What Is a Framework, and Why Would I Use One?

A framework is a coordinated collection of libraries, tools, and conventions for building a certain kind of application. It often provides common features such as authentication, database access, error handling, testing, or a standard project structure. You can build these pieces yourself, but using a framework saves time and gives your project patterns that other developers already understand.

You don't have to use a framework, especially for small programs or while you're learning. The main advantage is avoiding repetitive plumbing. For example, if you're making a website with user accounts, a framework may already handle sessions, password hashing, permissions, and related security concerns. That lets you focus on the parts that are unique to your project.