I am considering implementing Bootstrap into some of my projects, and as I was going through their documentation, it occurred to me that, as someone who is still not an HTML and CSS master, all of this prebuilt styling could make me, well, lazy, I suppose. Do you think it is a good idea for relative beginners to use Bootstrap on their projects, or would you recommend that learners wait until they are very proficient with HTML and CSS before learning it?
I would like to add that I have already completed the Responsive Web Design course and can successfully build somewhat elaborate webpages.
Is Bootstrap a valuable skill? Is it worthwhile to get very proficient in? Is it okay to use for our own projects? I would like to avoid cheating in my work - that is all.
I would always suggest learning CSS as much as possible no matter what.
Using CSS frameworks is fine. It keeps a consistent look and allows for faster turnaround. But relying on it to the point that you can’t make a site without it is problematic.
Knowing Bootstrap is good, but you do not need to be very proficient in it unless your work calls for it.
As a learner, I would keep to plain CSS in the beginning to learn it. Then switch to a framework later as needed.
Hello,
While Bootstrap is indeed a valuable skill, you do not have to be very proficient in HTML and CSS to use it, you do however have to be proficient at SCSS to be able to customize it easily since Bootstrap is built with SCSS.
As with bootstrap itself, learn the basics, play around with it, make sure to read the documentation and build one or two projects with it just to get the hang of it. Do not waste too much time trying to be proficient in it, just grab the basics and get familiar with how the framework works then move on to more important topics
I will take your advice. I have never intended to stop learning CSS because of Bootstrap or other frameworks. Basically, a rough rule is that one should not use a CSS framework for something unless he/she can build that something similar himself, right? Frameworks just save time.
It is good to know that I do not necessarily have to be very proficient in Bootstrap. Thanks for the info.
I have been looking into Sass lately already, so what you say encourages me to build a few small projects with it. It seems like the best way forward is to play around a little with these frameworks until, as you say, I get the basics, and then resume the classic path of regular HTML, CSS and JS.