What is framework? Definition & Explanation

In software projects, it is necessary not only to implement the functional requirements but also to create a high-quality software product with modern architecture. Frameworks enable the software developer to cope with this task quickly and at a high technological level.
 

What is a framework?

A framework is a software platform that determines the structure and architecture of the future software product. Each framework contains a pre-built “skeleton” – the templates, standard modules, and APIs available to the developer. While the framework offers basic software modules and technologies, the developer programs all other project-specific components and functions.
 

 

Why do you need a framework?

Frameworks simplify and accelerate the development and integration of various components and modules. A framework contains a number of different tools that you can use to solve routine, repetitive tasks. A suitable framework has all APIs, libraries, and basic modules required for basic functionality. There are useful frameworks for web, desktop, and mobile applications, as well as for front-end and back-end applications. Web frameworks – tools that facilitate the development and operation of a web application are particularly popular.
 

How do frameworks work?

A framework consists of a permanent and a variable part. The permanent part offers the basic functionality, which remains unchangeable, as well as expansion points to implement exchangeable modules. In the variable part, you will use the API to implement interchangeable modules to fill the application with project-specific functions and logic.

Frameworks offer easy access to various libraries, which can only be used within the framework of the specified architecture and the interaction of components. A framework is implemented as a series of classes and defines how they interact. Extension points are framework elements that act as placeholders and are implemented by the developer.

A framework-based project is about selecting a subset of the problem goals and their solution. The basic functionality is contained in concrete classes, and changeable specific functions can be implemented at extension points.
 

Known frameworks:

Examples of web frameworks are the PHP frameworks Zend, Symfony, and Django, written in Python. Other popular frameworks are:

• Bootstrap – front-end CSS framework for creating websites with an attractive layout and design.
• Vue.js – modular JS framework for single-page web applications.
• AngularJS – Google’s JS framework for dynamic web applications.
• .NET Framework – the current software development framework from Microsoft.

Cross-platform frameworks and toolkits for Linux, Mac and Windows are for example Widget, wxWidgets, C++, Qt, MyCoRe (Content Repository) and FOX(Framework for Object Explosion).
 

 

Benefits of frameworks

Frameworks provide applications with the following advantages:

• Security
• Expandability
• Scalability
• Maintainability
• Optimization
• Avoidance of server overload by prioritizing requests
• Requirements updates in the project life cycle
• Professional high performance applications

Frameworks provide infrastructure for complex software projects. Without a framework, you have to design and implement everything yourself. Software development from scratch gives you more freedom of implementation, but requires more responsibility and effort.

When choosing a framework, you should consider the architecture and application features, which are just as important as the functions. If you run into unclear bugs, problems, or difficulties, you should search for them. There developers share their experiences and help others to solve framework problems. Just ask your question and you will receive several possible solutions for free.
 

Conclusion :

Frameworks are useful tools that make it easy to develop and maintain applications. However, their use in software projects requires a certain amount of experience and professionalism. A framework simplifies the implementation by taking over all basic functions. With frameworks, you don’t have to write thousands of lines of code from scratch. This increases productivity improves product quality and shortens the development phase. For each type of application, you can find an optimal framework that meets the project requirements and enables fast software development.
 

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