What are Libraries and Frameworks and how do you use them?

What are Libraries & Frameworks?

Both libraries and frameworks are pre-written packaged pieces of code that developers can use to speed up the development process. Libraries and frameworks both solve common programming problems so that developers don't have to re-invent the wheel each time.

For example, managing time in an app is a common and complex problem. Instead of coding the functionality for converting timezones (a very difficult task), developers might choose to import a popular library like moment.js into their codebase.

While libraries and frameworks are both re-useable pieces of code, they're used for different purposes.

A library is a collection of code that can be imported into a project to add specific functionality. For example, a developer building a web application may use a library to implement a calendar feature, instead of building it from scratch.

A framework provides a more comprehensive solution for building an application. It includes a set of rules, guidelines, and pre-written code that provide a structure for the entire application. They frameworks include tools for handling common tasks like database management, routing, and authentication.

What's important to know:

Here are the key things to know about frameworks and libraries:

(1) Libraries and frameworks are re-useable, pre-packaged code that devs import into their own codebases to ease the development process

(2) Libraries add a specific functionality

(3) Frameworks create structure to a codebase

(4) A codebase can have many libraries but only 1 framework

(5) Recognize common libraries and frameworks (See below)

Positive feedback is feedback too!

We often think of feedback as “critical feedback”, but positive feedback is just as important! Team cohesive and effective teamwork ultimately comes from a place of positivity and a sense of forward/upward momentum. It’s difficult to have these when just focusing on critical feedback. You want to know what you’re doing right along with ways you can improve. So as much as possible, ask for positive feedback like “What did you like about [x] that you’d like to see me continue doing?” and “What was your favorite part about [x]?”

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