Framework Means ....
(General) the part of an overall system architecture into which variable components can fit
(Object Technology) a set of cooperating object classes that make up a reusable design for a specific class of software or function. Such a framework is typically customized to a particular application by creating application-specific subclasses of the abstract classes in the framework. Apple's MacApp? is an example of a framework for a complete Macintosh application. Taligent's CommonPoint? Application System is a framework consisting of a collection of frameworks. Each of these frameworks is a group of C++ classes that operate together to implement some function.
also check out
http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~FrameworkFeatureChart~VFP for comparision between frameworks.
HTH