Individuals who lack development knowledge may get confused with technical terms used in the software development industry. You may feel overwhelmed with technical jargon like frameworks and platforms, leaving you unsure of which is the right fit for your project. If you are one of those budding developers confused about these terms, this article will solve your issue by providing a clear framework vs platform comparison.
What is a Framework?
You can think of a framework as a pre-built foundation that provides a structure and essential components for creating applications. Developers get an app structure and reusable components with a framework to eliminate the need to build from scratch. While it offers pre-defined elements, users can also customize them to make a personalized web app. In addition, you can add your own code to optimize the app to your specific functionalities.
Other than that, using frameworks can significantly speed up development and promote code reusability. With the help of these foundations, you can take advantage of the work done by experienced developers who built the framework. You will get further clarification about this term when you read about the software platform vs. framework difference.
Different Types of Frameworks
Before you decide whether to utilize frameworks or platforms for web development, let’s understand different types of frameworks. Developers categorize these foundational structures based on their functionalities to help students pick the right framework according to their use case. So, go through these most common types of frameworks to enhance your knowledge.
1. Web Application Framework
Using this common type of framework, you can simply optimize the process of web development with a set of built-in structures. Moreover, these foundations can handle common tasks like database interaction and user authentication to free up time for developers. Some common examples of such frameworks include Django and Laravel, which help you build web apps.
You may also like: 10 Most Popular Web Development Frameworks
2. Game Development Framework
Developers who want to create games with the help of pre-built foundations can utilize these frameworks. Utilizing them will be pretty beneficial for game developers, as they can handle graphics, sound, and game mechanics easily. Also, you can take advantage of Unity and Unreal Engine frameworks to develop high-end games.
3. Mobile App Framework
Such foundation structures will simplify the process of creating mobile applications for various platforms like iOS and Android. Mobile developers will get pre-built UI components and tools for handling device functionalities. Furthermore, developers can utilize frameworks like Flutter to create mobile apps using a single codebase.
You may also like: 10 Best Mobile App Development Frameworks
4. User Interface Framework
When you are looking to create a visually appealing interface, utilize UI/UX frameworks for pre-built components like buttons and menus. In addition, you can take advantage of frameworks like Bootstrap that provide a responsive design system for rapid UI development.
What is a Platform in Software Development?
When talking in software development terms, a platform is a broader structure that provides a more comprehensive foundation, like a pre-built environment. In a platform, developers will get a complete set of tools for development and often even running applications. Moreover, these platforms include things like databases, servers, and development tools to ease the process for developers.
Before we dig deep into the difference between platform and framework, you need to understand that platforms are typically scalable. Therefore, developers can use this foundation structure to build e-commerce applications or manage content management systems.
In broader terms, platforms also include operating systems and hardware that you utilize for the web development process. As we know, different platforms will have different requirements, so a single code will not work on all the platforms.
Difference Between Framework and Platform
Now, you have the general know-how of the difference between framework and platform. Let’s continue our discussion by comparing both these terms in detail to get a firm grasp of this concept. The following comparison table will help you understand the differences between platform and framework.
| Metrics | Framework | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| General Introduction | A framework is a collection of libraries and tools that provide a structured approach to building applications. | When comparing platform vs. framework, this structure provides a comprehensive environment for development & deployment. |
| Scope | It is usually narrower in scope, focusing on specific tasks or areas of development. | The platform is generally broader in scope and offers a wide range of functionalities and services. |
| Customization | While comparing frameworks and platforms, the first one offers a higher level of customization than the latter. | Platforms give users a lower level of customization, as they normally have pre-built features. |
| Extensibility | You can extend frameworks with additional libraries or plugins, but may not offer the same level of integration as a platform. | On the other hand, platforms support the integration of third-party services and tools to extend functionality. |
| Language Specificity | Frameworks are generally language-specific, so they are optimized only for a fixed programming language. | When talking about the difference between framework and platform, the latter is not tied to any specific language. So, you can use this foundational structure with a wide range of web development languages. |
| Maintenance | These foundation structures don’t require much maintenance, as updates are typically managed by the framework community. | In contrast, platforms will require regular updates and maintenance to keep up with evolving technologies. |
| Learning Curve | You have to pass through a lower learning curve, as the framework focuses on specific tasks or areas of development. | On the other hand, platforms often require a steeper learning curve due to their comprehensive nature and the tools they offer. |
| Use Cases | Rapid web development, Building dynamic user interfaces, Mobile app development, Data analysis and machine learning, etc. | E-commerce store development, Developing cloud-based applications, Managing CRM systems, etc. |
| Examples | Django (Python), React (JavaScript), TensorFlow (Python) | AWS (Cloud Platform), Shopify (E-commerce), WordPress (CMS) |
ZEGOCLOUD: A Versatile Platform and Framework for Real-Time Communication
After discussing everything related to the platform vs. framework difference, let’s move forward to discuss how to utilize them to optimize the development of the communication app. ZEGOCLOUD is a platform that can help you with its ready-made UI components to deliver a feature-rich communication experience to the users. Using its 20+ pre-built UIKits, developers can fasten the app development process to free up time for complex tasks.
Moreover, you can utilize the voice and video calling APIs provided by this platform to integrate communication features into your platform. In addition, developers can add in-app chat and cloud recording features to their web applications with the help of APIs and SDKs offered by this platform. This foundational framework provider also lets you add live-streaming functionality to your application to connect with a global audience.
All in all, ZEGOCLOUD serves as the one-stop shop platform for building a communication app. With all the feature-rich video, voice, and chatting APIs, developers can surely ease the web app development process with this platform and framework.
Conclusion
Throughout this article, we have familiarized you with the significant differences between framework and platform. Now, you know that framework is generally a basic set of pre-built tools, while platforms provide a comprehensive environment for development & deployment. Developers who want to optimize their web development process can choose to integrate APIs and SDKs offered by the ZEGOCLOUD platform for smooth app development.
Read more:
Let’s Build APP Together
Start building with real-time video, voice & chat SDK for apps today!
