Bootstrap - Bootstrap Installation Methods (CDN vs NPM vs Local Setup)

Before using Bootstrap in a project, you must properly include it in your environment. There are three primary installation methods, and understanding the difference is important for real-world development.

1. CDN (Content Delivery Network)
This is the simplest method. You include Bootstrap’s CSS and JS files directly from a remote server using <link> and <script> tags in your HTML. It requires no setup and is ideal for beginners, small projects, or prototypes. However, customization is limited because you cannot easily modify Bootstrap’s source files.

2. Local Download
You download Bootstrap files from the official website and include them in your project folder. This gives you more control and works without internet access. It is suitable for academic projects or basic static websites.

3. NPM (Node Package Manager) Installation
This is the professional approach used in modern development. You install Bootstrap using:

npm install bootstrap

This allows integration with build tools like Vite or Webpack. You can import only required components, customize Sass variables, reduce unused CSS, and optimize performance. This method is used in production-level applications.

In summary:

• Use CDN for quick learning or demos.

• Use Local files for offline/simple projects.

• Use NPM for scalable, real-world applications.