Framework

From Joomla! Documentation

A software framework is a reusable design for a software system (or subsystem). This is expressed as a set of abstract classes and the way their instances collaborate for a specific type of software. Software frameworks can be object-oriented designs. Although designs don't have to be implemented in an object-oriented language, they usually are. A software framework may include support programs, code libraries^[1], a scripting language^[2], or other software to help develop and glue together the different components of a software project. Various parts of the framework may be exposed through an application programming interface (API).

From Wikipedia

Joomla! 1.5 is a three tiered system:-

The top, Extensions layer, consists of Extensions to the Joomla Framework and its applications:
The middle, Application layer, consists of applications that extend the Framework JApplication class. Currently there are four applications included in the Joomla distribution:-
- JInstallation is responsible for installing Joomla on a web server and is deleted after the installation procedure has been completed.
- JAdministrator is responsible for the back-end Administrator.
- JSite is responsible for the front-end of the website.
- XML-RPC supports remote administration of the Joomla website.
The bottom, Framework layer, consists of:-
- the Joomla Framework itself, whose classes are listed below.
- Libraries that are required by the Framework or are installed for use by third-party developers.
- Plugins extend the functionality available in the Framework.

Packages and Classes

The classes in the Joomla! Framework are loosely grouped into several different packages.

Application

Base

Cache

Client

Database

Document

Environment

Error

Event

Filesystem

Filter

HTML

Installer

Language

Mail

Plugin

Registry

Session

Template

This package is deprecated. Template extensions are part of the Document package now.

User

Utilities