Introduction

Literally, it means “framework”  it is a set of sophisticated tools that make it possible for developers to be more efficient in web design, among other things. It offers architecture and software components ready to use and reusable. From here on, to refer to frameworks, we will also use the expression frameworks.

A framework is a structure that you can build software on. It is a foundation, so you’re not starting entirely from scratch. Frameworks are typically associated with a specific programming language and suited to different tasks. Let’s say you’re building a house.

You could pour the foundation and frame the house yourself. It would take a lot of time, but you could do it. If all of that were already done for you, though, it would save you quite a bit of effort — especially if expert home builders did it.

We could compare a framework to a car factory. The car would remain the final product and the factory’s framework. In that factory, we already have everything we need in stock: robots, workstations, car components (such as steering wheels or wheels), etc. We will look for those that we need to reuse among the members.

Once this application or interface sketch has been created, other developers no longer need to reinvent the role every time they start a new plan. In particular, we can delve into the DRY concept: Don’t Repeat Yourself, in Spanish «Do not repeat yourself». DRY is a computer programming philosophy to avoid code redundancy within an application and thus make it easier to maintain, test, debug, and update.

A community of developers typically designs frameworks. They work using the programming language and allow the development of media: mobile applications, office software, web platforms, video games, etc. But it is also possible to create your own framework.

Frameworks have different parts. We can cite, for example, authentication tools, database management, and user interaction or display.

Keep in mind that they meet a specific need. And to choose the one that best suits you, it is essential to effectively define our needs in advance.

What are its Advantages?

They allow you to save time! They prevent the programmer from developing everything: rewriting or reinventing each line of code (DRY concept). Thanks to frameworks, developers can focus on achieving specific features for their project instead of spending time on repeated things in each project, such as architecture, basic application security, etc.

Have a Clear and Organized Work Environment

They provide an optimized file and folder hierarchy. Thanks to this differentiation and classification of files, the interface is clearer and simpler for those who know how to use it. If the guidelines of the framework are respected, we obtain a structure and a unit according to the code with the aim of improving its quality.

Be More Efficient and Optimize Teamwork

Development frameworks provide various formalized architectures according to the needs for which it is used. It facilitates team development and the distribution of tasks since each member has their work “area”.

Also, when a developer starts working in a team that uses an established framework and that they already control, they will manage it quickly and easily. We could compare this to a vehicle. The difficulty here would be learning to drive, but moving from one car to another is a piece of cake once done. The same happens with the framework. Once you know how to manipulate it, the transition from one application to the other is simplified since the structure remains unchanged.

Ensuring Optimal Maintenance and Development

The frameworks, developed by a community of developers or a private organization, have adequate maintenance and development and have updates frequently.

By using this tool, you no longer need to worry about the latest web standards, new compatibility between services, etc. The community takes care of “everything” and updates the tool. The developer, therefore, benefits from these updates, as does the web development team, who can then spend the saved time searching for added value and developing the project itself.

Increase and Optimize Security

Most of the time, they cover and offer protection against most of the security flaws found when designing an application.

However, this does not prevent the maker from stepping in and optimizing the security and performance of their application by overloading the preset functionalities, if necessary.

An “Infinite” User Community

Only one person rarely uses a specific framework. If you track into a problem, bug, or have specific questions, the user community is here to help. With an efficient search on Stack Overflow(among others), you will get the solution easily.

What are the Disadvantages?

Knowledge Of The General Concepts Required

To correctly understand and interpret the basic principles and make sound technical decisions, it is essential to master at least the common concepts of internal workings, understand the good practices and, of course, have adequate knowledge of the programming language and concept used.

Limits On Complex Functions

As its name indicates and we have commented previously, a framework is a framework. Therefore, it presents certain limits of use.

For example, it often imposes its own choices on us in the architecture of our code. When a web developer wants to access language features that are not managed by the framework, problems can arise. The advice that we can give to a developer who wants to use this tool is to be guided by the interface.

They are Too Tempting!

It seems that everything is easier thanks to them, but nothing is further from the truth. A framework levies a heavy and complex architecture on requests when sometimes they don’t need it.

They meet specific and advanced needs! It is useless to use a Ferrari to buy bread since there is more risk of damaging it than anything else. The same thing happens with frameworks: if you want to create a static site with few pages, they complicate the task more than simplify it. In that case, the basic languages ​​of HTML/CSS and JS will suffice!

Keep one thing in mind: before embarking on development through a framework, you need to effectively define your need to establish the real need for using a specific framework.

What Types of Frameworks Exist?

Here are Some Examples:

High-performing and usable in many situations,

NodeJs has made a breakthrough in the world of JavaScript possible. Founded in 2009 through Ryan Dahl, it broke depressed the front and back end barriers. This language made it possible to create back-end applications in JavaScript. In particular, NodeJs helps companies build scalable and handle high-speed simultaneous networks. For example, companies like Google or PayPal use NodeJ in their applications.

VueJs, created through Evan You in 2014,

is a JavaScript-based progressive framework with a component-oriented approach. They are generally used for the front-end part. It has a progressive learning curve, making it “easy” to handle. Its lightweight (30 kb) and very good performance make it one of the fastest JavaScript frameworks. We can mention some web pages that use VueJs: Adobe, Alibaba and even Nintendo.

Angular is the official front-end framework of Google and was developed by this company.

Born in 2016, it offers ready-to-use solutions and allows you to create components in JavaScript. It is a very good framework for developing highly interactive web applications. Component-oriented, it provides a solid code base. However, it presents a certain complexity in its learning curve, and the development of an application in Angular necessarily implies its use from start to finish. It is not possible to alter the framework in the meantime. You’ll also have to go through TypeScript to use Angular!

React is not a framework.

It is why we invited you to read until the end. Instead, it is called a “front-end library.” Created in 2013 and developed by Facebook, it has a large Open Source community (which is based on collaborative and decentralized development methods). Despite its relatively fast education curve, its long-term use has become more complex. React provides reusable components as a library but moves away from software architecture.

Nothing is achieve without giving anything in return

Development is exciting and accessible to everyone, and some frameworks are very easy to use at first but become complex as the application grows. On the contrary, others require longer learning initially, but the facilities appear once you handle the application. It remains a choice to be made depending on the project and your methods.