There are so many different kinds of websites available on the internet, each with its own capabilities and shortcomings. These websites are made possible through a wide variety of web development frameworks that also share those characteristics. But why are there so many web development frameworks?
Here are eight reasons why there are so many web development frameworks:
- Different projects require varying functionalities.
- Frameworks offer varying levels of flexibility.
- Developers need opinionated and unopinionated options.
- Frameworks offer varying speeds.
- Frameworks use different programming languages.
- Stability varies across frameworks.
- Frameworks have different learning curves.
- Frameworks technology keeps advancing.
This article will delve deeper into each of these reasons and how they all relate to the world of web development frameworks and systems. It will also explain in greater detail why these factors are so important to each individual when choosing a framework. Lastly, it will put all of those topics together to discover why so many web development frameworks exist.
Table of Contents
1. Different Projects Require Varying Functionalities
One of the key attributes web developers look for when deciding what type of development framework to use is the functionality of the system.
Since each website is created unique, each website owner will want different features, add-ons, and applications. Some frameworks are able to meet all of those criteria by being extremely customizable, allowing each user to decide what best suits their needs and build up from there.
Other frameworks may not have those features as potential options. Some systems are set up very rigidly and come to the user like this right from the beginning. This attribute typically makes the development process easier and may be appropriate for a simple and straightforward website.
Whether a rigid or a customizable framework is ideal depends on how intricate the design of the website is going to be. Because different frameworks have varying functionalities, there need to be options for both ends of the spectrum. This results in there being many types of web development frameworks.
2. Frameworks Offer Varying Levels of Flexibility
Another trait that is extremely important in a web development framework is its ability –or lack thereof– to be flexible when the system requires an upgrade or a new application. The main difference between a web development framework that is flexible and one that is not is whether the system can adapt to changes in the original software.
Updates and add-ons are often needed for websites, particularly those that are popular and constantly expanding their user base. Some frameworks can handle subtle changes to the system, and some can tolerate massive adjustments. Others cannot do either.
This is another good reason why it is necessary to have many different types of web development frameworks available. Some web development frameworks are extremely rigid in their coding, making it difficult and time-consuming to input new information.
However, for a large system like a web browser, a massive video streaming service, or a social media app, a strict framework is not conducive to productivity. The framework must be able to have new features added without concern for how they will affect the current ones.
The ability to have different flexibility levels for each user makes it convenient to have multiple types of available frameworks.
3. Developers Need Opinionated and Unopinionated Options
Web development frameworks ultimately help to provide solutions to particular “problems” on the front or backend of each website. Although they are called problems, they are really just sites that host one particular kind of content.
These problem types can include publishing sites, gaming sites, and other very specific niches of content. Utilizing an opinionated framework is perfect for these sorts of websites because it is structured to solve one specific, common problem within the framework of the site.
Opinionated frameworks pave a clear path for architectural decisions that might need to be made down the line and add consistency and predictability to the codebase. They also make it easier for other developers to understand the codebase, allowing new members of the development team to start adding value to the project as soon as possible.
The downside of opinionated systems is the lack of flexibility. Because they are only designed to fix certain issues through a rigid, predetermined path, they are much less likely to be able to solve different problems than the ones they are programmed for initially.
This is where having many different web development framework options available is beneficial. If a website is designated for one specific subject, an opinionated framework is an obvious choice. On the other hand, an un-opinionated framework is ideal for websites that need to have many different aspects to them because it offers more flexibility.
4. Frameworks Offer Varying Speeds
Another crucial aspect of a web development framework is how quickly it can process and create new applications and how effectively it does those tasks. Some frameworks are able to perform more efficiently than others in certain circumstances. This is why there need to be so many different types of systems.
For example, a framework may have the ability to extend the functionalities of different applications. This is convenient and can help development occur at a faster and more efficient rate in many circumstances.
Even with that ability, the framework may lack other key components that would help improve performance speed. If a system can do specific tasks quickly and easily but takes a long time to deploy in the different areas of application production, it may not be beneficial to some users.
Having the choice of efficiency and performance in different sections of a web development framework allows each individual user to decide what will be best for each particular environment.
5. Frameworks Use Different Programming Languages
There are so many languages web development frameworks can be programmed with that it makes sense to have many frameworks to use those coding languages with.
These different programming languages go hand-in-hand with the functionality of the frameworks. Depending on how dynamic the language is, the structure and style of the web applications may be built in a more complex manner.
Then there is the process of learning a specific programming language. Some languages linked to certain frameworks are much more difficult to understand and take a lot of time to adapt to, while others are simpler. For instance, most programmers will agree that Java is easier to learn than C++, especially as a beginner.
A language that is easier to comprehend may only work with simpler web development frameworks. The opposite is true for easy-to-learn languages and complex frameworks.
Thankfully, there are many frameworks to choose from, so each user can find a framework that provides the best coding language for them.
6. Stability Varies Across Frameworks
The stability of the web development framework over time is another key component that should be taken into consideration.
Some frameworks are built extremely solidly and will not buckle if problems arise. They are created to withstand a lot of programs and features being added to the system.
Other frameworks may be simpler to learn and might not have extremely complex applications, but this also means they are more likely to be unstable systems.
This may not be a concern for some 一a basic framework is all that is needed. For others, a framework that is sturdy and stable is the preference. There needs to be a variety of web development framework choices, so all the possibilities are covered.
7. Frameworks Have Different Learning Curves
All of the above attributes of web development frameworks are important to think about, but how easy are they to learn? The learning curve plays a large role in why so many frameworks exist.
Some frameworks are simplistic in their functionality. These are often the easiest to understand in the shortest amount of time.
The downside of systems with a gradual learning curve is that they are built at a very basic level. Because of this, they may not have components that work as well as a more advanced framework would.
On the other hand, more detailed frameworks will have a steep learning curve. There are additional concepts that must be mastered in order to use a more intricate system, and they will take more time to understand.
There need to be different framework options available so developers can choose whether they would prefer a steep learning and a more advanced system or a gradual learning curve and a more simple system.
8. Frameworks Technology Keeps Advancing
Perhaps the largest reason why there are so many web development frameworks is that the technology used to create them is always advancing. There are always going to be new and updated versions of systems being produced, and companies that want the latest technological features will always be interested in utilizing them.
Some may choose to keep their applications simple and use a basic, well-regarded framework. However, most will likely want a framework that has the best flexibility, stability, speed, and functionality, among other features.
There need to be many options to pick from since every individual will want something different. As new web development frameworks are rolled out, the “Old Reliable” applications will most likely stick around as well so that each user can find the exact combination they want.
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