What is a Framework?

When it comes to software development, a framework is a foundational structure that provides standardized tools and guidelines for building applications. A framework typically includes an array of software components (such as functions, classes, and templates) to help streamline common tasks. These common tasks can include anything from data requests to rendering web pages.

The purpose of a framework is to provide a base from which to build your application. Having those predefined components helps developers get a headstart on an application without having to write everything from scratch. The main purpose of a framework is to make the development process as straightforward as possible so that those working can focus on the actual application without having to worry about the tools they are using. In this post, we will explore what a framework is, elaborate on why people would use one, and discuss the types of frameworks that exist.

In This Post:

• What is a Framework?
• Types of Frameworks
• Common Misconceptions

What is a Framework?

You can think of a framework as a shopping mall with no actual shops in it. A mall, by itself, provides the foundation and has all essential components and infrastructure: walls, floors, water, power, elevators and escalators, security, and so on.

A framework is very similar to a mall in that regard. It has built-in components and functions that comprise the basic structure and tools needed to build an application. By utilizing a framework, developers do not need to worry about the underlying architecture. In the same way, a shop in a mall can focus on its business instead of having to build walls; a developer can focus on the features and functionality of their application.

To elaborate further on that, here are the key characteristics frameworks typically share.

• Reusable Code and Libraries - Frameworks offer pre-written functions, libraries, and components that developers can use, avoiding writing repetitive code;
• Predefined Architecture - As we mentioned in our example, frameworks offer a pre-built and structured layout of code, making it easier for developers to set up their applications;
• Customization and Scalability - Because a framework is only the foundation, developers can customize their application any way they need. That includes scaling the application's functionality up or down depending on what is necessary;
• Built-in Tools and Features - Aside from being a foundation upon which to build, frameworks also often come with tools for common tasks: user authentication, data handling, or UI rendering. Not having to code or outsource those also helps to make development more efficient.

Because of these characteristics, frameworks can actually improve and streamline development significantly. The reusable code alone saves a lot of time that would otherwise be spent rewriting the same code repeatedly where it is needed. It also reduces the risk of mistakes that can occur when developers have to do repetitive – and sometimes mundane – tasks when no reusable code is present. On top of that, because of that reusable code and the specific coding structure that frameworks use, consistency across a team will be far greater. That helps to keep the code clean and ensures each team member can understand the code. With such clean code, adding new features is far easier.

Finally, frameworks are often developed by experienced engineers and receive frequent updates. Combined with their built-in tools and features, a framework can greatly reduce error frequency and improve reliability.

Types of Frameworks

There are three types of frameworks for web development: front-end, back-end, and mobile development. Data science and game development frameworks are also available, but they are not used for web applications.

Regardless of its type, each framework is typically built using a specific coding language—for example, JavaScript, Python, PHP, etc. To use a framework, developers must know how to use the respective coding language. While a framework does streamline the process and offers many valuable tools, it is not a CMS where you can create a website with almost no coding knowledge.

With that in mind, here is a quick rundown of the three main web development framework types.

• Front-end Frameworks - These frameworks focus on tools and features designed for building the web application's User Interface. In other words, a front-end framework is used to create the side of the website visitors interact with, the visual representation of the website that appears on their screen;
• Back-end Frameworks - On the other hand, a back-end framework offers tools and features to be used on the web application's server side. They provide tools and features for handling application logic, database interactions, handling requests or API communications, for example;
• Mobile Development - As the name suggests, this type of framework is used for creating mobile applications. They allow developers to build their application and then deploy it on their chosen platforms (like the iOS or Android stores).

These three types of frameworks are the backbone of web development. With them, developers can create anything from the user interface to the server-side logic and architecture that every modern-day web application needs.

Common Misconceptions

There are a few misconceptions about frameworks. While none of them are egregious, we still want to shine a light on them so you can know the difference. It will save you some head-scratching when looking things up online.

Framework or Programming Language

This one is very easy to explain. The two are often confused for each other or used interchangeably, but they are actually rather different.

A programming language is used to build many things, including frameworks. It is the foundation of the framework. On the other hand, a framework is used for a specific purpose – creating a web application, mobile app, etc. – and uses a programming language as its base.

Framework or Library

That is another misconception since both terms are used in programming. However, they cannot be used interchangeably and are absolutely different.

As we already know, a framework is a web application's scaffolding or skeletal structure. It streamlines the development process by offering specialized tools and functionalities. A library, on the other hand, is a component within the framework used to produce a specific outcome. In other words, a library is an add-on that introduces purposeful functionality to the framework and the web application. That functionality can be anything from simple email-sending capabilities to complex API communications.

Another way to think about it is that the framework invokes the library's functions when necessary.

As you can see, though, frameworks are handy tools that make web development a much more straightforward and pleasant experience. With their combination of expertly coded baseline code and tools and ease of use, frameworks have streamlined the creation of web applications a lot. They eliminate a lot of the tedious repetitiveness that comes with the process while also ensuring consistency across the board.

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