Re: Beginner Question: Define PHP "framework" for me

"Al Dykes" <adykes@panix.com> wrote in message
news:dbhg2s$q30$1@panix3.panix.com...
>
> I've just grabbed a PHP book and can deal with the syntax and now I
> need to decide to learn specific packages and features.
>
> Define "framework".
>
> What are the major framework flavors ?
>
> Under what conditions can I use two or more frameworks?
>
> Sorry for the beginners question.
>
> Thanks
> --
> a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m
>
> Don't blame me. I voted for Gore.

"Framework" is the same as "Infrastructure" and is sometimes referred to as
"glue code" or "plumbing". After a programmer develops a component he simply
plugs it into the framework and it's ready to go. A framework typically
supplies the following:
- a logon mechanism
- a method of defining and displaying menus so that the user can decide
which component to execute.
- a method of defining which user is allowed to access which component
(access control)
- a method of passing parameters between one component and another

There may also be additional features such as:
- an audit logging system
- a workflow system

A framework should be totally application independent. In other words it has
no knowledge of any particular type of application as that is the
responsibility of the application components.

Think of how the term "infrastructure" applies in the physical world. This
describes a system of roads, power supplies, water and sewage systems,
communication systems etc. If you build a house within an area where such an
infrastructure exists then you have something of value. On the other hand if
you build a house in an area where there is no infrastructure - no roads, no
power, no water, no sewage, no communications - then you have an enormous
amount of work to do before it becomes inhabitable.

Once you develop a good infrastructure/framework you should be able to
re-use it time and time again for many different applications. This means
that you can spend more of your valuable time on coding the business rules
and less time on the plumbing.

-- 
Tony Marston
http://www.tonymarston.net