The NonFunctional Dev

Frameworks as an Entry Point

When many of us start our development careers—especially in web development—frameworks feel like what we have to go for. We often begin by choosing a programming language (the “easier” of course) and then pick a popular framework. For instance, I began with Python and naturally moved on to Django, following a course to create my first CRUD app. The rapid results made frameworks feel almost magical (oh, that’s my call).

This excitement led me to experiment with different language and framework combinations—Ruby with Rails, JavaScript with Express, to name a few (to find the “easiest”, and my new favorite). During that era of server-side rendering, ORMs and frameworks felt like they held the key to productivity. As the frontend landscape evolved, I started exploring tools like React, Angular, and finally bet for Vue (and became a Vue lover). At this stage, frameworks felt like superpowers, helping me achieve results with impressive speed and basic (trash) programming knowledge.

The Wake-Up Call in Enterprise Development

Working in enterprise environments made me feel confident in my Django and Vue skills. But when I began job hunting, I faced a new reality: interview after interview made it clear that frameworks alone weren’t enough. Topics like state management, concurrency, event-driven architecture, testing, and SQL weren’t just “nice-to-know” concepts—they were core to high-level programming roles. Frameworks had shielded me from these essentials, and without them, I lacked a deep understanding of the principles that power robust applications.

It was far from easy. Breaking out of a framework-oriented mindset cost me time and tears (yes, I cried from time to time). I resisted change so strongly that I saw skilled developers who focused on fundamentals as “purists” or “egocentric.” I avoided studying the basics on purpose, reinforcing my confirmation bias by sticking to pro-framework authors and resources.

But over time, I began to realize that I was stuck, held back by my own unwillingness to broaden my perspective. Recognizing this, I committed to going back to the fundamentals. I immersed myself in core programming concepts, clean code practices, and system design principles. Ironically, as I became more proficient in pure JavaScript, Python, and SQL, the frameworks I once relied on started making a lot more sense.

The Framework Trap

Frameworks simplify complex processes and are excellent productivity boosters. But here’s the catch: frameworks are just tools, and tools change. When you rely exclusively on Framework X, you risk being left behind if Framework Y becomes the industry standard. Developers who understand fundamental principles can transition across frameworks, languages, and tools with ease.

Specializing too much in one framework can lead to a narrow skill set, which becomes problematic as the industry shifts. Spending years mastering only one tool can leave you stuck if your company or the industry pivots to something new. The “framework bubble” can create a false sense of security, where you become overly dependent on a specific tool rather than developing versatile problem-solving skills.

Moreover, frameworks can also lock you into a specific way of solving problems. This rigidity can lead to inefficiencies when the framework doesn’t align with the project requirements. Instead of finding the best solution to a problem (X), you might end up bending the framework to work in ways it wasn’t designed for (Y), which can result in over-engineered, complex code that becomes difficult to maintain. This is where frameworks, instead of helping, can inadvertently create technical debt.

Why Core Concepts Matter

Frameworks may come and go, but the core principles of software development are enduring. Understanding algorithms, data structures, design patterns, and the fundamentals of programming languages provides a foundation that transcends any single tool. Mastering these principles makes it easier to learn any framework quickly and enables you to adapt to new technologies as they emerge. Knowing JavaScript fundamentals, for example, allows you to pick up any JavaScript framework with ease. This approach focuses on problem-solving, not just memorizing syntax.

As we move toward AI-assisted coding, the importance of core understanding becomes even more pronounced. AI might be able to generate code snippets, but if we can’t interpret, debug, or adapt those snippets, we aren’t genuinely progressing as developers.

A broad skill set rooted in fundamental principles helps you remain adaptable. This adaptability allows you to thrive in a fast-evolving tech landscape, whereas being narrowly focused on a single framework can hinder your growth.

The Path Forward

Here’s a series of step that can you avoid the “framework trap” and become a better developer (it was helpful for me)

1. Spend time to get Core Skills: Dive into core programming concepts like clean code practices, data structures, and algorithms. Get comfortable with the basics of system design so you can understand how things work under the hood. This is what builds a strong foundation that lasts.
2. Use Frameworks as Tools (Don’t fall in love): When you’re learning a framework like React, don’t just memorize its features—try to understand the principles behind them. Look into things like how component-based design works, why state management is crucial, and what the virtual DOM does. Knowing these concepts will make it easier to pick up any framework later.
3. Practice Outside of Frameworks: Spend time coding in plain JavaScript, Python, or whatever language you’re focusing on without relying on frameworks. Practice writing SQL directly instead of just using an ORM. This builds your problem-solving skills and helps you tackle challenges without leaning on abstractions.
4. Apply What You’ve Learned to Real Problems: Put your core skills to use by tackling projects without a framework first. Then, if you need to speed up or scale the project, bring in a framework. This approach keeps you focused on the best solution for each problem, not just the framework’s way of solving it.

Conclusion

Five years of experience should mean five years of building a solid foundation—not just expertise in a single framework. By prioritizing adaptability and a solid grasp of fundamentals over abstractions, you avoid the trap of becoming too specialized in one tool. Aim to become a versatile developer who can tackle problems from first principles, regardless of the specific frameworks or tools at hand.

Lastly, consider who truly benefits from the productivity gains of frameworks. Often, productivity boosts serve the company’s goals more than the developer’s growth. To advance as a developer, maintain a mindset focused on continuous learning and critical thinking. Not only will this lead to personal fulfillment, but it will also open doors to new and better opportunities in a constantly changing industry.