Technology Fundamentals
Framework
Definition
A software framework provides a standard way to build and deploy applications. It is a universal, reusable software environment that provides particular functionality as part of a larger software platform to facilitate development of software applications, products and solutions.
Why It Matters
Frameworks save developers time and effort by providing a pre-built structure and common functionalities. They enforce a consistent architecture, which makes code easier to maintain and scale.
Contextual Example
React and Angular are popular front-end web frameworks. They provide developers with a structured way to build user interfaces, complete with components, state management, and routing.
Common Misunderstandings
- A framework is different from a library. A library is a collection of functions that your code can call (e.g., to perform a math operation). With a framework, the framework calls your code (Inversion of Control).
- Using a framework often means committing to its way of doing things, which can be less flexible than building from scratch.