An Overview of Bootstrap Framework

The Web nowadays, is not something that can only be seen on desktops, rather we now carry it in our pockets. This is now a global trend, which is sure to grow in the time to come. So, the odds are that many people may have not seen the desktop version of certain websites, as they access the web only through their smartphones. Hence, to cover all potential consumers, a website needs to be scalable across varying screen sizes for the best experience, both through looks and functions. Further, the content needs to be trimmed down to its most vital elements.

With desktop versions already existing, the main area of concern was what is to be trimmed and what is to be slid down. Two approaches available – one was to build a responsive website design targeting specific devices and viewport sizes; whereas, the second being starting out with a design for the mobile first, with gradual enhancements for larger platforms with fewer constraints.

Bootstrap Framework

The Bootstrap framework provides an easy way of crafting website designs and allows website design services to create greatly optimized mobile designs. It efficiently scales up the website and applications with a single code base. Bootstrap includes a responsive, mobile first fluid grid system that appropriately scales up to 12 columns with an increase in viewport sizes. This Grid System is used for creating page layouts with the help of rows and columns. In simple terms, the content in bootstrap can be divided into a maximum of 12 columns. Then, depending on the device accessing the site, the content is condensed down to 6, 4, 3 or less. This also works in portrait/landscape/orientation of the devices. Here, the app detects the pixel size of the accessing device and adjusts the columns accordingly.

Mobile-first Approach

With a mobile-first approach at its core, the Bootstrap grid system builds mobile first, responsive websites, for small screens and then scales up the designs from there for the devices with larger display screen. It uses a mix of HTML5 markup, compiled and minified CSS Styling and JavaScript. With Bootstrap, one can create transition effects, drop-down menus, cover pages, image galleries, dashboards, sticky footers, progress bars, buttons, pagination and the ScrollSpy plugin. Its template designs include features like tables, forms, navigation styles, typography and more. To use JavaScript add-ons with Bootstrap, it is sufficient to refer to the jQuery library in the HTML. It also has its own jQuery plugins that can be individually used and compiled. Furthermore, BootstrapWP, is a downloadable version of the framework which can be used for designing WordPress sites.

Using Bootstrap does not mean your website needs to look like Bootstrap. Top website development companies can customize the designs to an ultimate level using innovative techniques and color illusions that can make your design stand different from generic looking designs. Bootstrap lets developers design front-ends with little knowledge of HTML or CSS. Hence, Bootstrap is extremely flexible whether it is being applied to static HTML, custom PHP-coded site or a CMS.

Conclusion

Bootstrap has finally turned out to be the trendiest front-end design  framework. The main reason for its success is the huge number of resources accessible through it. It holds a very big online community and help is easily available. It is always kept updated and is presently available in GitHub for download.