Perhaps, today's framework is not a foreign term anymore. Various fields of work have their own framework for carrying out the process. However, frameworks are actually concepts that were initially popularized in the programming world.
Frameworks have an important role in helping programmers do their work. Starting from time and energy efficiency, to saving costs.
Want to know more? Come on, scroll down! We will explain the meaning of a framework in a programming context, how it works, its function, and the types of frameworks that are most widely used in programming.
What is a Framework?
A framework is a structure composed of a series of generic code and functions to develop systems and applications. These frameworks act as templates or models that provide intelligent functions and standard structural elements to make developers' work easier.
Because it is a kind of "foundation" for working on a project, a framework helps developers so they don't have to start the development process from scratch. There are various ready-to-use components and easily customizable solutions in the framework to simplify the development process.
Apart from that, the framework is also regularly tested, optimized and updated by experienced programmers so it is usually quite safe and efficient. One framework can be used in several different projects, so you could say that a framework is a 'facilitator' in the programming world.
This programming solution, which includes source code, compilers, libraries, abstract classes, APIs, and other elements, provides the support needed for general software programming. Whether for web development, mobile development, or data science, frameworks can facilitate all of this.
What are the functions of framework?
The main function of a framework is to facilitate the software or application development process. By providing a basic structure that simplifies the system programming process, frameworks are very helpful in terms of time and security.
Then, as discussed earlier, because they are developed by experienced programmers and have many active communities, frameworks that are generally open-source usually undergo regular testing and optimization.
Therefore, the reporting and repair process can be carried out immediately if any damage or bug is found. The framework also has high consistency because it is coding that has been tested extensively and has been proven to work.
The way the framework works allows developers to focus more on the main targets of the project without having to worry about the basic elements of the structure. Without having to start the process from scratch, programmers can save time and money as well as reducing the risk of errors.
The execution process is based on the reuse of generic code sequences that can be implemented as the basic structure of the project. This design must match the language and nature of the framework in question.
Most frameworks have forums and extensive documentation that can help programmers learn new knowledge and solve problems.
In essence, some of the main uses of frameworks that make them widely used in programming are:
- Optimize development time
- Define and standardize programming steps
- Tighter security
- Avoid duplicate code
- Reduces the occurrence of bugs
- Increase consistency in the development process and in the applications created
- Minimizes the possibility of errors in the code
- Allows developers to focus on specific design elements
- Simplify and shorten the learning process for the developer team
- Save cost
What is the difference between framework and library?
Frameworks basically consist of code elements that guide the application development process and optimize it. Because of this, frameworks are sometimes confused with libraries. However, both are different concepts that also have different goals.
A framework determines the structure you use to develop software. So, from the start your code must follow the standards set by the framework.
On the other hand, libraries are resources that you can use during the development process, providing elements to complete a development stage or optimize it.
This is related to the concept of Inversion of Control (IoC), where when a library is used, the code will make a request to that library. This means that control is completely in the code, and then the library responds to the requested function.
Well, the opposite is true for frameworks. Coding no longer controls the process, but rather the framework because it plays a role in "calling" the code that will respond to the requirements set by the framework.
A practical example is like this: let's say you use the curl function, which is a PHP library. When you use one of the curl functions, the PHP code calls a specific function in the library in question. Here, the PHP code “calls” the curl function in the library.
Now, let's say you are using a PHP framework like Laravel. The control relationship will be reversed, because it is the framework that "calls" the code written in it.
It is important to remember that within a framework there may be one or more libraries. However, libraries are one of the advanced features in the framework.
What are the Types of Frameworks?
Using a programming framework does provide many benefits. However, sometimes it can be difficult to figure out which framework is best suited for your project. Choosing the wrong framework will actually waste time and cause problems.
So, therefore, you need to first understand the types of frameworks that exist. Usually frameworks are divided based on the application and implementation mode (front-end, back-end, and JavaScript).
Below we will describe some of the most popular programming frameworks today, divided by application.
1. Framework for Web Applications
Frameworks for web applications help the process of developing online systems, such as websites, APIs, applications, and other resources available on the internet.
a. Angular
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| Angular |
Angular is an open source front-end JavaScript framework that provides several tools and solutions to speed up web development and combine templates.
Because it allows extensive integration, Angular is suitable for websites or applications that require flexibility in terms of customization. This framework is developed and maintained by a dedicated team at Google.
Some examples of websites and applications that use the Angularjs framework are Netflix, PayPal, UpWork, and Nike.
b. Django
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| Django |
Django is a popular open source framework written and focused on the Python programming language. The goal is to enable a fast, simple and scalable web application development process.
With the structural elements in Django, you can carry out all the processes that need to be carried out pragmatically and safely.
This framework is most widely used by startups and technology companies in interactive projects that have a lot of visual resources, for example games. Some of the sophisticated websites and systems developed with the help of Django are Spotify, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
c. Laravel
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| Laravel |
Laravel is a back-end framework based on PHP, and is quite popular because of its expressive and sophisticated syntax. Apart from being popular, Laravel is also flexible and easy to use.
Intended to deliver powerful yet simple functionality, Laravel resources enable agile and integrated web development processes. Laravel also has tools for combining multiple templates.
The Laravel framework has a large and active community, and is used by many well-known websites such as BBC, 9gag, Pfizer, Barchart, MyRank, and World Walking.
2. Framework for Mobile Development
Frameworks for mobile development help carry out the programming process in creating applications and services for mobile devices, both in special (native), hybrid and cross-platform environments.
a. Flutter
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| Flutter |
Flutter is Google's open-source framework. This framework presents various flexible and modern tools, simplifies the application development process and is relatively easy to use.
The Flutter framework supports iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux, and has customizable solutions such as widgets. Some of the most popular applications that use Flutter are Amazon, Alibaba, eBay, Adobe, and Google Ads.
b. Xamarin
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| Xamarin |
Xamarin is an open-source framework based on .NET. Its function is to form a mobile application development structure for Android, iOS and Windows. Xamarin is owned by Microsoft and has a large partner community.
The goal of the Xamarin framework is to offer a cross-platform solution with reusable shared code. Some examples of websites and projects developed with them are Microsoft Azure, Outback, Academia do Oscar, Alaska Airlines, Novarum DX, and BBC Goodfood.
c. Ionic
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Ionic |
Ionic is an open-source cross-platform framework that uses JavaScript, HTML and CSS. This framework helps you create quality hybrid agile applications for Android, iOS, and Windows.
From a single code base, this framework has several libraries and integration elements that enable the development of features such as push notifications. Some examples of popular applications that use Ionic are EA games, NHS, McDonald's Turkey, McLaren, NBC, and Pacifica.
3. DataScience Framework
Data science is now one of the main sectors throughout the world, which has increasingly developed since the advent of AI (artificial intelligence). This field is related to statistics, algorithms, scientific methods, and digital systems intended to process and analyze data to generate insights.
Therefore, its functions usually include voice, image and gesture recognition tools, then object location, transcription, text classification, etc.
a. TensorFlow
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| TensorFlow |
TensorFlow is an open-source framework for machine learning. Backed by Google, TensorFlow has a broad and flexible ecosystem that enables the creation of machine training models and research experiments.
Some examples of smart projects developed with TensorFlow are Google Translate, Mozilla’s DeepSpeech, and Google RankBrain.
A number of big brands also use this framework for certain tasks in an application, such as Twitter which uses it to classify tweets in the timeline. Coca-Cola has also used it to display simple proof of purchase, as well as Spotify to optimize recommendations.
b. PyTorch
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| PyTorch |
PyTorch is a machine learning framework developed by the artificial intelligence research team at Facebook. This framework is open-source and can be used with Python and C++/Java, and can be used on Linux, Windows and MacOS.
Apart from that, PyTorch is also supported by a cloud platform. This resource framework relies on extensive libraries and advanced environments that speed up the process, from prototype research to application release. Projects and websites developed with PyTorch include Amazon Ads, Comcastm Exelon, Trifo, Quadient.
c. Apache Spark
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| Apache Spark |
This framework is equipped with integrated features for data analysis and data engineering at scale. Apache Spark also supports several programming languages, such as Python, SQL, Scala, Java, and R.
In addition to data science and information processing, Apache Spark has algorithm and machine training elements. Because it can be integrated with several platforms, this framework is widely used by well-known brands in their projects, such as Visa, Microsoft, Cisco, Databricks, Verizon, and Oracle.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you already know what a programming framework is, its functions and examples. A framework is a structure consisting of a collection of code, patterns and abstract classes that functions to simplify and speed up the process of developing web, mobile and data science applications.
Acting as a guide or foundation for a project, frameworks help programmers to develop systems or applications without having to start from scratch. This way, using a framework can save time and resources, provide tighter security, and minimize errors.
Apart from that, frameworks can also become standard procedures related to programming. Still have further questions about the framework? Come on, let's tell us in the comments column below this article!