Web development frameworks are tools and libraries that developers use to simplify and make development in a particular language more efficient. They provide interfaces for accessing commonly used functions as well as abstractions that make it easier to understand and handle complex things.
In fact, they make the development process more efficient because developers have a pool of code resources from which to extract what they need during development. There’s no need to develop software features from scratch when frameworks give you all the tools you need to build a website or application.
Because frameworks give you a head start on development, they are more cost-effective than developing entirely new code. They also reduce development risk because they are tried and true compared to writing completely new, untested code.
There are both interface and server-side frameworks that simplify the development process.
An example of an interface framework:
Angular
Angular is an interface framework supported by Google. Compared to other interface frameworks, it is the most complete solution because it has the most functionality.
Because of its robustness and deep functionality, it is commonly used by large corporations and companies that need a powerful interface solution. As with most complex software, it requires a steep learning curve.
It should be noted that there are multiple versions of Angular, and this can cause some difficulties. If you have an earlier version of Angular but want to upgrade to a newer version to add features and functionality, you will need to extensively rewrite the code because of the difference in versions.
An example of a server-side framework:
Node.js.
Node.js is an environment that allows you to write server-side code using JavaScript. Because of the popularity of JavaScript, Node.js is widely used, and there are many knowledgeable developers working with Node.js. It is often used for real-time web applications. Node.js allows you to develop simple applications and prototypes quickly and efficiently. However, it is not ideal for CPU intensive tasks.
Libraries
Libraries are sets of files, programs, subroutines, scripts, or functions that can be integrated when writing code. Libraries work by grouping pieces of code together to provide functionality, so you don’t have to write the code yourself. Like frameworks, they reduce the risk of incorrect coding, make the development process more efficient, and save you money.
However, libraries are different from frameworks. A framework defines and structures your build. Libraries are resources that you can freely integrate into an assembly of your own structure and design. They are often used for more specific functions or features, while a framework is a more complete development tool.
Let’s take a look at a few different libraries:
React.js.
React.js, supported by Facebook, is one of the most popular interface libraries. There is a long and complex learning curve associated with using React.js, but it is exceptional at creating great-looking user interfaces (UIs). It’s also constantly changing and updating for improvements and maintenance.
Vue.js
Vue.js is another library specifically designed for UI creation. Compared to React.js, Vue.js is simple and easy to use. It has a smaller community to rely on for troubleshooting and support, but this is slightly offset by its speed and relatively easy learning curve. While it is not as widely used as some other libraries, it is growing in popularity because of its ease of use.
FacebookSDK
This is the library used to integrate applications with Facebook. With this library, you can collect user data as it flows between your app and Facebook. The data can then be used to optimize your app, advertise, and give you accurate metrics such as the number of user downloads.