Frameworks?

Question

So ive been doing java programming for a while now and i keep seeing frameworks mentioned, from my understanding a framework is like the opposite of a program we write, in the way such as the framework takes control and utilizes our program components. So my question is really a hypothesis that i need a confirmation on

Start hypothesis.

So when i think framework this is what i think, so we have some code for a GUI now this code is the framework and this code handles evetything such as event handlers and navigation between pages and say interconnectivity between other users, this framework was created by someone for interchangeability of parts so as the end user i would design the pages and buttons and plug them into this framework?

Please inform me if my observation is correct, otherwise please explain where my theory is incorrect.

Thank you.

Answer 1

It's tough to understand. "Framework" doesn't have a consistent, universally agreed-upon definition.

This article does an okay job, but also introduced some confusion, I think:

https://www.programcreek.com/2011/09/what-is-the-difference-between-a-java-library-and-a-framework/

More broadly than Java, let's always remember that the programmers should always have the final say. A framework is just a set of guidelines. It can help with keeping your project organized and with decision-making in cases where there may be ambiguity as to the best choice.

Maybe a rough analogy is a framework is like a recipe. The quality of the ingredients used and how frequently you skip steps or substitute ingredients is still up to the chef. Currently, we may still be a few technologies away from simply handing ingredients over to a robot chef and having it plug them into the recipe, per se.

My opinion. /shrug