What is a development framework?

A development framework is a set of tools, libraries and conventions that enable developers to create applications more quickly and efficiently. Development frameworks provide structures and templates for organizing application code and files, as well as common features such as database management, user input validation, user session management and security.

Development frameworks are usually designed for a specific programming language, such as Ruby on Rails for Ruby, Django for Python, or Laravel for PHP. They allow developers to focus on creating the business logic of the application rather than the technical details of the underlying infrastructure, which can significantly speed up application development and maintenance.

In this article, Bocasay, an offshore outsourcing company, explains the basics of a web development framework and provides an overview of advantages and disadvantages.

How does a web development framework work? 

A web development framework usually follows an MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture model to organize the code and files of the application. The MVC model divides the application into three main parts:

• The model is responsible for the business logic and data of the application.
• The view manages the application’s user interface.
• The controller establishes and maintains communication between the model and the view and manages the application logic.

When using a web development framework, you typically start by defining the data models for your application, as well as the routes or URLs that users can use to interact with the application. Next, you can create the controllers to handle user actions, such as submitting forms or editing data.

The framework also provides common features such as user session management, user input validation, error handling and database management. These features are usually provided through libraries and modules built into the framework.

The web development framework also facilitates the creation of reusable page templates, often called simply ‘templates’. Templates allow you to define a structure for the pages of your application and to customize them for each page by using variables and blocks.

By using a web development framework, developers can therefore save time by focusing on the business logic of their application rather than the technical details of the underlying infrastructure.

🟢 Advantages of frameworks for IT development

Speed of development: they provide structures and templates to organize the application’s code and files, as well as common features. This allows developers to save time by avoiding reinventing the wheel and focusing on the business logic of their application.

Error reduction: They often include security, user input validation and error handling features. This reduces the risk of errors and security vulnerabilities in the application.

Scalability: They allow you to create scalable and modular applications by using reusable components and a well-structured architecture.

Documentation: They are often well documented, making it easier for developers to learn and understand.

𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟 𝕠𝕗𝕗𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕟𝕪? 𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕡𝕦𝕟𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕒𝕝 𝕠𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕘𝕦𝕝𝕒𝕣 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕𝕤, 𝔹𝕠𝕔𝕒𝕤𝕒𝕪’𝕤 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕤 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕤𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕀𝕋 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕛𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕤𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕤. 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖-𝕤𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘, 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕗𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕞, 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨-𝕙𝕠𝕨, 𝕥𝕖𝕔𝕙𝕟𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕝𝕖𝕕𝕘𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕪 𝕒𝕕𝕧𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕘𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕠𝕗𝕗𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕦𝕥𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕠𝕗𝕗𝕖𝕣𝕤. 𝔻𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕪 𝕢𝕦𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤? ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕥 𝕦𝕤 𝕥𝕠𝕕𝕒𝕪!

🔴 Framework Limitations

While frameworks offer many advantages in IT development, they also have some disadvantages that include the following:

Limited creativity: Frameworks have strict rules and conventions that must be followed in order for the code to work properly. This can limit the developer’s creativity and make it difficult to implement custom features.

Application size: They often include features and libraries that are not necessary for the application being developed, which can lead to an increase in the size of the application. This can slow down the time it takes to download and run the application.

Compatibility: Some frameworks may not be compatible with all platforms and environments and this can potentially limit deployment options. In addition, various frameworks may also require specific versions of programming languages or third-party software, which can make installation and operation difficult. 

Learning curve: Learning a new framework can take time and may require additional training for developers. It can also make the recruitment process more difficult, as it can often be challenging to find developers that have prior experience within a specific framework.

Most Popular Frameworks in 2023 🚀

In 2023, the most used frameworks will depend on the most popular technologies and programming languages available. However, here is a list of the most popular frameworks from 2021, widely expected to continue their popularity well into 2023:

• ReactJS: JavaScript framework for creating dynamic and responsive user interfaces (UIs).
• Angular: JavaScript framework developed by Google for creating web and mobile applications.
• Vue.js: JavaScript framework that allows you to create interactive and responsive web applications with a simple syntax.
• Django: Python framework for rapid development of web applications, based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) principle.
• Ruby on Rails: Ruby framework for rapid development of web applications, also using the MVC model.
• Laravel: PHP framework for developing modern and elegant web applications.
• Spring: Java framework that provides a complete platform for enterprise application development.
• Express: JavaScript framework for building web applications in Node.js.
• Flask: Python framework for developing lightweight and simple web applications.
• ASP.NET: Microsoft framework for developing web and mobile applications, based on the .NET framework.

However, it is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and that new frameworks may emerge and gain popularity by 2023.

Why choose to outsource your web development?

👉 Access to specialized expertise: companies may need specialized expertise for certain web development projects that may not be available locally. By outsourcing IT development, companies can access specific talent and skills in locations where they are available.

👉 Improved quality: outsourcing allows for the increased quality and reliability of web development service providers, who may have qualified web development experts, experience and significant resources to meet specific business needs.

👉 Flexibility: outsourcing web development can allow businesses to have greater flexibility in terms of resources. Companies can hire developers for short-term or long-term projects as needed, and can easily adjust their development team as projects change or business needs change.

👉 Focus on core business: companies can concentrate on their core business, rather than spending significant resources on managing a web development team. By outsourcing web development, companies can focus on their core business while being assured that their web development is in the hands of skilled professionals.