here some criticisms that the framework receives, but that does not invalidate their choice at the time of study and work.

Excess of standardization

As much as standardization is something that Bootstrap is looking for, the result may end up being very similar to other sites. There are many options for buttons, panels and icons, but it is still common for you to see the same elements on different portals. This is because the framework is very famous. Surveys say about 7 million sites use Bootstrap. The solution to this is to work on Bootstrap instead of simply calling its elements. If you know how to adapt Bootstrap to your project, this will no longer be a problem.

Home remedy may be better

Experienced front-end programmers often dislike Bootstrap because it delivers a lot of code that will not be used, which can slow systems down. In this way, they end up preferring to develop their own solutions, coding "in the nail". This does not invalidate Bootstrap usage. Many companies use it, even large ones, as you can see. The decision whether or not to work with the framework will depend on what you want to do in your career. Therefore, we indicate that you know the framework to see if it meets your needs, because opportunities to work with it are not lacking!

How can I start using Bootstrap?

There are a number of things you can do to get started with Bootstrap, and they can start there from your home! See below:

Initial kick: studies!

To get the most out of the Bootstrap framework, we suggest you take our course. It has everything you need to understand the first steps of the framework and how it works. But to take the course, it is interesting that you already have some technical knowledge. Look at these requirements below.

Basic languages

The three languages ​​for anyone who wants to work with Bootstrap are HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Although there are already classes and functions ready, it may be necessary to make specific changes. Or you may need to understand how the functions used work.

So, if you still do not know HTML, CSS and JS, study these three languages. That way you'll know how to work miracles with Bootstrap! If you cannot afford to invest your time and money in learning these languages ​​now, take a look at our beginner's guide to HTML and CSS. We hope you like it!

Themes and more themes

One of the cool things about Bootstrap is that it can be worked on by other companies, which end up creating themes for the community. The sites below are very interesting to find bootstrap templates for you to use in your projects:

1. Bootstrap Zero

2. Start Bootstrap

3. BootstrapMade

Conclusion

It's quite simple: download Bootstrap from the official website of the tool. Add the "bootstrap.min.css" and "bootstrap.min.js" files to the folders corresponding to them within your site. Then just call the CSS and JS inside the HTML <head> tag. It is important to remember that Bootstrap accesses the jQuery library to enable the behavior of its plugins. So, remember to insert it into your page so that everything works perfectly.

About Author:

Angela Joseph is a digital analyst and technical writer. Currently she`s working in Digital Gravity, a Web Development Agency Dubai and trying to improve herself in the blogging career.