In search of the definition of a framework on the net, I came across these definitions:

Framework (http://cedar.web.cern.ch)

A framework is an extensible structure for describing a set of concepts, methods, technologies, and cultural changes necessary for a complete product design and manufacturing process. Framework products are most prevalent in the area of Electrical and Electronic design. Frameworks provide a mechanism that guides users through a proper order of steps, applications, and data conversions via a common interface to the process being followed.

Frameworks (http;//www.cise.ufl.edu)

A term used by some parallel object-oriented groups (e.g., POET and POOMA) to distinguish their systems from more traditional library- or language-based parallel programming environments. A framework provides an environment that takes care of the top level and provides a frame within which user-modified components can be placed. It usually comes with an assortment of pre-made components to help the user rapidly take advantage of the system.

Software Framework (http://en.wikipedia.org)

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, a scripting language, 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).

Application Framework (http://en.wikipedia.org)

A software framework that is used to implement the standard structure of an application for a specific operating system. Application frameworks became popular with the rise of the graphical user interface (GUI), since these tended to promote a standard structure for applications. It is also much simpler to create automatic GUI creation tools when a standard framework is used, since the underlying code structure of the application is known in advance. Object-oriented programming techniques are usually used to implement frameworks such that the unique parts of an application can simply inherit from pre-existing classes in the framework.

Summarizing the contents of all these definitions, the result will be

• A framework is an extensible structure for describing a set of concepts, methods and technologies.
• A framework provides a mechanism that guides users through a proper order of steps, applications.
• A framework usually comes with an assortment of pre-made components to help the user rapidly take advantage of the system.
• A framework helps develop and glue together the different components.
• A framework is used to implement a standard structure.