What is Application Framework? And in depth details with one example?

Question

What is Application Framework? And in depth details with one example?

Answer 1

An Application Framework is a set of pre-written tools for use in creating your own application.

Microsoft's MFC for Visual C++ is an example. It provides a basic set of C++ classes so you don't have to build from scratch.

Another example is the framework provided by PopCap games. It gives you the basic tools and structure for building small online games like theirs. Here's a link to their developer page: http://developer.popcap.com/

In addition to providing just tools, the framework also usually provides a programming methodology - a "way to do it". MFC, for example, uses the Document/View structure as the core of its methodology. All of its classes and functions are organized around this paradigm.