Development as a journey: factors supporting the adoption and use of software frameworks

Abstract

From the point of view of the software framework owner, attracting new and supporting existing application developers is crucial for the long-term success of the framework. This mixed-methods study explores the factors that support developers in adopting and continuously using a framework. Data was collected from two sources: interviews with experienced practitioners and a longitudinal survey of novice developers. According to the results, developers use API (application programming interface) capabilities and peer experiences to justify the selection of the framework. To commit developers and to ensure continuous use, enjoyment of using the framework and its perceived usability are important factors. Instead of focusing solely on the API, the framework owner should consider all platform boundary resources: API, development tools and information. In addition, the boundary resources should support developers’ needs throughout the developer journey, from early adoption to continuous use.