Introduction to OOP: Chapter 18 : Patterns and Frameworks [next] [previous] [audio] [real] [text]

Application Framework

A framework is a series of classes that describe a ``skeleton'' application.
The framework provides structure, but no content.
Normally, the content is provided by subclassing elements from the framework, overriding key methods.
Makes extensive use of polymorphism.
By using inheritance, user need only specify what is new about the application.

The Java AWT is a good example of a framwork.