Framework
- This is about the general software development term; Framework is also the name of an office application suite, and Mac OS X frameworks are application frameworks.
In software development, a framework is a defined support structure in which another software project can be organized and developed. A framework may include support programs, code libraries, a scripting language, or other software to help develop and glue together the different components of a software project.
Frameworks are meant to facilitate software development by allowing designers and programmers to spend more time on meeting software requirements rather than dealing with the more tedious low level details of providing a working system. For example, a team using Apache Struts to develop a banking web site can focus on how account withdrawals are going to work rather than how to control navigation between pages in a bug-free manner. However, there are drawbacks. Common complaints are that using frameworks adds to "code bloat", and that a preponderance of competing and complementary frameworks means that one trades time spent on rote programming and design for time spent on learning frameworks.
Outside of computer applications, a Framework can be considered as the processes and technologies used to solve a complex issue. It is the skeleton upon which various objects are integrated for a given solution.
Example frameworks
- Apache Cocoon — from Apache Software Foundation
- Apache Struts — from Apache Software Foundation
- Catalyst (software) — an open-source web application framework written in Perl
- CakePHP — an open-source web application framework written in PHP
- Cocoa — from Apple Computer
- Django — an open-source web application framework written in Python
- Eclipse — from IBM
- EVAcms — from EVA Soluções
- MARF — an open-source Java framework for audio/speech/voice and natural language processing
- NetBeans — from Sun Microsystems
- Lampshade (Framework) — from Think Computer
- Microsoft .NET — from Microsoft
- Maypole framework — an open-source web application framework written in Perl
- PRADO — component-based, object-oriented PHP web application framework
- RIFE — an open-source web application framework written in Java
- Rational Unified Process — a process framework for developing software
- RNA — an open-source component-based, object-oriented PHP web application framework
- Ruby On Rails — an open-source web application framework written in Ruby
- Seagull — an open-source framework compatible with version 4 and 5 of PHP
- Symfony — an open-source web application framework written in PHP
- TurboGears — an open-source web application framework written in Python
- Wicket — component-based Java web application framework
- Molins — PHP5 Struts-like framework for enterprise web applications
- web.framework — PHP5 MVC based framework for PHP5 web applications
- ZNF — PHP5 Struts-like framework for enterprise web applications
- Zoop Framework — a mature and revolutionary open-source component-based, object-oriented PHP web application framework : Homepage
- Zope — a Python-based application server
- ZK — an open-source Ajax/XUL web application framework written in Java
External links
- Software framework at the Free Dictionary
- Application framework at the Free Dictionary
