Overview of the Bootstrap framework with useful life hacks for developers

 

The Bootstrap framework allows you to speed up the layout process, plus it makes the finished product more adaptive to different resolutions and screen formats. Distributed completely free of charge in the form of HTML, CSS, and JS files. It is one of the most popular frameworks in the world. The main area of ​​application is the development of the interface of sites, web applications, and administration environment. Any web developer will need to familiarize themselves with at least the basic materials on Bootstrap to work.

Why Bootstrap is so popular?

Because the most common styles and behaviors for elements are written in Bootstrap files, the layout process is much faster. Plus, the finished product is implemented more competently from a technical point of view and it is easier to bring it to generally accepted standards in the company.

Bootstrap is quite easy to learn, as it is based on the standard features of HTML, CSS, and JS, which even a novice developer is familiar with. In fact, the whole process of work comes down to assigning the “correct” class to one or another layout element. Of course, before that, you need to first connect the necessary files to the main one, but even a novice developer should not have problems with this.

That is, you simply add the desired class to the link and it takes the form of a button. Without the framework, you would have to manually style the button in your project's CSS file, and then attach that class to the button. If you don't like Bootstrap's styles, you can extend them by attaching an additional class to the element and describing it in your project's CSS file.

Also, with the help of Bootstrap, you can create more complex layout elements in just a few seconds. For example, to create tabs on a site, you would have to make several blocks in an HTML document, then style them in CSS, and then write the behavior in JS. Even for an experienced developer, this can take about 10 minutes. By making tabs using Bootstrap, you only need to write a frame in an HTML document and place the necessary classes in it.

Advantages and disadvantages of Bootstrap

The Bootstrap framework has significant advantages:

1. Acceleration of the layout process. The developer only needs to make an HTML layout and assign the necessary classes to it, which can save a lot of time writing CSS properties and JavaScript code.

2. Cross-browser and cross-platform. A website or application written with this framework will be supported by default on most browsers, operating systems, and devices. The developer does not have to spend extra time adapting the product.

3. Large library of thoughtful components. With its help, you can quickly create all the main components on the site or in the application - buttons, drop-down lists, menus, sliders, and so on. All components in the library have been tested by many developers around the world, so compatibility issues are minimal.

4. Can be customized for your project. Even though Bootstrap uses predefined templates, they are easy to customize for your project. This can be done either by changing the standard classes or by adding additional ones.

5. Low entry threshold. You don't have to be a web developer to get started with Bootstrap. It is enough to know the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This will allow you to make template projects.

6. Unified design style. All components of the Bootstrap library are made in the same style, so you can quickly make a page that looks harmonious without having to work on the design of individual elements.

7. Own a community of developers and a large number of training materials. The presence of a large number of training materials and a developed community of developers, including Russian-speaking ones, allow you to quickly learn how the framework works.

8. Distributed for free. Bootstrap is an open-source project that is completely free and can even be used in commercial projects.

However, in addition to the advantages of this framework, there are also disadvantages:

Not suitable for creating websites with a unique design. Of course, it can be used for these purposes, but it is not always advisable to do this, since it can take more time to process standard components than if you did everything from scratch.

The large size of resulting CSS and JS files. This can negatively affect the page loading speed of the finished project. This can be partially corrected by optimizing the project files. This can be done automatically using special services.

Helpful Tips for Using Bootstrap

Although Bootstrap itself can speed up the layout process and optimize some tasks, it can be used more efficiently. Let's take a look at a few tips from experienced developers that will allow a beginner to quickly learn the Bootstrap tool and use it more effectively in their projects.

Learn HTML and CSS

If you are just starting to learn how to develop, then before moving on to layout using frameworks, you are recommended to master HTML and CSS normally. The framework allows you to reduce the number of routine actions, but it is not able to “implement for you”. To effectively use all the features of Bootstrap, you need to know at least an intermediate level of HTML and CSS. With JavaScript, of course, it would also be nice to understand, but this can already be done in the course of mastering the framework itself.

Use only the latest version of Bootstrap

If the project you are working on does not require you to do otherwise, then use the latest stable version of the framework. It can be viewed on the official resource of the developer and downloaded there. So it will be easier for you to adapt to innovations in the future, plus, new versions offer new tools that optimize the entire workflow.

Constantly monitor the official Bootstrap communities

This can be not only the official website of the developer, but also resources for communication between developers, professional portals, and so on. Since Bootstrap is very common, there are even Russian communities that are not much inferior to their English counterparts. By conducting constant monitoring, you will be able to keep abreast of all the innovations and see what “chips” other developers are doing.

Also, do not hesitate to take online courses for web developers. This way you can quickly get up to speed, learn all the main features of Bootstrap, or even find an experienced mentor and your first projects. Bootstrap online courses are not always paid - there are many free, shareware, or those that are not very expensive.

Take time to read the documentation

Bootstrap has a lot of predefined classes and elements, so remembering them all is not possible. Plus, new ones are added with every update. To work effectively, you will have to learn how to work with Bootstrap technical documentation. It is presented on the official website of the developer and is quite easy to learn. There you can quickly find out what a particular class is responsible for, how to work with it, how to customize it for your tasks, and so on.

Conclusion

A web developer working with the front end must know and be able to work with the Bootstrap framework. Even if you do not use it in the current project, you will likely have to work with it in future ones. Plus, using Bootstrap and other similar solutions allows you to reduce development time, which will allow you to get more work done in the same amount of time, and therefore earn more.

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