Frappe: Benefits, Purpose, Terminologies and Key Concepts

MICHAEL MAMMAN
4 min readMay 4, 2023

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Frappe is a web application framework built in Python and JavaScript based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern. that aims to simplify the development of web applications. It was developed by the team behind ERPNext, an open-source ERP software. Frappe provides a comprehensive set of tools that make it easy to create custom web applications and software solutions.

Frappe Framework was originally developed by a company called F-Startup India, which later became Frappe Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The framework was created to help developers build custom enterprise applications quickly and easily, without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure.

ERPNext and Frappe

ERPNext is built on top of the Frappe framework. It includes a set of pre-built modules for managing various aspects of a business, such as accounting, inventory management, and HR. ERPNext also includes a powerful workflow engine that allows businesses to automate their processes and streamline their operations.

Benefits of Frappe

One of the biggest benefits of using Frappe is its ease of use. It has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for developers to work with, it provides developers with a high level of abstraction, allowing them to focus on building business logic rather than worrying about the underlying technical details. Frappe also has a modular architecture, which means that it can be easily extended with new functionality. This makes it ideal for building complex applications that require a high degree of customization.

Another benefit of Frappe is its flexibility. It can be used to build a wide range of applications, including e-commerce sites, project management tools, and CRM software. Frappe also includes a number of built-in features, such as authentication, permissions, database management, user management, role-based access control, data visualization etc.

Other benefits include:

  1. Rapid development: Frappe Framework comes with several pre-built modules and features, which makes it easy to build applications quickly without having to write a lot of code from scratch.
  2. Scalability: Frappe Framework is designed to be scalable, which means that it can handle large amounts of data and traffic without any issues.
  3. Low cost: Frappe Framework is free and open-source, which means that developers can use it without any licensing fees.
  4. Active community: Frappe Framework has an active community of developers and users who contribute to its development and offer support to others.

Purpose of Frappe

Frappe was designed to simplify the development of web applications. It provides a set of tools that make it easy to build custom software solutions without the need for extensive programming knowledge. Frappe is also open-source, which means that it can be customized to meet the specific needs of a business or organization.

Key Concepts, Features and Terminologies in Frappe

Frappe includes several key concepts, Features and Terminologies that are important to understand when working with the framework. These include:

  • DocTypes: This is the fundamental data structure in Frappe. It defines the structure of a document, such as a customer record or a purchase order.
  • Controllers: These are Python modules that handle the logic behind a web page or application.
  • Forms: These are web pages that allow users to input and edit data.
  • Reports: These are web pages that display data in a specific format, such as a table or chart
  • Desk: This is the central hub of the Frappe framework. It provides a unified interface for managing documents, reports, and other features.
  • Easy customization: Frappe Framework comes with a built-in UI builder, which allows developers to create custom views and forms quickly and easily.
  • Modular design: Frappe Framework is designed to be modular, which means that developers can add or remove modules as per their needs. This makes it easy to customize the application according to specific requirements.
  • Role-based access control: Frappe Framework comes with a powerful role-based access control system, which allows developers to restrict access to certain parts of the application based on user roles.
  • Cross-platform support: Frappe Framework supports multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it easy to develop and deploy applications across different environments.
  • MVC Architecture: Frappe Framework follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern, which allows for a clear separation of concerns between different components of the application.
  • Customizable: Frappe Framework is highly customizable and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any web development project.
  • Database Abstraction: Frappe Framework provides a database abstraction layer that allows for easy integration with different database systems.
  • Scalable: Frappe Framework is highly scalable and can be used to develop web applications of any size.

Conclusion

Frappe Framework is a very powerful and versatile tool for web development. With its flexible architecture, customizable features, and built-in UI components, it has become a popular choice for developing custom web applications across different industries. Whether you’re building an ERP system, e-commerce platform, or project management tool, Frappe Framework provides a solid foundation for your web development project.

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