Bootstrap: A Better Approach to Building Powerful and Rapid Websites and Web Applications

Bootstrap: A Better Approach to Building Powerful and Rapid Websites and Web Applications

by Justin Nthiga

Bootstrap is a free collection of HTML, CSS and JavaScript code that was created by Twitter to help web designers to build fast and consistent websites. Bootstrap provides a variety of powerful tools that are a huge benefit to website developers.

Bootstrap 3.2.0 was released in June, 2014 as the first patch of the V3.2.x release series. It focused on CSSS bug fixes, improvements of documentation and further refinements to its build tools.

What New in Bootstrap 3.2?

Tools

While Bootstrap is solid, there's no harm to seek out more design tools that will make our lives easier when developing. The following are a bunch of bootstrap design tools that you'll be using in 2014 and beyond.

1. Jetstrap

Jetstrap is common tool that is used by designers to make mockups on the Bootstrap framework. Beyond being a mockup took, it as well comprises lots of markups for designers to quickly and easily create the interface effects that they require. It's 100 percent web-based and has a trial account for one to take it for spin.

2. Divshot.com

Divshot is a front development tool that works with various frameworks including Bootstrap. It comprises of several useful features like the visual editor, theme switcher and component libraries. The shortcoming is that it isn't a free tool but you'll get a quality product.

3. Bootply.com

Bootply is a visual editor that relies on a drag and drop interface to quickly create Bootstrap designs. It's incredibly reliable, easy to use and free.

4. GetkickStrap.com

Kickstrap is mainly a front-end layer on top of Bootstrap such that you will never see the backend code. A design simply needs to pick which CSS or Jscript components to apply while developing the site. Additionally, there are extra stuff like themes and other User Interface components to make front-end development a lot easier.

5. Button Generator

If you simply want a quick and free way of generating buttons for your bootstrap project, you can try it. It' simple but it will get the job done fast and without any hassle. Best of all, it comes free.

Bootstrap Templates

1. Simplicity

Simplicity is a premium fully-responsive admin pack with modern flat design. It' built using the Bootstrap 3 Framework.

2. Neon

Neon is a flat administrator template for multipurpose usage. It's built using the latest version of Bootstrap 3. It comprises of over 60 HTML files which offer various great layout options and resources. It'll be extended in the future updates with newer plug-ins and pages.

3. ProUI

ProUI overwrites the default Bootstrap style to match its own as it extends it to a bigger degree without being very complicated and losing its simplicity. Even if you're not conversant with this framework, components of the template can be easily replicated without losing your focus on development. It's a professional, contemporary and flexible administrator skin solution and can be utilized in building all types of projects like web applications or backend website solutions.