We're gearing up for a hackathon in 17 days and feeling a bit lost! Our plan is to dive into learning React.js and Next.js, but React is proving to be quite tricky, and Tailwind feels overwhelming too. We have a solid grasp of HTML and CSS, but I'm wondering if sticking to regular CSS might be smarter for us. I've also been thinking about whether Bootstrap could simplify things, especially for components like buttons and forms.
On top of that, we're using Google Firebase but don't fully understand how to leverage it. Is it sufficient for our project, or should we consider learning SQL as well? Any guidance or tips on how to navigate this learning curve would be super helpful!
1 Answer
If you already know CSS, you might want to stick to it instead of diving into Tailwind or Bootstrap right away. These frameworks can slow you down if you're not familiar with them. However, Bootstrap can be great for pre-made components like buttons and modals, which can save you time during the hackathon.
As for Firebase, it uses a NoSQL database similar to MongoDB, which should be more than adequate for your project. SQL isn't necessary unless you require advanced relational features. You can totally manage with just Firebase's NoSQL setup!
Sounds like a solid plan to use standard CSS and only pull in Bootstrap or Tailwind when you need to spice up specific elements. Just keep it simple!

Yeah, Bootstrap components are super handy for hackathons! They really take the edge off the basic UI work.
And yeah, Firestore's NoSQL is definitely enough for most projects. You can structure your data effectively to minimize needing complex queries, and the real-time sync is a game changer for presentations.