Why not bootstrap??

Hi,

I'm a .net developer just started working with nopcommerce. What i've seen so far it is really nice in terms of functionality and extensibility. But why aren't nopcommerce using a css framework people know, preferebly bootstrap?? A huge recommendation from me to the developers of nopcommerce. Make this happen please.

anteb wrote:

A custom nopCommerce site with integrated css framework that relies on a specific html structure (you basically use predefined class names to "call" various features in Bootstrap) will be quite difficult to maintain over time. Imagine all the work you have to do on such site when you decide to upgrade your nopCommerce version - too much custom markup to be merged.

But anyway, Bootstrap became popular a while back mostly because it provided a "mobile ready" responsiveness for websites, which is something that is not needed here, because nopCommerce has its own responsive layout.


Regards
/ Hristo

Hello,

In addition to what Hristo said I would like to add

In the process of developing Nop-Templates.com themes we had a lot of discussions about Bootstrap, but in the end, we decided to dismiss it as a possible approach and if you are interested I can explain the reasons for that.

1. It does not follow the best practices.
One of the major issues I have with Twitter Bootstrap is that you end up with a whole lot of DOM elements crammed full of classes. This breaks one of the fundamental rules of good web design, the HTML is no longer semantic and the presentation is no longer separate from the content

2. The Responsive version of the Website is not optimal.
Actually, Bootstrap does not give you a truly responsive design. Bootstrap gives you 4 break points and almost nothing more. The idea of the responsive design is not that you can shrink the content of your website so that it fits on a smaller device. The idea is to build a layout based on the purpose of the website, that allows users to access the information as easily as they would have if they were browsing from a desktop machine.

3. Your Design in Limited.
The 12 column layout with 4 breakpoints is a huge restriction on the possibilities of your design. Having a predefined frame that you are not allowed to go out of can result in similar and boring looks of your website.

4. It is Lazy, not better.
If you are capable of writing good CSS you can achieve everything that Bootstrap gives you and beyond that with not a lot of work and you will get rid of the conflicts that you can experience when using class-based grid systems.

5. You will not be taken seriously.
Bootstrap is often considered a tool that is used by people who have limited knowledge of front-end. So if you decide to use it on your project it is very likely that you will not be taken seriously by someone that is familiar with that matter.

There is more that can be discussed about that, but I believe that in that five points I pointed out the biggest disadvantages of Bootstrap. Of course, this is only my opinion on the matter and if anyone else has something to add I will be happy to read it.

/Nikola

Nop-Templates.com wrote:

I cant argue with the above, most of it are true, however it applies to all third party packages that nop commerce uses. U can write jquey or any other package but u still use it.

there are many advantages using bootstrap I thing its perfect for a project like nop commerce that most of the community are .net developers and not designers.

I find bootstrap very easy and useful with a lot of online support and themes. I think the default theme have to be done with bootstrap since it a simple structure to design a complex theme on top of it.

I would vote for bootstrap as the default theme, I think it is a must

Hello Hezyz,

I think your comparison between Bootstrap and other 3rd party tools is not entirely accurate in this case. jQuery for example is not forcing you to do constant markup changes in order to use it.

Just think about the scenario I mentioned above - a custom nopCommerce website that has tons of markup changes to fully utilize Bootstrap layout and functionality, with a structure far beyond the default theme. How much work and trouble will be to upgrade such site to a next nopCommerce version?

I understand that most nopCommerce builders are developers, not designers, and they need a quick solution for styling, but still I think Bootstrap will do more harm than good (regarding nopCommerce).


Regards
/ Hristo

I have created a default clean bootstrap theme, there is no different of limitation
u can create anything with bootstrap

by the way I love your themes and your work but if u look at a theme for the community bootstrap is the one to go

Nop-Templates.com wrote:
If you design theme to work with particular version of bootstrap, it does not forcing you to made any changes later. If you decide to use new version of jQuery, it force you to made changes. I think comparison of bootstrap library and any other library is accurate. Separate discussion should be about frequency of library upgrades and/or result of not upgrading library`s. And still need to remember about community, this same community that increases the number of people using such great software as nopCommerce is.

Regards,
Tom

Let me clarify. What i think nop should be using is the bootstrap grid css. All the other stuff is not needed.

https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/twitter-bootstrap/4.2.1/css/bootstrap-grid.css

One thing about using bootstrap or another framework is being able to change the colors and common settings with variables then recompile the css using the sass or less files with gulp or similar.

The way its done at the moment, colors and other basic settings like border radius are scattered all throughout the styles.css file, and using px instead of em or rem is pretty old school now.

Also, css frameworks have worked out all the browser quirks for you, so you dont have to worry about those (most of the time).

BTW, nopCommerce already has some of the theme written using Bootstrap. One of them is Bootstrap Core Theme  which is a Responsive Starter Theme using Bootstrap.