The programming framework -- don't blame the framework, blame what you can do with it.

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It's not you, it's me.

The programming framework -- don't blame the framework, blame what you can do with it.

There are a lot of factors to analyze when dealing with this kind of situation. In most cases, this decision leads to the use of the selected underlying technology in future projects, but often this may also lead to project nightmares. It is always a huge advantage to be prepared or correctly advised when choosing a framework.Usually, in some point of a developer's career, they pop the question... "what framework am I going to use for this?"

My knowledge is all based on past experiences. A little bit from colleagues, a little bit from stories, and a lot from the knowledge gained working at Amedia Creative.

Let's get into it.

We first want to know what we are going to build. Let’s assume we are a building a small enterprise application for a growing business. It helps a lot when Joey dumps a 300 page wireframe on my desk. I'm going to have to marry this thing for the next three months. At least I have a plan.

Second, define what is going to be the application environment. Is it going to be a Desktop Standalone app, Client-Server, or Web based? SOA perhaps? Moreover, your application might need to allow web clients, mobile devices, and desktop clients as well. At Amedia Creative, we make sure all of our web applications work on the iPhone/iPad. It's a rule here. For example, after the third release of Barracuda, our main focus has been shifted to creating iPhone interfaces.

Third, and after defining the application environment, it is time to select the appropriate programming languages necessary to build the product. This decision must be influenced by the existing available frameworks that might help in building the product. In addition, this decision implies previous agreements with developers and designers: are they comfortable with the programming framework? Two months ago, when building out our new web site, we wanted to build it on the massive Zend library we have created for Barracuda. To build a small site on a massive framework was a challenge. We made this decision because we knew there would be a lot of future integrations with our sales platform (yes--we are building a sales platform, but you didn't hear it from me). Let's just say we were bribed with Blue Label, and lots of it.

Fourth, whatever the selected programming languages, choose to use a framework or library to work with them. Generally, frameworks save us from dealing with creating plumbing code. They help us in the design of the architecture of the application providing us a set of techniques and design patterns for solving commonly occurring problems. Hence, when choosing a framework, it is always better to do some research about it first. Check the forums, the documentation, use-scenarios. Being constantly upgraded is a plus. You also might want to know how hard is to customize the framework to your needs or how hard it is to implement a certain design pattern using it. Also how easy it is reuse the new code you built with it. In short, every framework has its own way of doing things.

Later, when all the necessary technologies, programming language and frameworks have been chosen, for example let’s say the LAMP stack has been chosen, make sure your team does its diligences, and documents any solution to something that could be a potentially commonly occurring problem. Having this knowledge leads to the creation of more reusable code in the same project or across different projects.

And finally, be confident in your decisions. Don't chase white rabbits, make decisions and stick to them.

Remember, clients want results too.

- Hisa for Amedia Creative

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Amedia Creative is headquartered in Las Vegas, NV

We deliver highly scalable feature rich web portals & applications. We are web strategists, not just designers & developers. We’d love to create your web solution.