Software Development Frameworks to Supercharge Your Projects!

Sofia MurphySofia Murphy
15 min read

Rising tech debt and modernization needs increase the cost of software development for many CTOs. A McKinsey survey indicates that tech debt amounts to about 20%- 40% of the technology estate before depreciation. CTOs can avoid it by choosing the right software development frameworks.

How?

Each software development framework offers a structured approach to using the tech stack. These frameworks have pre-built conventions, structures, and libraries that ensure clean code practices.

Plus, software development frameworks like .Net Core offer better adaptability and scalability, which is crucial for enterprises. It reduces the need for quick fixes that could increase tech debt. This is why choosing the proper framework is paramount. If you falter in choosing a suitable framework, it can be counterintuitive.

This article lists software development frameworks in multiple categories like mobile, web, backend, and frontend.

But before you choose one of them, you need to understand what these frameworks are.

What is a Software Development Framework?

A software development framework is a structured approach to software development. It helps determine how to deploy, connect, and operate different components.

There are many different types of software frameworks, including

Each type of software offers multiple benefits. This is why choosing one for your project can be challenging. An expert software development company can help you select a suitable project framework.

However, you need to know about frameworks to better understand the project’s needs and how it aligns with them.

Mobile App Development Frameworks

These frameworks come with pre-built components, standard templates, and reusable code. It simplifies mobile application design, development, deployment, and testing. Here are some of the best mobile development frameworks you can use,

Mobile App Development Frameworks

1. Kotlin

Kotlin is a type of software framework used mostly for mobile app development. It is an open-source framework for Android app development. Kotlin supports both object-oriented and functional programming. You can leverage it’s interoperability with Java with a Kotlin app development company to build high-performance Android apps.

Core Features of Kotlin

  • Null safety– Kotlin comes with null sagey, which helps optimize Android app performance and reduce crashes.

  • Data class separation– It offers a provision for separating specific data classes from common ones to eliminate errors.

  • Smart type casting– Kotlin offers a smart cast function, which improves coding efficiency. It also performs operations coded for specific functions.

  • Concise code– It offers clean and concise code, reducing the time needed to develop an Android app.

  • JavaScript transpilation– This feature allows Kotlin developers to transpile Kotlin code to JavaScript, which helps them run it on browsers.

When to Use Kotlin

  • You need a native Android application.

  • You want to create a web app with a robust backend.

  • You are creating a platform for data scientists.

2. Ionic

Ionic is a cross-platform framework, unlike Kotlin. It is open-sourced and based on Angular and Apache Cordova. Ionic allows developers to design custom applications that run across platforms, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking Ionic app development solutions. This software framework tool helps developers build native capabilities for their websites.

Core Features of Ionic

  • Live reloading– Ionic enables a live reload feature, which allows developers to visualize the code instantly.

  • Customization– It offers extensive customization options for developers to align the app experience with brand style.

  • Angular integration– Ionic provides seamless compatibility with Angular, facilitating efficient integration.

  • Capacitor– It is a software framework tool that allows Ionic developers to convert web-based projects into native apps.

  • Native performance– This framework provides efficient native performance for your apps through optimal hardware acceleration.

When to Use Ionic

3. Flutter

Flutter is an all-purpose software development framework developed by Google. It follows a widget-based structure and is used for building cross-platform apps. Flutter app development offers a responsive style with a mobile SDK that does not need a JavaScript bridge. It is based on the Dart programming language and has an easy-to-understand syntax.

Core Features of Flutter

  • Hot reloading– Flutter offers a hot reloading feature, which helps developers render application changes instantly.

  • Widget library– This framework allows faster app development with widgets that are ready to use.

  • Plugin manager– Flutter offers (pub) as a part of the standard toolchain and the “pub. dev” plugin repository for developers to create custom plugins.

  • Rendering engine– It offers a rendering engine by default, “Skia,” which allows Flutter developers to launch FlutterUI on any platform.

When to Use Flutter

Web App Software Development Frameworks

Developing a web app involves developing the front end and back end. You can also choose full-stack software development frameworks that help design, develop, and deploy web apps. These frameworks provide the underlying infrastructure of web applications, provide modularity, enforce coding standards, and simplify repetitive tasks.

Frontend Web App Frameworks

Frontend or client-side frameworks handle data representation on web apps focusing on UI/UX. Here are some of the key frontend frameworks,

Frontend Web App Frameworks

1. Angular

Angular is a software development framework based on Typescript developed by Google. Which Google developed by Google. It can be used to create dynamic web applications. Angular ensures code consistency and faster development. It offers component-based architecture for scalable web apps.

Core Features of the Angular Framework

  • Two-way data binding synchronizes a model and the view part, ensuring changes you make to the software are immediately reflected.

  • The component-based structure from Angular is self-contained with independent logic, template, and styling.

  • Directives like nglf, ngFor, and ngStyle allow Angular developers to customize HTML.

  • Services are single instance objects that allow you to organize and share code across Angular components.

  • Dependency injection in Angular promotes independent components and services, making app code more testable.

When to Use Angular Framework?

  • You need large-scale, complex applications.

  • You want to build customized features for your web apps.

  • You need to create an enterprise app

  • You want to build a social media web application

2. React

React is a library and an effective software development tool for building reusable UI components. It is one of the crucial parts of the software development framework for developing the front end. Developed by Facebook, React allows you to efficiently handle the application’s view layer. With a reliable React development company, you can customize the libraries and build customer-facing apps.

Core Features of React

  • JSX(JavaScript Syntax Extension) in React makes code easy and understandable for developers. However, you need a Babel compiler to use JSX.

  • Virtual DOM allows you to deploy a replica of the real DOM whenever the web application changes.

  • One-way data binding in react ensures the information flows in one direction and is transferred from top to bottom.

  • React extensions enable the creation of full-fledged UI applications with server-side rendering support.

  • React components logic makes it easy to run the app faster.

When to Use React?

  • You need a custom web app for your business

  • You want an app with multiple shareable elements

  • Your web apps are UI intensive and need real-time changes.

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Backend Web App Frameworks

Backend frameworks handle the web app’s server side, which includes routings, database interactions, and business logic.

Backend Web App Frameworks

1. Node.Js

Node.Js is a runtime environment for executing JavaScript on the server side. Built on the V8 JavaScript engine from Chrome, it compiles JavaScript into efficient code. With a single-threaded event-driven architecture, it allows Node.JS developers to leverage event loops and handle multiple concurrent operations.

Leveraging its non-blocking I/O and event-driven model with a reliable software development service helps process several user requests simultaneously.

Core Features of Node.Js

  • Async and event-driven– Node.Js follows an event-driven mechanism to receive and track all the responses for previous API requests.

  • Single-threaded architecture– This Node.Js architecture improves scalability by concurrently processing multiple requests.

  • Quicker execution– V8 JavaScript runtime in Node.Js is much faster due to a JavaScript wrapper.

  • Cross-platform compatibility– Node.Js also offers compatibility across Windows, UNIX, Linux, macOS, and mobile devices.

When to Use Node.Js

  • You need to create real-time web apps.

  • You want to build chatbots and IoT applications

  • You need collaborative tools for your organization.

  • You want to create streaming applications.

2. Express.Js

Based on Node.Js, Express.Js is a software development tool used to develop web and mobile applications. With Express, you can create single-page, multipage, and hybrid web apps. It is easy to use and learn with JavaScript knowledge.

Core Features of Express.Js

  • Fast server-side development- Express leverages features of Node.Js at the core to offer speedier app development.

  • Middleware advantage– Middleware in Express handles the user requests and helps manage the app’s request-response cycle.

  • Routing benefit– Express has routing features that help determine how an app’s endpoint URLs respond to client requests.

  • Templating engine– It comes with templating engines that allow developers to add dynamic content on web pages through custom HTML templates.

When to Use Express.Js

  • You need to build custom APIs for external integrations

  • You want to create an app for real-time communications

  • Your website needs a custom CMS.

3. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails(ROR) is a software development framework developed by Basecamp. It is based on the MVC architecture pattern and uses the Ruby programming language. ROR development is based on the Rails API used by React to create single-page applications (SPAs).

Core Features of Ruby on Rails

  • Easy syntax– ROR provides an easy-to-understand syntax for developers when writing code.

  • Better security– Ruby on Rails provides robust security features that help secure web application attacks.

  • Assets pipeline– Asset pipeline is a feature that allows developers to manage application assets such as JavaScript files, CSS, stylesheets, and images.

  • Built-in testing support– Ruby on Rails comes with pre-built testing support, making running tests easier.

When to Use Ruby on Rails

4. Django

Django is another open-source software development tool that develops web apps quickly and efficiently. Based on Python, it offers built-in authentication for data security and allows for quick retrieval of information from a database.

Core Features of Django

  • Portability– Django runs across all platforms, including Linux, Windows, and MacOS.

  • Development catalyst– Django acts as a catalyst for your web app development project, reducing the time needed to market.

  • Batteries included– The framework offers libraries and tools, including Admin Interface, ORM, HTTP Libraries, Sitempas, and Sessions Management.

  • Superior Documentation– This framework has extensive documentation, allowing developers to develop apps efficiently.

When to Use Django

  • You need robust and scalable data that can handle BigData.

  • You want to create customer-facing web apps.

  • You have a tighter deadline to launch the web app.

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Full-Stack Web App Frameworks

These frameworks provide front and backend capabilities for your web app development projects. Here are some of the key full-stack frameworks,

Full-Stack Web App Frameworks

1. NET Core

.Net Core is an open-source software framework for building web apps, mobile backends, and IoT apps. It is a cross-platform framework designed to run Windows, macOS, and Linux apps.

You can hire software developers to leverage .NET Core and deploy apps with “Framework-dependent deployments” or “Self-contained deployments.”

Core Features of .Net Core

  • Modular.Net– Modular approach allows developers to include NuGet packages for app optimizations.

  • Razor pages– It is a simplified web-based programming model using file-based directing.

  • Cross-platform support– .NET Core offers support across the platforms with reusable code.

  • Secure Framework– It is one of the most secure, offering protection against cyber threats like cross-site scripting (XSS), unauthorized access attempts, and data breaches.

  • Unified MVC and web APIs– .NET Core merges MVC with web APIs to return data to JSON and the HTML version.

When to Use .Net Core?

  • You need a cross-platform app that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

  • You want to create a real-time data analytics application.

  • Your application needs frequent updates.

  • You want a secure application where sensitive data is stored.

2. Laravel

Laravel is another open-source framework used for web application development with PHP at its core. It is a collection of classes, methods, or files that programmers can use and modify to extend functionalities.

Laravel has an MVC architecture pattern, which makes app updates more accessible. It is one of the best PHP frameworks, offering inherent authentication and security features.

Core Features of Laravel

  • Efficient ORM– In-built ORM from Laravel allows developers to make queries database tables using simple PHP syntax. This means developers don’t need SQL code to query databases, which makes data integration much more effortless.

  • Secure migrations– Laravel offers a secure process based on PHP rather than SQL code. You can hire dedicated developers to migrate to Laravel, ensuring less effort each time there is an update.

  • Artisan support– Laravel, by default, offers support for a software framework tool known as Artisan. The command-line tool automates repetitive programming tasks, reducing coding efforts.

  • Template engine– Laravel allows the creation of dynamic websites through innovative template engines.

  • Widget structure– Widgets in Laravel can be used to create a robust structure for an app.

When to Use Laravel

  • You need a secure website for your business

  • You want to create an eCommerce website

  • You need a B2B website with higher adaptability

3. MEAN

The MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express, Angular, and Node) is a JavaScript-based software development framework for developing web apps. It uses Angular for the front end, Express and Node for the back end, and MongoDB for database management.

Each component in the MEAN stack has advantages, making it an essential tool offering full-stack capabilities. A Mean Stack development company can help you customize the app and ensure optimal performance.

Core Features of MEAN Stack

  • Full-stack development tools– Comes with tools for frontend and backend development and an architecture that improves app efficiency.

  • Extensive library support– MEAN stack provides extensive support for libraries with a large developer community.

  • Scalable architecture– Event-driven structure in MEAN stack allows developers to build scalable apps quickly.

When to Use MEAN Stack

  • You are building a new aggregation site.

  • You want to create calendar apps.

  • You need to create interactive forums.

Website Development Frameworks

Website Development Frameworks

Web development frameworks offer a structured approach to building, testing, and deploying websites. Here are some of the key web-based software development frameworks,

1. Drupal

Drupal is an open-source content management framework developed by the Dries Buytaert community. It is a content management system(CMS) with the attributes of a no-code web development framework, making it obvious to add to your software development framework list. Drupal enables developers to create and manage websites for content creation and administration.

Core Features of Drupal

  • Layout building– Drupal has a layout builder, which you can use as a no-code solution to build interactive pages.

  • Workflow customizations– It enables developers to monitor content updates and customize the workflow accessing previous versions.

  • Caching systems– Drupal offers high-performance caching systems, enhancing the website experience.

  • Effective data migrations– An efficient migrating system enables Drupal developers to migrate data from existing platforms effectively.

When to Use Drupal

  • You are building a website for government schemes.

  • You are a non-profit organization looking to build a website for the cause.

  • You need a website for your media and publishing business.

  • You want an eCommerce website for your brand.

2. WordPress

WordPress is another web software framework for creating websites. It is one of the leading CMSs for creating websites without coding experience. WordPress offers tons of themes and plugins. Choosing the right plugins and themes for your website development becomes crucial. However, you can also use custom WordPress development services to create your plugins and themes.

Core Features of WordPress

  • Content management– WordPress allows the management of content, publishing, and distribution.

  • Theme library– An extensive theme library offers more customizations in WordPress, enhancing the web experience.

  • Plugin integrations– WordPress provides several plugins that you can integrate to improve website functionality.

3. PHP

PHP is one of the oldest frameworks still relevant to developers. It is a server-side scripting language used mainly for web development. PHP scripts run on servers. Upon execution of the PHP code, the results are sent to the browser as plain HTML.

With the conversion of web script to plain HTML, PHP development ensures faster website loading speeds. You can hire software developers to leverage PHP to build highly reliable websites for your business.

Core Features of PHP

  • Dynamically typed– PHP is dynamically typed, meaning the variable types are determined only at the compilation time.

  • Platform independence– PHP is platform agnostic, so you can run it on any platform, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and Unix.

  • Embedding excellence– Embedding PHP into HTML is more accessible for developers and crucial to creating dynamic pages.

  • OOP support– PHP development supports object-oriented programming, which helps developers organize the code into reusable objects.

  • Expensive database support– This software development framework supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.

When to Use PHP

  • You want to develop a custom CMS for your business

  • You need to build a robust eCommerce website

  • You are looking to create a social media platform.

When to Use WordPress

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How Can Excellent Webworld Help Choose the Right Framework?

Software development needs a structured approach to streamline code development, testing, and deployment. The right software development tool will ensure a streamlined process and efficient outcomes. However, understanding the frameworks, their types, features, and use cases is essential to ensure optimal software delivery.

If you want to develop scalable and reliable software without the hassle of analyzing each option, Excellent Webworld can help. We helped one of our clients build an eCommerce marketplace with an advanced tech stack, including software development frameworks like Flutter and Node.Js.

Similarly, you can hire software developers from Excellent Webworld and leverage an advanced technology stack. Contact us now to develop scalable software.

Originally published at : https://www.excellentwebworld.com/software-development-frameworks/

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Written by

Sofia Murphy
Sofia Murphy

I am Sofia Murphy, a mobile apps consultant. I voluntarily write blogs on mobile apps architecture, design, UI/UX, product engineering, and programming languages.