[Locked] Bootstrap css, what is the purpose?

Just so everyone knows who is locking this thread, i am.

This discussion has now gone so far of topic that it has nothing to do with the original question.

Paula.

Sorry Michelle, I live in another time zone and only get to see the majority of posts when I arise from a good night's sleep. What I am about to say will make the whole thing even more confusing, so please skip the next part and go straight to my last line.

Anyone been to the Bootstrap site lately? The problems with Dreamweaver have already started! For anyone starting out now (Dreamweaver and the included Bootstrap) are going to find themselves in all sorts of strife. Even @Teodor, DMXZone, are now behind the eight ball.

Edit: It looks like the Bootstrap link does not work. Try http://getbootstrap.com/

I have created a few sites using Bootstrap 4; in my latest site I used Grid with Flexbox as a backup for the browsers that have not caught up / will not be updated. Still needs some tidying up, but seems to have the correct outcome.

For those that are interested, the following is what my SCSS looks like

/*
General Layout
*/
html {
height: 100%;
font-family: Arial;
font-weight: 400;
overflow-y: scroll;
@include media-breakpoint-up(xl) {
background: url(../img/left-column.png) left top no-repeat fixed, url(../img/right-column.png) right top no-repeat fixed, url(../img/html-bg.png) center repeat;
background-size: 39vh;
}
}
body {
height: 100%;
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
.container {
max-width: 576px;
@include media-breakpoint-up(md) {
max-width: 1200px;
}
}
.content {
background-color: white;
flex: 1 0 auto;
}
/*
Home Page Layout
*/
#home.content {
display: flex;
flex-flow: row wrap;
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 60% 40%;
grid-template-areas:
"main-area main-area"
"right-sidebar left-sidebar";
>.col-main {
flex: 1 100%;
grid-area: main-area;
}
>.col-left {
flex: 2 0;
grid-area: left-sidebar;
}
>.col-right {
flex: 3 0;
grid-area: right-sidebar;
}
@include media-breakpoint-up(sm) {
grid-template-columns: 20% 50% 30%;
grid-template-areas:
"left-sidebar main-area right-sidebar";
>.col-main {
order: 2;
flex: 5 0;
}
>.col-left {
order: 1;
flex: 2 0;
}
>.col-right {
order: 3;
flex: 3 0;
}
}
}
/*
Contact Page Layout
*/
#contact.content {
display: flex;
flex-flow: row wrap;
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 100%;
grid-template-areas:
"main-area"
"right-sidebar";
>.col-main {
flex: 1 100%;
grid-area: main-area;
}
>.col-right {
flex: 1 100%;
grid-area: right-sidebar;
}
@include media-breakpoint-up(sm) {
grid-template-columns: 50% 50%;
grid-template-areas:
"main-area right-sidebar";
>.col-main {
flex: 1 0;
}
>.col-right {
flex: 1 0;
}
}
}

Just two breakpoints

• mobile
• the rest

In this period of transition/confusion, Al's Harmony Vibrations​ may be the best option for new-comers to web design/development. That way the newbie can learn HTML/CSS while creating the site.

To get part way back to the OP's question.

What is missing in Dw is alternative starter pages, such as ones using flexbox, and now css grid layouts that anyone can use, and decide which they think is the best to use for their planned layout(s).

The problem with providing those is that even if Dw did provide them, it is missing features to make working with them easier for users.

I 2nd the advice to learn HTML & CSS before you begin projects.  It's a necessary skill. 

To get the most out of Bootstrap, learn the 12-box grid system and Bootstrap's built-in CSS classes.  The 12-box grid allows you to make custom responsive layouts for xs, sm, md, & lg devices. The built-in classes allow you to leverage Bootstrap without custom CSS coding.  Used correctly, the Bootstrap framework can save you a lot of time.

If you want another color scheme, Bootswatch has free themes for Bootstrap online.  https://bootswatch.com/

To use these themes, simply replace the link to your current Bootstrap CSS with the Bootswatch theme of choice from Max CDN.  Bootswatch · BootstrapCDN by MaxCDN

Cerulean Example: 

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://maxcdn.bootstrapcdn.com/bootswatch/3.3.7/cerulean/bootstrap.min.css">

Advanced users often generate a custom Bootstrap build, tailored to their specifications with LESS variables & mixins.  You can download the complied CSS or use the  LESS pre-processor files in DW.  It's your choice.

https://getbootstrap.com/docs/3.3/customize/

You have lots of options for working with Bootstrap in DW.   But take some time to get familiar with it.

• Bootstrap 3 Tutorial
• Bootstrap 12-box Grid Overview
  http://getbootstrap.com/examples/grid/
• Bootstrap CSS Overview
  http://getbootstrap.com/css/

It's not a simple question. If you are a web designer then you should probably learn the fundamentals of coding and CSS before deciding whether or not to use Bootstrap. Adobe has historically grabbed free code (which Bootstrap is) and stuffed into Dreamweaver to add perceived value. Dreamweaver's developers, unfortunately, are likely not very good web designers themselves or they'd probably have built their own page-building solutions. That said, Bootstrap CSS is massive as the library must attempt to be all things to all people. For that reason, the core Bootstrap CSS should not be altered. To customize, you must make what I call exception CSS rules, contained in an additional CSS file. These rules would basically be additive -- added as additional class names to elements already assigned a Bootstrap class. If you don't understand this, Bootstrap is very likely going to lead to some very difficult times for you, in which case...

You can look for easier to edit CSS templates online or you can invest in Dreamweaver page-building extensions designed around automated interfaces that install inside Dreamweaver, and that provide free customer support via actual developers, rather than offshore employees who read from scripts.

So you probably have some research to do and decisions to make.

Some of the people who will be responding to you do not necessarily use Dreamweaver, nor do they believe in investing in add-on tools. But if you want to explore that avenue, you would look at these pages, along with its attendant examples and documentation:

Harmony Vibrations