The advantages of taking advantage of a CSS framework
I am a software development student and still exploring-learning the many tools available for any web project and just like when I was in bootcamp in the army, I first learned the basics of any given skill before I was introduced to advanced tools or technologies. For example, in marksmanship in the Army, I learned how to aim true using iron sights factory built on the rifle before I was given laser scopes, infrared pointers, or night vision lenses. This relates to writing CSS as I’ve written my first web applications using my brutalist custom CSS before being exposed to frameworks such as Bootstrap, boilerplates like Skeleton, and custom enterprise style guides such as from Airbnb.
The well documented disadvantages of using pre-written code is that the code can be hard to modify, the code is consistent across many ‘other’ websites (example), external libraries are bulky. (1)
The well documented advantages are that the code is easy and doesn’t need to be modified. The code is consistent across many notable websites (example). The codes can pack a lot (bulky) of utility to handle any common or uncommon styling needs (2)
Since I am not going to write my own library and if I did, it would not be as good as bootstraps, as an example, I see the disadvantages not as spectrally polar but parallel to the advantages.
The advantages of well-documented, tested, and proven pre-written code is allegorical to standing on the shoulders of giants. A solid library is compiled from tested wisdom, experience, and practice. It is hard to modify because it doesn’t need to be modified when used in a contextually meaningful way. Similarly, the dis/advantages of consistency are actually adherence to wise practices that work superbly in the areas of UI, UX, responsiveness, accessibility and aesthetics; all areas that are time consuming and challenging to implement holistically in a project. To the ‘disadvantage’ of bulk, I see the advantages of comprehensive and versatile utility. A strong library can be used to concisely develop an element of a or entire web project without trying to reinvent the wheel every single time.
The fundamentals are key in the pursuit of knowledge and mastery, and so is embracing knowledge and mastery.
