Updated March 14, 2023
Introduction to Bootstrap Layout
The following article provides an outline for Bootstrap Layout. We are living in a world where the Internet has become a vital part of our lives. Digitalization across the globe is transforming businesses in an amazing way. In this digitally interconnected world, the need for creating a strong and responsive web presence is of paramount importance. Whether it is a smartphone, iPad, laptop, or desktop, it is vital to have the same viewing experience across every platform.
Bootstrap is a front-end, open-source framework with a combination of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. Generally, Bootstrap is used to create responsive, mobile-friendly web pages. With Bootstrap’s latest version, it is possible to reorder or resize few components. This enables the user to get a convenient size for reading. The layout of the bootstrap consists of containers, an effective grid system, responsive utility classes, and a media object.
Types of Bootstrap Layout
Types of bootstrap layouts depend upon which type of container is used.
There are 2 types of layout:
- .Container-fluid (Fluid Layout)
- .Container (Fixed Layout)
While creating a responsive layout, you have an option to choose from one of two containers. One can create a responsive website with both containers. These containers are different in certain aspects. The fluid layout has a maximum width, while the fixed-layout has certain pixel width values to change the width. The fluid layout continuously resizes whenever the window’s or browser’s width is changed.
How to use the Bootstrap Layout Efficiently?
- As we already know, this framework consists of numerous elements- containers, an effective grid system, responsive utility classes, and media objects. This grid system of the Bootstrap framework is made of three components, namely: Container – Row – Columns.
- A Container is an element that effectively holds rows and columns and plays a vital role in offering the correct width to a particular layout. Rows-.row is a class component that discharges the padding menu and acts as a wrapper all over the columns. In Bootstrap, different column class prefixes are used for the diverse size of devices.
- This structure of container, row, and column is responsible for making a web page responsive. All of them together create an effective content block on the page. Such as a body of article or features of the product and so on.
- Whatever is being listed on the page is considered a content block. The first step towards creating a responsive website is to wrap the entire content in .container. It is nothing but a mini canvas where we keep our content. It limits the place width. These are used to give a specific width according to the viewport. With .container-fluid, you can give maximum width to the given viewport. With the help of this, it can create a full-width page layout.
- After that, we place .row element in .container. This step is important for the perfect alignment of the content element that we place inside. The latest version of the Bootstrap framework uses a styling approach-flexbox with the row elements. It is possible to achieve all types of sizing, distribution, ordering, and alignment by just adding some classes.
- In the end, we place .col-elements inside the row. .col-elements are nothing but an actual column that holds content. If we consider the example of a feature list, each feature is placed in its respective column. Columns work in hand with containers and rows to provide responsive behavior to the webpage.
- The function of the column is to display inline down to a certain width of the viewport. Columns take a defined fraction of it and stacking over one another when the viewport gets smaller and fills the entire available width. We can see a few columns if the screen is wider, or else, we can see columns one by one; in this way, we can get a responsive, easy to read website with an effective layout.
Configuration of Bootstrap Layout
Mentioned below are the configuration:
1. Container
This is the main layout element in Bootstrap. Containers are used while using a built-in grid system. As we have discussed already, we have two choices of the container as a fixed layout container and the fluid layout container. In bootstrap, this can be nested, but in most of the layout, there is no need for a nested container. Container-fluid is nothing, but a full-width container used to view the entire view while .container has specific pixel values to change the width.
2. Responsive Breakpoints
In Bootstrap, there is the need to create sensible breakpoints for layouts and interfaces as it is mainly used to develop mobile-friendly websites. These breakpoints work on the principle of minimum viewport widths. According to viewport changes, breakpoints enable to scale up elements.
3. Z-index
Few components use z-index for an arrangement of content. Z-index offers the third axis for the proper arrangement of content with control over the layout. This Z-index is specifically used to layer navigation, models, tooltips and popovers, etc. These higher values start at an arbitrary number to avoid difficulties. Across layered components such as popovers, tooltips, navbar, dropdowns, there is a need for a standard set of Z-index for consistent behavior.
There is no need to change these values. If you change one value, then you have to change the entire values of the Z-index. Single-digit z-index values are used in handling the overlapping of borders within components. Higher index values are used to bring a certain element to the front. With this framework, one can set five-column appearances. But a maximum of three-column appearances can give you the best viewing experience.
Conclusion
The above sections of this post have highlighted an essential point regarding the Bootstrap layout. This post gives information about the different types of layout and bootstrap layout elements-its fundamentals and their working. With the help of this guide, you can get the basic idea of responsive web design and framework. With the help of Bootstrap, it is possible to display the best content on any screen and develop a mobile-ready, responsive website with ease. For beginners as well as for IT enthusiasts, this piece of information can help them to explore the world of Bootstrap technology.
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