Bootstrap and its Features

Bootstrap was introduced for the first time on August 19, 2011. Bootstrap is a front-end focused, free to use and share library which is used for designing websites and applications. Websites and applications that can be designed using Bootstrap are compatible with both iOS and Android.

BootStrap Design Templates

Bootstrap contains a variety of design templates. These design templates are based on and work with the following:

• HTML
• CSS
• Less (version 3)
• Sass (version 4)
• JavaScript Extensions (Optional).

Background

Bootstrap was originally named “Twitter blueprint.” In the beginning, it was just made as a framework to endorse and support consistency across internal tools. Before Bootstrap, there were several libraries that were being used for the development of interfaces. A large number of libraries caused a lot of inconsistencies. Along with the actual developer, Mark Otto and a few colleagues (several other team members from Twitter) contributed to this project in the Twitter "Hack Week." Bootstrap was then introduced as an open source project. It had a twelve-column responsive grid layout system. It was no longer used solely as an internal tool maintainer for Twitter.

Versions of Bootstrap

On October 29, 2014, Mark Otto announced that Bootstrap 4 was in development. The first ever alpha version of Bootstrap 4 released on August 19, 2015. The first beta version of Bootstrap released on August 10, 2017. The stable version of Bootstrap 4 was released on January 18, 2018. In short, getbootstrap.com is constantly working to improve and improvise the interface to so that it can appeal and help a large variety of people.

Bootstrap 4

This year, 2018, the newest version of Bootstrap has been introduced. It has been named "Bootstrap 4." This version has been claimed to be a newer and more advanced version of the previous version, "Bootstrap 3."

Changes in Bootstrap 4

A lot of changes have been made. These changes include:

• Switching from pixels to root ems.
• Global font-size was increased from 14px to 16px.
• The panel, the thumbnail, and the well components were dropped in favor of cards.
• The Glyphicons icon font was dropped.
• The pager component was dropped.

Appealing Features of Bootstrap

Bootstrap has a lot of features. These features not only make it stand out, but they also make it more popular even among those web designers who like to take things in a very conventional way.

1. Easy to Begin With

It is pretty easy, to begin with. Being easy to get started with is probably the first quality which makes Bootstrap very appealing.

2. LESS as Well as CSS Files

Bootstrap not only offers LESS files but also includes the old CSS files.

3. Easily Customizable

Despite the fact that Bootstrap is designed in responsive 12-column grids, layouts, and components, it is also very easy to customize. Whether you need a fixed grid or a responsive one, it can be made possible by making a few changes. Offsetting and nesting of columns are also easy to do in both CPU-based and mobile-based browser grids.

4. Responsive Utility Classes

Another prominent feature of Bootstrap is its responsive utility classes. Using responsive utility classes, a particular piece of content can be made to appear or hide only on devices depending on the size of the screen being used. This feature is extremely helpful for designers who want to make a mobile and tablet-friendly version of their websites.

5. Components of Bootstrap

Some of the components that come pre-styled in Bootstrap are:

• Drop-downs
• Button
• Navigation
• Badges Alerts
• Progress Bar

6. Drop-Down Component Menu

The drop-down component menu is a responsive additive feature of a website. To include it in a website, a lot of different plugins, mostly Java-based, are tested. But, via Bootstrap and its easy customizing options, this can easily be done in a matter of minutes.

7. Bootstrap Templates

The readily available templates make it easier for inexperienced users to create a website following a simple tutorial or demo available on the Bootstrap.

Drawback of Bootstrap

Everything has its pros and cons. We have talked about the features that make Bootstrap appealing. Now we will discuss a few flaws and drawbacks of Bootstrap. One of the biggest drawbacks is its free availability. Since it is a "Free for all" program, there are higher chances of people using common themes on their individual websites. Now, there is big competition to develop the most unique and different website using the same library that maybe 10,000+ people are already using or have used. Due to increased use in this modern day and time where websites have such a big part of a person’s everyday life, it has become quite easy to determine which websites and applications have used the same template unless they have been heavily and massively customized.

Examples of Usage of Bootstrap

Bootstrap has custom components. These components and templates were developed to help people quickly get started with Bootstrap. The custom components include the following:

1. Album

This is a pretty simple one-page template. It is used for photo galleries, portfolios, and a lot more.

2. Pricing

With this custom component, a pricing page can be built with Cards. It features a custom header and footer as well.

3. Checkout

This component provides you with a Custom checkout form. The form components are shown along with their validation features as well.

4. Cover

This is a one-page template. It is used to build pretty simple and appealing home pages.

5. Blog

This is a magazine like a blog template. It includes

• Header
• Navigation
• Featured content

6. Dashboard

It is a basic administrator dashboard shell. It has a fixed sidebar and navigation bar.

7. Product

With this template, you can create a marketing page that is focused on the product. It includes an extensive grid and beautiful image work as well.

Conclusion

Bootstrap is becoming the world’s favorite front-end component library. Using Bootstrap, you can easily build responsive, mobile-first projects on the web. You can quickly prototype your unique ideas. You can build an entire application using their Sass variables, powerful plugins, extremely responsive grid system, and a lot more.