Anyone who codes with XHTML/CSS and integrates it with server-side code (ie: PHP) will know that there are bucket-loads of frameworks out there to help “simplify” the coding process, making it easier, faster, more reliable, etc; currently I’m trying to learn “CodeIgnitor”, a MVC rails-like framework built for PHP4 and, am looking at its main rival, “CakePHP” as well.
In terms of AJAX, there are literally thousands of frameworks – prototype, jQuery (my current favorite), mootools, DOJO, etc, etc…
But now there’s a framework for building CSS very quickly; blueprint.
Blueprint is a CSS framework, which aims to cut down on your CSS development time. It gives you a solid CSS foundation to build your project on top of, with an easy-to-use grid, sensible typography, and even a stylesheet for printing.
I’ve looked at it, and it looks pretty straight-forward, I’m not sure how it would fare with bigger, or more complex CSS/XHTML layouts — but it looks like its a very good system, and there’s already a bit of a buzz about the framework.
It’s one to watch.
Links;
Blueprint (Googlecode)
I keep trying to learn frameworks but it’s more fun for me to reinvent the wheel each time. My biggest problem is they encourage ignorance of the underlying technology, so someone who makes extensive use of a CSS reset stylesheet is, unlikely to know the quirks of the various browsers when their CSS framework isn’t an option. That said, I suspect I’m in the minority!