What is the difference between bootstrap.css and bootstrap-theme.css found in the bootstrap file when we download bootstrap?
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7Well this is a valid question, but there is already an answer over here : http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18327543/how-to-use-bootstrap-theme-css-with-bootstrap-3 – DollarAkshay May 21 '16 at 16:53
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1Does this answer your question? [How to use bootstrap-theme.css with bootstrap 3?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/18327543/how-to-use-bootstrap-theme-css-with-bootstrap-3) – Ian Kemp Mar 02 '21 at 13:37
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bootstrap.css
is the core css for BootStrap that defines all the style for various controls/components, where as bootstrap-theme.css
defines the themes (gradient/animation) for buttons,dropdown menu,navbar,progressbar,panels.
Most of the times adding bootstrap.css
is enough for bootstrap to work, but for gradient/animation, you can use bootstrap-theme.css
.
You can see the difference on https://getbootstrap.com/docs/3.4/css/#buttons and then click on "Preview theme" from the very bottom of the menu on the right-hand side of the page.

Ian Kemp
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7Seems like calling it 'bootstrap-gradient-theme' or 'bootstrap-alternative-theme' would have cut down on some confusion. – d512 Feb 19 '17 at 19:15