What is a framework?

"A defined support structure in which another software project can be organized and developed. A framework may include support programs, code libraries, a scripting language, or other software to help develop and glue together the different components of a software project."

–  Wikipedia

Boiled down, a framework is a set of core files that you can leverage to help you better and more consistently organize your code and make your development life easier. It provides a pre-defined structure for your application. Since a framework provides a common and universally known structure for your application, any developer that knows the framework will understand how the application is structured. This can save a great deal of time when people who weren't involved with the initial creation of the application need to come in and work on the code. Despite the reputation that frameworks may have in some circles, frameworks exist to make our lives as developers easier. A good framework provides the means to handle the basic "plumbing" or flow of an application so we don't haveto reinvent that wheel for each application. In addition, a good framework will include a set of core files that can be leveraged during application development to make common tasks easier and less repetitive. Your application uses the framework's Application Programming Interface (API) to simplify and accelerate common development tasks.

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