Technology for CMS or Framework
Definition Framework and CMS ?
A CMS is the acronym for content management system. It is therefore a software using a database and allowing to manage from A to Z the appearance and content of a website.
Today, the CMS is a very popular website deployment platform. Because it is suitable for global solution projects, for the creation and management of content to be displayed. A CMS also provides a convenient way to manage the content of the pages of a site, a blog, a catalog, a showcase, a merchant site.
Framework: (custom development)
A Framework is a software structure that establishes the foundations of a software or its skeleton in order to respond to a customized development of the company. It is a basic generic program that reduces development work and is intended to facilitate the work of developers by providing a unified approach to the design of Windows or Web applications. The predefined components of a framework can be assembled in a modular way and then adapted on a case-by-case basis. Using a framework means writing less code and therefore fewer errors.
How to define your choice of CMS or Framework software
Here are the three main criteria to consider when designing, developing and managing your Web project.
These criteria are flexibility and evolution of the program, sustainability and security in terms of the program, and what to foresee in terms of maintenance, program updates, server infrastructure …
Flexibility and evolution of the program
Depending on your needs, you must therefore connect your website to databases such as FileMaker or to other software or intranet programs, or Workflow tools, i.e. a program to process an information or workflow, operations to be carried out to accomplish all tasks or activities grouped together in a single business process. Workflow allows the modeling of business processes as part of a more global approach… All these softwares can process independently, but they must be generated from your website only.
For this, the different types of Open Source CMS software are not flexible for specific development. Of course, you can always add different applications and modules, existing extensions. But if you want to develop specific applications, on top of an Open Source CMS, you will have to plan a monthly maintenance, in order to tune the updates of the program. On the other hand, Frameworks have several libraries that you can easily customize according to your needs.
A website made with a framework is much more adapted to specific development, it allows much more customization. Certainly, much more work in terms of realization and much more expensive.
Sustainability and safety of the program
A framework provides a robust foundation The durability and security of the ideal program on which software can be built for greater durability.
Security is a major concern whether developing an application or a professional website. Indeed, hackers are always looking for advanced ways to attack your website, change its appearance, or even destroy it. This can then damage the program or the content of your website.
The majority of CMS platforms are open source (i.e. free of rights). Therefore, any hacker can access the code base and create scripts to destroy your program. The different communities of developers create plug-ins or extensions. They must be regularly secured whenever a flaw is found. If you are using a CMS site, you must imperatively make updates to install the latest approved plug-ins to reinforce security.
On the other hand, Frameworks give additional security to your site. Indeed, by using custom code, it is much more difficult for hackers to compromise security. Many Frameworks have encrypted features to protect the website and prevent intrusion.
A Framework is more secure and robust than a CMS.
Site maintenance and upgrades
It is very important to keep a CMS program up to date for the security of your site, a CMS software receives version updates almost every month. Of course, a website works even without updates, but for practical and security reasons, it is advisable to install new versions as soon as they become available.
Site maintenance and upgradesIn contrast, Frameworks do not receive regular updates, unlike CMS. Most Frameworks have updates with new features, but not quickly. In particular, some Frameworks programs can last up to 6 months without updates and the program always remains secure.
Advantages and disadvantages of CMS and Framework
The CMS Advantages :
- Easy to use and install: A CMS allows you to create a site without any particular knowledge in development or programming.
- Quick to use: CMS are really standard and have a clear and well thought out administration interface.
- Modular: A CMS is not a static base, it is a modular structure.
- The most popular CMS such as WordPress integrates many extensions that easily allow to optimize the natural referencing of a website.
Disadvantages of a CMS:
- Some basic features are missing: A CMS does not always meet all of the client’s needs.
- Security: A CMS is often used in self-service, i.e. Open Source, if the code is known by all, flaws are often exploited by hackers.
- Migration: For example redoing or evolution of the site.
- Specific application development (program maintenance is mandatory!)
The advantage of a Framework:
- A program meeting the specific needs of the company, flexibility, robustness, security, program maintenance and organization in the realization of your projects.
Disadvantages of a Framework:
- For the most part it is the risk of badly organized applications. This leads to a slow execution of the scripts that slow down the requests. However, it is easy to get around this problem. (By improving the organization of the framework : Removing the Template cache, http cache on the server, public cache, private cache and the problem will be solved).