In the app development industry, a framework is defined as a software library which offers generic actions and which can be used instead of common code. In these cases, frameworks are used to offer users some precise features.
Even though it is not absolutely necessary, a framework is a tool that is available to help professionals develop better and faster. And we will help you understand how that happens in this article. Keep reading and discover why a framework is an excellent tool for the developers of your company!
What is a framework?
We can take Gartner’s concise definition of framework: “A style guide that defines the look, feel and interoperability of software applications”.
We can also go beyond that and reinforce what we have already said in the beginning of this article – when developing technological applications, a framework is a concrete or conceptual platform in which a common code with generic features can be selectively specialized or substituted by developers or users.
Technically speaking, frameworks a some sort of library, in which a well defined application programming interface (API) is reusable anywhere inside the software that is being developed.
Certain resources make a framework different from other library forms, including:
- standard behavior: before personalization a framework behaves specifically according to the user’s action;
- inversion of control: the global control flow inside a framework is employed by the structure itself instead of by the caller;
- extensibility: a user can extend the framework by selectively substituting the common code for the user’s code;
- unalterable structure code: a users can extend the framework but cannot modify the code.
What advantages does a framework bring to developers?
Now see what the most visible and practical benefits of framework are for developers.
Simplifying processes
The goal of framework is to simplify the development environment, allowing professionals to put effort onto the requirements of the project, instead of dealing with the common and repetitive features and libraries.
For example, instead of creating an app VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) from scratch, a developer who uses a framework focuses onto adding easy buttons and menus or integrates the VoIP with other features.
Conformity
Frameworks provide the development team with the certainty that applications (or part of them) totally meet the rules of the business. Besides, they make it possible for applications to be structured and maintained.
Accelerating the project
Frameworks also accelerate development projects because they guarantee economy of time. By using generic modules, for example, they save time for other more strategic activities — such as working in more complex parts —, and there is also a productivity return.
How to use frameworks efficiently?
Finally, it is important to consider some variables before starting to insert frameworks in development projects. It is necessary to decide between using an existing framework or building one from scratch, for example. This makes more sense when certain structures of an app are reused in other products.
It is also up to the manager of the development area to define methods and count on professionals to audit the framework code, correct possible bugs and build a schedule for applying the features. Besides, it is also important to document the used frameworks so that new professionals or new teams can futurely know where to start new projects.
So, have we helped you understand what a framework is and what tare its benefits? If you want more content like this article and other publications, like our page on Facebook!
