Bootstrap introduction. Since past several years, Bootstrap, a front-end development framework has gained huge limelight among web designers and developers community. The reason for this tremendous hype may lie in its fantastic features that make it an ideal framework for creating responsive websites.
This framework fascinated numerous website designers and developers, thus, no wonder why a vast population of professionals has adopted this framework for creating enthralling sites. It is a kind of framework that can produce websites to work on every device.
Despite being an open source framework, Bootstrap is a full-fledged framework that provides tremendously significant support to web designers and developers.
This write-up is for those (especially, beginners) who have the keen interest in knowing more about Bootstrap.
Let’s see what makes it ideal for creating responsive websites but before getting started, take a look what Bootstrap is all about.
About Bootstrap Framework
Technological advancement and high competition bring several challenges for businesses and website designers. For a business, the need to remain ahead of the competition throws the need for having a website that not only looks great but can also face future alterations as per business requirements.
The need for modifications compels designers across the world to look for a reliable framework that can make website designing and development even easier. Eventually, they got Bootstrap, kudos to its development team that has spent valuable time and put marvelous efforts to create such framework.
Among several CSS frameworks, Bootstrap is the best one to get the job done with minimal efforts. Above all, despite it takes comparatively less time to create a website, its outcomes give extremely pleasing experience to its creator and owner. In addition to it, the Bootstrap’s CSS files are provided in LESS that makes this framework to offer easy customization.
Now, take a glimpse on the point one by one:
Quick Development
Unarguably, Bootstrap enables designers to design a website quickly as compared to other frameworks. Whether it is about working on deadlines or handling multiple projects simultaneously, Bootstrap is the best alternative for the designers that make their task much simpler.
If you are using Bootstrap, then there is no need to code from the scratch as you can use its inbuilt chunks of codes that empower professionals to have a quick start.
Great Grid System for Responsiveness
Websites developed in Bootstraps are of responsive nature because its Grid system offers 12 columns per page that you can further customize as per your needs and choices. These columns quickly adapt to different screen size and add fantastic responsiveness to the websites.
Bootstrap Grid System offers four classes that can be used to create a website that can run on a variety of screens. They are:
- xs – for smartphones
- sm – for tablets
- md – for traditional desktops/laptops
- lg – for large screen desktops
By using these classes, you can show or hide any part of your website according to screen size and requirements.
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6 col-lg-3">
<div class="visible-lg text-success">Large Devices</div>
<div class="visible-md text-warning">Medium Devices</div>
<div class="visible-xs visible-sm text-danger">Extra Small and Small Devices</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6 col-lg-3">
<div class="visible-lg text-success">Large Devices</div>
<div class="visible-md text-warning">Medium Devices</div>
<div class="visible-xs visible-sm text-danger">Extra Small and Small Devices</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6 col-lg-3">
<div class="visible-lg text-success">Large Devices</div>
<div class="visible-md text-warning">Medium Devices</div>
<div class="visible-xs visible-sm text-danger">Extra Small and Small Devices</div>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6 col-lg-3">
<div class="visible-lg text-success">Large Devices</div>
<div class="visible-md text-warning">Medium Devices</div>
<div class="visible-xs visible-sm text-danger">Extra Small and Small Devices</div>
</div>
</div>
Pre-Styled Components: Great Customization
Bootstrap’s pre-styled components such as Glyphicons, Labels, Navs, Navbar, Pager, Jumbotron, Button groups, Input groups, and many others offers great customization.
These components are available to use directly, and designers can integrate these elements into any website without making any changes or little changes as per requirements. Thus, Bootstrap’s is the answer to all customization challenges that were faced by designers earlier.
In addition to it, Bootstrap provides enhanced support for different HTML elements like buttons, lists, forms, typography, etc.
Built-In JavaScript Plugins
Whether it is dropdowns, popovers, carousel, modals, or animations, Bootstrap package consists of full support for JavaScript plugins.
<div id="myCarousel" class="carousel slide" data-ride="carousel">
<!-- Indicators -->
<ol class="carousel-indicators">
<li data-target="#myCarousel" data-slide-to="0" class="active"></li>
<li data-target="#myCarousel" data-slide-to="1"></li>
<li data-target="#myCarousel" data-slide-to="2"></li>
<li data-target="#myCarousel" data-slide-to="3"></li>
</ol>
<!-- Wrapper for slides -->
<div class="carousel-inner" role="listbox">
<div class="item active">
<img src="image1.jpg" alt="Img1">
</div>
<div class="item">
<img src="image2.jpg" alt="Img2">
</div>
<div class="item">
<img src="image3.jpg" alt="Img3">
</div>
<div class="item">
<img src="image4.jpg" alt="Img4">
</div>
</div>
<!-- Left and right controls -->
<a class="left carousel-control" href="#myCarousel" role="button" data-slide="prev">
<span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-left" aria-hidden="true"></span>
<span class="sr-only">Previous</span>
</a>
<a class="right carousel-control" href="#myCarousel" role="button" data-slide="next">
<span class="glyphicon glyphicon-chevron-right" aria-hidden="true"></span>
<span class="sr-only">Next</span>
</a>
</div>
To make a website dynamic and good looking, effects matter a lot, and if the project you are working on requires JS effects, then you can pick the features as per your requirements. You can visit Bootstrap page to choose the features, once you visited the page, tick off/on the features and download your custom version. I mean, what a great way it offers to choose features.
Easy Integration
Bootstrap has removed the need to code any website from the scratch as its ready-made chunks of codes can be implemented directly onto the site. Further, a website created in Bootstrap code offers great browser compatibility and CSS-Less functionality. Bootstrap sites can be easily integrated with any platforms and frameworks. However, you completely want to save your time and don’t want to put those hard efforts then you can purchase pre-designed Bootstrap themes and customize it as per your requirements.
Supreme Consistency
Bootstrap was built with an aim to provide tremendous support and flexibility to designers and developers.
Irrespective of the fact who is working on the project, Bootstrap ensures high consistency. On top of that, whether you are using Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Firefox, the feel and effects of the developed websites remain the same.
Fantastic Support
Within a short span of time, massive growth has been seen in the number of fans, followers, designers, and developers. Bootstrap offers good support community where you can get help regarding any of your issues.
Despite being a One of the biggest reason behind the success of Bootstrap is its fantastic online support. So, if you haven’t tried it, then giving it a shot would not be a bad idea.
Over to You
Having highlighted all the essential features, now, you have realized why in a short span of time; Bootstrap has become one of the top CSS frameworks for responsive website designing.
