As a newbie, when is it ok to use a framework and/or plugins such as Bootstrap and jQuery jpScroll?

Hey man, similar dude in in a similar boat re transition and change. Big thing in this world is not to re-invent.. so for sure use these frameworks if your projects benefit from so in the end.. but also try to broaden your portfolio by having pure built projects as well.. but in the long run don't shy away from them.. my first website used Bootstrap and my second one used media queries.. hope that helps and best of luck

I would NOT recommend you learning frameworks before you know what the framework is doing, or if you just want to be a Ruby/Python/Java guy then go ahead use frameworks. If you want to be a front end guy, don't use frameworks until you know vanilla CSS and Sass. Once you are comfortable and have a good understanding of the base principles, framework it up. Personally I hate them, but you will need to know it at some point.

Hi everybody, hi Jacob,

@Jacob, I totally agree with you on having a good understanding of front-end basics before diving into frameworks. I personally have a hard time with Bootstrap because of this. So I'll focus on the front-end track first. But just out of my personal curiosity (and learning proces:)) I was wondering why is it you 'hate' frameworks?

Thanks!

Mireille Bonapart Here are some reasons why I don't like frameworks:

1. bloated: 5000+ lines of CSS and JavaScript that you will never use.

2. Load time: due to the boated nature of frameworks the load time can be bad.

3. Cookie-cutter: every site looks the same. Its very easy to tell that a framework was used.

Those are my 3 gripes with frameworks and I think for most people as well who are not huge into them.

The main issue I want to stress about frameworks is that IF you are just starting out learning the basics of web design, its very important to Know how HTML and CSS work. That's why its the first course for almost if not every track here on Treehouse. You need to know the basics and can be able to hand code a simple static site. Its about learning, learning how semantics and cascading and markup work and interact with each other, it's a huge issue when first learning.

Frameworks are used allover, and I get that. A lot of Developers are using frameworks for several reasons:

1. Time Saver: way more fast to code, you can pump out sites twice as fast.

2. Grids- creating grids can be rough, sometimes its just easier to use a foundations gird and just go from there.

3. Prototyping- its great to just make a quick site to see what direction you are going, and for a client to see progress prior to launch.

"Exactly so. I’ve not said that you should use a framework 100% of the time for every project you ever code.

But it’s also not true that 100% of the time, you should code everything from scratch.

The trick is always knowing what works best when in what situation. Ultimately, that’s what’s going to make you a successful web developer."

Here is a great quote from Jen Kramer, she is an online educator, and writer article on frameworks

In conclusion of this rant, I will say After you have a basic understanding of HTML/CSS, then framework it up, when looking for employment you will need to know them, but most importantly Know your Craft, and you will be a successful web developer.

I hope this helps.