What is the difference between framework and architecture? [closed]

Answer 1

I think framework is something that is created by someone and available to you to accomplish a objective. Like MFC is a framework to write GUI application. Frameworks takes full control from you but gives you the advantage of not trying to do everything from ground up. In most cases it is better to use a well designed and tested framework, rather than write your own.
In this context architecture is how the framework has been designed and possibly the way to use the framework from you application maintaining the vision of the framework designers.

But broadly architecture is the design principle and can encompass not only software but complete systems as well. Think security, integration, reporting, infrastructure aspects etc.

Answer 2

Framework is a part of architecture implementation. Say, our app will be organized according to MVC architecture and will use SpringMVC framework for that. Different frameworks are organized according to different architectural patterns. Someone can say, that term "framework" is itself describes architectural pattern. Its "opposite" is "library", because libraries are directly controlled by your application while frameworks use inversion of control and they control execution of your code. Though, there are controversies in using term "framework".

Answer 3

Frameworks are generally a part of your architecture. They are normally part of the infrastructure of your code. MVC is a framework, as is ASP.NET, WinForms and many many libraries (NHibernate, PostSharp and more).

Architecture refers to how your software it put together - how it is organized, how the different classes and modules in it interact.

Answer 4

Let me illustrate the difference.

Framework:

Architecture:

Answer 5

Simply put -- architecture is theory, framework is implementation.

Answer 6

Frameworks is a collection of classes and tools that help you developing great softwares ... like .net framework or Qt.
Architecture is entirely different : it refers to design pattern or how an application or a framework is organized. What are the modules that compose it and how they communicate together !