Bootstrap is originally a creation of Twitter. After its initial release in 2011, the opensource front-end framework has steadily gained popularity. Currently, several Bootstrap versions are active. Bootstrap can power website applications, online portfolios, blogs, and responsive websites.
Over the years, Bootstrap has become the favorite of web developers and web designers. Here are a few reasons you will soon fall in love with it too:
i. It has a naturally responsive design.
ii. Bootstrap versions are easy to learn and manage.
iii. All versions of Bootstrap have extensive browser compatibility.
iv. Every version of the front-end framework comes loaded with jQuery plug-ins and JavaScript API.
v. Bootstrap is highly flexible and extensible, thanks to JS usage.
Currently, you can avail of Bootstrap in two forms. The source code version has Less CSS preprocessor. Bootstrap also comes with an official Sass port that supports web developers and designers, who are more into Sass. It also uses Autoprefixer to make the use of CSS vendor prefixes easier. At the same time, you can check out the vanilla CSS version, just in case you don’t want to indulge in too much Less or Sass.
Irrespective of which styles you pick, you can override them later using custom styles for individual bootstrap versions.
How simple are HTML template coding and editing for Bootstrap?
The basics of Bootstrap are super easy to understand. The file structures are quite self-explanatory. You can check out the generic Bootstrap templates here to revisit the basic file structure.
It includes the pre-compiled file list that enables the straightforward use of the files in any of your web projects. Apart from the CSS and JS files, you can see the fonts files and the optional starting theme for Bootstrap. You can keep these files as is in your project, or you can rearrange them later on. You are good to go as long as the CSS folder is on the same level as the Glyphicons folder.
This is what your Bootstrap HTML file/template should look like. Every HTML should begin with a “HTML5 Doctype” declaration.
Typically, an HTML template like this one is ready-for-use on a modern browser.
What are the UI elements for every Bootstrap template?
Every new Bootstrap template and theme user should remember that jQuery is extremely important for all Bootstrap plug-ins. It needs to load before the bootstrap.js files. However, if you are not interested in any of Bootstrap’s interactive features, you can exclude rendering these files.
The User Interaction (UI) components of Bootstrap templates can include typography, forms, buttons, tables, Glyphicons, progress bars, pagination, navigation, buttons and input groups, dropdowns, alerts, labels and badges, modals, accordions, carousels, and tabs. In short, there are a plethora of UI components a developer can explore while using Bootstrap templates. The lion’s share of these UI elements uses jQuery plug-ins and JavaScript extensions.
How does Bootstrap offer a stellar fluid grid system for all web users?
Another advantage of using any Bootstrap template for the front-end development of any website is the developer’s direct access to a mobile-first development platform. All bootstrap versions after 3 come with a mobile-first philosophy. Since it is in-line with Google’s principle of promoting mobile responsive pages on the web, all sites using Bootstrap version 3 and later automatically gain a boost in visibility once they go online.
Right now, Bootstrap uses a grid system to achieve this smooth responsiveness. The fluid grid system provides the structure to every layout as per the device screen or viewport. Grids offer intuitive UI for all the users irrespective of devices. The CSS-based framework of the Bootstrap template plays a significant role in preserving the structure of the site and its components on a diverse set of devices.
The Bootstrap grid system follows a fixed set of rules for the number of rows and columns per page. However, the provisions of creating and managing rows and columns are not as mind-boggling as most non-Bootstrap users make it out to be. It does take a little time to internalize and memorize the rules. For example – the page can have an unlimited number of rows, but the number of columns has to be the children of rows. Once you do manage to master these rules, creating a grid is super easy. For example – for a page with two rows, where one row has two columns, and the other has four, one would use the code:
Once you have mastered the logic and the code, you can go ahead and create rows with mixed column widths as well, or shift the columns within the rows using offset.
Why should you try Bootstrap for your upcoming web development project?
Apart from the ease-of-use and flexibility, one must not forget the ample free Bootstrap templates and themes now available for commercial and personal use. Nothing is impossible to achieve using one of the templates from this highly diverse collection. From one-page portfolios for photographers, models, and artists to highly dynamic repertoires for online sellers and eCommerce stores, everything is now achievable using Bootstrap and some original creativity.
Here is why we recommend Bootstrap version 3 and higher to developers and web designers, who are in search of the awesome:
i. Bootstrap has been around for a while, and its user interface is easy to master. In fact, over the years, Bootstrap has become easier to use. There is simply no reason for seasoned developers to try newer and riskier developing options.
ii. Building websites has never been more fun than using Bootstrap’s robust and responsive building philosophies. Several popular and highly successful sites like PopCornTV and Paradiso still run on Bootstrap.
iii. The community support for Bootstrap users is beyond reliable. The omnipresent and omniscient community is reachable 24/7 for all sorts of Q&A and troubleshooting.
iv. The pricing options are varied and flexible. You want to explore the world of pay-as-you-go functionalities. Then Bootstrap 4 is your calling!
Bootstrap is the front-end framework that provides every developer and designer with stable shortcuts that can create complex web pages from unassuming HTML codes. Try Bootstrap to preserve your mental peace and save some valuable time!
