isngs frameworks

[alacn]

using frameworks

ok this is something which has puzzled me for a long time.
I understand a framework (software) to basically be a collection of librabries (ie dll) files which have a bunch of functions in them which my program can access so that my program can do more things (more powerful) ?

Also lets say a came across a java framework of some sort, is it possible for me just to download it and somehow configure netbeans to understand that framework as well as the original so now all of a sudden my code can import more classes and do more stuff or have i got this completely wrong? or is that plug-ins?

google gives me bits and bobs but im having trouble peacing it together and how it can apply to me in a useful way.

thanks for reading.

edit

this is an example of something which i may want to use somehow The Grinder, a Java Load Testing Framework

[crikey]

ok this is something which has puzzled me for a long time.
I understand a framework (software) to basically be a collection of librabries (ie dll) files which have a bunch of functions in them which my program can access so that my program can do more things (more powerful) ?

In principal, yes.

Also lets say a came across a java framework of some sort, is it possible for me just to download it and somehow configure netbeans to understand that framework as well as the original so now all of a sudden my code can import more classes and do more stuff or have i got this completely wrong? or is that plug-ins?

Most frameworks for java help simplify programming. These are called "API's" (Application programming interface). To integrate one into your project, you must download the framework, then include its source with your source, and call its methods.

[JosAH]

In principal, yes.

Most frameworks for java help simplify programming. These are called "API's" (Application programming interface). To integrate one into your project, you must download the framework, then include its source with your source, and call its methods.

While this is all more or less true, the main difference between a framework and an ordinary jar with classes you can use is that a framework has some sort of a 'main' method and 'takes over control', i.e. it calls your methods and you have to extend its classes to make the framework a useable piece of software.

kind regards,

Jos