What is the platform and site engine?
One of the most common misunderstandings among clients who rarely encounter website development is the concept of “Engine” and “Platform” of the site. Let's figure out once and for all what is what :) “Engine” or “platform” is a content management system, part of this system is represented by an admin panel through which all content is entered. The “engine” is most often of two types - CMS (content management system) or framework.
What is a framework and CMS?
CMS is a ready-made content management system. This is a ready-made or semi-finished solution that needs to be adapted to the customer's requirements for the website. The most common CMSs are Wordpress, OpenCart.
The framework is a more flexible platform that does not have any initial “blanks”. The admin panel, in this case, is written and agreed with the customer individually. The most popular frameworks at the moment are Laravel and Symfony.
In simple terms, imagine that you are building a house. In the case of CMS, you take a finished house project and adapt it to the landscape, soil and customer preferences (water supply, electricity, plumbing, rooms and zoning of the room, the number of outlets, etc.). And when choosing a framework, the architect independently draws up the entire project at home, initially planning your future home based on your preferences (in the case of a website, based on the company's business processes).
CMS PLUSES:
- The development process is faster and cheaper, if the functionality is simple.
- Due to the prevalence, it is easier to find a contractor for editing and maintenance.
- A simple and easy-to-use admin panel, regardless of the developer.
BENEFITS OF FRAMEWORKS
- Great platform flexibility. If you need something beyond the standard CMS functionality, then it is better to choose a framework.
- Easier to add new features and change old ones.
- High site speed.
If you still have questions - write to us, and we will be happy to tell you everything we know about the “engines” of the site. And in the following publications, we will go through individual platforms and analyze in detail all the pros and cons.