Framework Front-End Developer

Question

So I am a Front-End Developer. So far, I designed the website manually, and it has been fun and easy with me.

But today I got a job interview for the position of Front-End Developer (I hope I will be hired soon). In the interview, the interviewers (Back-End Developers) seems glad to see my portfolios. However, when they asked me about what kind of framework I used to use, I don't have any idea to answer it. So far, I just use bracket as my webs editor. And then they pointed out that they like bootstrap.

My question is, is it important for the front-end developer to use framework? what if I don't use any framework? I just read that framework or bootstrap makes us easier to construct our websites, but I just found it not natural and not easy to comprehend.

Answer 1

what if I don't use any framework?

(I'm assuming you mean a CSS framework specifically. Frontend JS frameworks are a whole other can of worms.)
It seems that companies often end up de facto creating their own CSS frameworks, although they don't always do so intentionally and don't always consciously think of their creation as a framework. So you may arguably end up using one anyway.
But your question seems to be more specifically about third-party general-purpose CSS frameworks, like Bootstrap or Foundation. By not using them, you lose out on:

• availability of integrated third-party extensions/plugins/widgets
• the extensive real-world battle-testing these frameworks have been put through and the corresponding fixes they've received
• saving work by not having to create many common widgets from scratch (including documentation)
• the ability to hire people who are already familiar with the framework you're using
• having knowledge of the framework be a fully transferable (and thus more valuable) skill

On the other hand, you gain:

• complete unbridled ability to customize things to suit your exact needs and personal tastes (Bootstrap & Foundation do offer a decent degree of customization, but there are limits and there are some basic design choices that cannot reasonably be changed)
• virtually no superfluous CSS, assuming you maintain things properly (although again, Bootstrap & Foundation both offer some level of ability to omit unwanted components)
• (I am sure there are some additional positives, but I am biased and tired and can't come up with more at the moment.)

Answer 2

So if you want your product/solution to be set according to industrial standards. My advice is yes - If we stick to the definition ... universal, reusable software platform to develop software applications, products and solutions.

Also you can take a look at this question and my answer with helpful resources.

• Cheers