The main options.
WHAT A FRAMEWORK PROVIDES
Routing requests to your code Handling requests and responses Templates for producing pages Frequently, database access and forms
THE TWO BROAD KINDS
Full-featured frameworks, providing most of what an application needs Minimal frameworks, providing the essentials and leaving the rest to you
WHEN A FULL FRAMEWORK SUITS
A substantial application Content and administration needs A team, where conventions help When you want decisions made for you
WHEN A MINIMAL ONE SUITS
A small application or API When you want control over each component When the application does one thing
WHAT TO CONSIDER
How much the framework does for you How widely used it is How well documented it is Whether it runs comfortably on your hosting
WHAT NOT TO CHOOSE ON
Novelty What is discussed most
WHAT TO PREFER
Established, widely used, and well documented.
WHY
Answers exist when you are stuck.
