Explain like I only speak in plain English

In programming, a framework is a standard for building applications. Frameworks deal with low level details so engineers can focus on high level problems that actually matter. Frameworks can significantly reduce development time.

Framework is analogous to cars having four wheels, a steering wheel, brake and gas paddles. Car designers don't have to spend time on deciding how many wheels there will be, or where to place the steering wheel. Because a standard has already been set on that.

Instead, car designers can focus on making their cars faster, more fuel efficient, spacious, and any other attributes they are trying to sell to the consumers.

This is what frameworks do for software engineers. Frameworks providing a basic working system so engineers can work on features that solve real problems, business problems.

Explain like I'm a total nerd

Frameworks exist for almost all software applications. Most software engineers are users of frameworks as it can reduce development time significantly. Frameworks usually focus on specific domains.

Different frameworks allow different levels of customizability. If it was a car, certain frameworks just provide a chassis, and allow you to decide if you want a diesel or petrol engine, manual or automatic gearbox. While other frameworks will provide a basic working car, and leave you to work on advanced features such as automated driving systems.

As an example, Ruby on Rails is a web application framework of the latter, it provides a working system and standard for building web applications. From managing database to providing a user interface, a Ruby on Rails project can be deployed live the moment you set one up.

Explain like I'm an artist

Framework is like a haiku poem. You have a standard in how a haiku is written. There can only be three lines, line one has five syllables, line two has seven and line three has five. It is then up to the writer to decide what words to put in each line.

"The Web site you seek

Cannot be located, but

Countless more exist." - Source

Explain like I already know it

Many are asking why would anyone still learn frameworks like Ruby on Rails in 2018. Well, Ruby on Rails allows a web application to be built very rapidly. If you are testing out ideas for your startup, and development speed is what you are after, Ruby on Rails is your friend.

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is a web application framework built using the programming language Ruby. It is very popular amongst early stage startups with small teams as you can create a working website very quickly.

Library

In programming, a library is a collection of programs that perform specific tasks. Engineers incorporate libraries into their projects so they don't have to write the programs themselves, to save development time.

Application Programming Interface (API)

Application Programming Interface (API) is an interface that programmers can use to interact with a software system. For example, Bob is a waiter at a restaurant. He relays your order to the kitchen, and Bob brings the food back to you. The kitchen is the software system, and Bob is the API.