If you’re wondering, what is Bootstrap CSS? Here is the simple Bootstrap guide for beginners. Bootstrap is a predefined CSS file that helps in the development of websites. Numerous people consider it a part of the back-end or think of Bootstrap as a programming language; however, the reality is that Bootstrap is actually a CSS Framework.
The second most asked question about Bootstrap is that “what is Bootstrap in web development?” You’ll find that out in this detailed Bootstrap guide.
Bootstrap in web development is an open-source and free CSS framework that enables developers to build mobile and web responsive projects. Bootstrap typically consists of design templates coded in JavaScript and CSS for creating a dynamic user interface, including forms, typography, button, and so forth.
Now, this may probably go way over your head; no worries, we have also covered the basics for all newbies in the following Bootstrap guide.
The bootstrap framework consists of a wide collection of nifty HTML and JavaScript codes used in the front-end development environment. That helps in quickly building mobile-responsive websites. You don’t have to write myriad lines of code in bootstrap coding, allowing you to work on designing the website. Did we mention that Bootstrap is absolutely free? Since it’s open-source, you don’t have to pay anything to work on Bootstrap.
Why is Bootstrap the Foremost Choice of Web Developers?
After the official launch of Bootstrap a decade ago in 2011, it became a massive hit and recognized by web developers and web designers as one of the flexible frameworks to work with. Moreover, Bootstrap is also compatible with a wide range of web browsers and uses components a number of times. Bootstrap also supports jQuery.
Bootstrap allows you to use either IDE or editor that you use with server-side languages, including PHP, Ruby, and ASP.NET.
One of Bootstrap’s main reasons web developers and designers use it is mainly because of its flexibility. Moreover, Bootstrap also has a smaller learning curve as compared to other frameworks. A bootstrap grid system helps make responsive layouts. Numerous other components can also be re-used to make the development process easier.
We have put together some of the many benefits of using Bootstrap for your web development project.
1. Bootstrap Has a Responsive Grid
Bootstrap offers a responsive layout grid that provides the utmost convenience for developers without writing a myriad of coding. Thus, it allows developers to work on filling up the content on containers.
You can easily customize your breakpoints for each column by utilizing breaks of the required size. Moreover, you can also set the settings to default that helps provide breaks as needed for your site.
2. Bootstrap Allows Image Resizing Automatically
One of the best features of Bootstrap is that it automatically resize as required for the screen. All you need to do is incorporate a .img-responsive class into your image and leave the rest to predefined CSS rules.
Apart from size, you can also make changes to your images’ shape by adding img-circle or img-rounded class. You don’t need to code and design software every time you need to make changes to the shape of your image.
3. Bootstrap Has a Diverse Range of Components
There are numerous components under Bootstrap’s belt that you can utilize as needed for your web page. That includes progress bars, navigation bars, thumbnails, etc.
Bootstrap will enable you to add visually appealing elements to your web page. Plus, you won’t have to worry about those element’s screen sizes due to the automatic resizing feature of Bootstrap.
There is a diverse range of pre-made functionality on Bootstrap that helps developers make the most out of their developing efforts.
4. Bootstrap Has Built-in Support for jQuery Plugins
Bootstrap also has built-in support of jQuery for developers and a wide range of nifty plugins. These plugins plenty of additional features that enhance the overall user interface of your website.jQuery plugins empower developers to customize image carousels, modal popups, transitions, scroll spy, and so much more to make the website stand out from the others.
5. Bootstrap Has Highly Detailed Documentation
Bootstrap is known for its documentation. You can see highly detailed information about Bootstrap on its website. Documentation includes various tools, coding samples, and Bootstrap’s basic know-how, which is quite helpful for starters and beginners.
In learning and implementing Bootstrap, you just need to select a component and incorporate it into your page and make changes as required.
6. Bootstrap Offers Customizability
The only drawback of Bootstrap is the file size. The files of Bootstrap really take a toll on the loading speed of the application. One of the Bootstrap CSS files version is 143 KB, which is quite huge for a CSS file.
However, you can also optimize the size of the Bootstrap CSS file. All you need to do is go to customize and download page and check only those features as required by the project. It will help your shrink down the size of CSS files and help you improve the loading time.
7. Bootstrap Has a Massive Community
Another major benefit of using Bootstrap it established a large community of developers and designers. Their contribution helps the entire community members, whether it’s learning to code, the solution to a particular problem, debugging, and more. You can also connect with your fellow developers and designers.
Not only that, but also Bootstrap has an official Twitter page, Slack room, and a dedicated blog page. There are numerous developers and designers on the bootstrap-4 tag that offer help and provide a solution to any problem you can face.
8. Bootstrap Offers Custom Templates
The rise in popularity of Bootstrap also gave rise to the number of custom templates available for sale on the internet. These custom templates are meant to expedite the web development process. You can find several websites where you can buy these custom templates, including:
The Drawbacks of Using Bootstrap
Even though there are tons of benefits of using Bootstrap, few drawbacks shouldn’t be neglected. Let’s see the negative aspects of Bootstrap, making you why you shouldn’t use Bootstrap.
1. Bootstrap Syntax is Quite Puzzling!
If you’re just starting with Bootstrap, you would be puzzled by some of its syntaxes. For instance, when you’re working on-grid system and want to take up a third of the screen, you have to add the .col-md-4 class instead of using the number 3.
Why is that, you might ask.
At first instance, you might wonder where does 4 fits into taking up a third of the screen. However, the syntax has a valid reason for that. This is because Bootstrap consists of 12-column which makes 4 a third of 12. Now, it could be confusing for anyone to comprehend the valid reason for this process.
2. Bootstrap Has Massive File Size!
As previously stated, Bootstrap files tend to be heavy, which takes tremendous amounts of loading time. The size of these files is mainly because of the nature of their framework.
When you’re just starting on Bootstrap, it would be quite a hassle for you to optimize images and resolve this issue. Nonetheless, it would help you check off only those functionalities you need for your website, and the rest would be eliminated with the latest customize tools. Thus, it shrinks down the file size and optimizes the website loading time.
3. Bootstrap Bootstrap Makes Learners Slack Off
There’s no denying that using Bootstrap may make the developer or design slack off and don’t spend time and energy to learn to code. This is because mostly Bootstrap developers and designers only work on recycled codes that counterproductive from a learning perspective. To prevent that from ever happening, you need to deeply learn to code and Bootstrap to understand its functioning fully.
Conclusion
All of these aspects only point towards Bootstrap being one of the dynamic tools to develop websites quickly and efficiently.
Moreover, Bootstrap offers a diverse range of features that enhance the user interface with your website without the need for endless lines of coding. Bootstrap frameworks are widely in various major organizations, including NASA, MongoDB, and FIFA.
We hope the Bootstrap guide has proven helpful, and you’ve learned a few things from it.
Are you thinking about expanding your development skills? Check out some of our blogs.
- Responsive Website Design
- Mobile App Development Guide