what does framework mean? (spring, struts ...)

[stmfc]

i see many tutorials,discussions etc. on java frameworks
like struts and spring, and also some other frameworks for other languages.
but still i cannot figure out what does "framework" mean?
is "framework" a kind of library? or a platform like .NET ? or what else?

[JosAH]

Yes, a framework is a kind of library: it contains many handy methods you can
invoke but there is a difference though: a framework can invoke your methods too
and a framework starts the entire application. Your methods have to implement
certain interfaces and register themselves to the framework. The framework
determines *how* you can register your methods.

kind regards,

Jos