Web Application Framework (WAF)

A Web Application Framework (WAF) is a software application development framework that enables the development of web applications (for web development tasks).

• AKA: WF, Web Framework, WAF.
• Context:
  • It can typically provide Web Development Patterns through component architecture and routing systems.
  • It can typically enable Web Application Structure through mvc patterns and state management.
  • It can typically support Web Components through reusable interface elements and component lifecycle.
  • It can typically maintain Web Application State through state management systems and data flow patterns.
  • It can typically handle Web Resources through asset management and bundling systems.
  • It can typically follow Web Application Standards, such as W3C Web Components.
  • It can typically include an HTTP Engine, such as Node.js.
  • ...
  • It can often facilitate Web Development Workflow through hot reloading and development servers.
  • It can often provide Web Security through csrf protection and xss prevention.
  • It can often implement Web API Integration through http clients and api middleware.
  • It can often support Web Performance through code splitting and lazy loading.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Web-Only Application Framework to being a Multiplatform Front-End Development Framework, depending on its platform scope.
  • It can range from being a Full-Stack Web Framework to being a Microframework, depending on its framework coverage.
  • It can range from being a Traditional Web Framework to being a Modern Web Framework, depending on its development paradigm.
  • It can range from being a Server-Side Web Framework to being a Client-Side Web Framework, depending on its execution environment.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with External Services for web hosting and content delivery.
  • It can connect to Development Tools for web debugging and performance profiling.
  • It can support Build Systems for web asset optimization and deployment automation.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Javascript Web Frameworks, such as:
    • Single Page Application Frameworks, such as:
      • React Framework for component based development and virtual dom rendering.
      • Angular Framework for enterprise web development and typescript integration.
      • Vue Framework for progressive enhancement and reactive programming.
    • Full-Stack Javascript Frameworks, such as:
      • Next.js Framework for server side rendering and static site generation.
      • Nuxt.js Framework for vue based applications.
      • Remix Framework for nested routing and data loading.
  • Server Side Web Frameworks, such as:
    • Python Web Frameworks, such as:
      • Django Framework for full stack development and admin interface.
      • Flask Framework for microservice architecture and api development.
    • Ruby Web Frameworks, such as:
      • Ruby on Rails Framework for convention over configuration and active record pattern.
      • Sinatra Framework for lightweight web services.
  • Low-Code Web Frameworks, such as:
    • Data Science Web Frameworks, such as:
      • Streamlit Framework for data visualization and ml model deployment.
      • Dash Framework for interactive dashboard development.
    • Enterprise Low-Code Frameworks, such as:
      • Salesforce LWC for lightning web components and enterprise integration.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Mobile Development Framework, which targets mobile platforms rather than web browsers.
  • Multi-Platform Front-End Development Framework, which extends beyond web development.
  • Desktop Application Framework, which focuses on native application development.
  • Post-CSS Plugin, such as Tailwinds, which provides styling utilities without application structure.
  • Static Site Generator, which generates static websites without dynamic functionality.
• See: Content Management Framework, Model-View-Controller Software Architecture Pattern, Code Reuse, Web Development, Frontend Development, Backend Development, Software Architecture, Web Standards, Browser Technology, Development Platform.

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References

2022

• (Wikipedia, 2022) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/web_framework Retrieved:2022-11-1.
  • A web framework (WF) or web application framework (WAF) is a software framework that is designed to support the development of web applications including web services, web resources, and web APIs. Web frameworks provide a standard way to build and deploy web applications on the World Wide Web. Web frameworks aim to automate the overhead associated with common activities performed in web development. For example, many web frameworks provide libraries for database access, templating frameworks, and session management, and they often promote code reuse. Although they often target development of dynamic web sites, they are also applicable to static websites.

2017

• (Wikipedia, 2017) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_framework Retrieved:2017-7-26.
  • A web framework (WF) or web application framework (WAF) is a software framework that is designed to support the development of web applications including web services, web resources, and web APIs. Web frameworks provide a standard way to build and deploy web applications. Web frameworks aim to automate the overhead associated with common activities performed in web development. ...

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