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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
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<chapter id="introduction.overview">
<title>Overview</title>
<para>
Zend Framework is an open source framework for developing web applications and services
with <acronym>PHP</acronym> 5. Zend Framework is implemented using 100% object-oriented
code. The component structure of Zend Framework is somewhat unique; each component is
designed with few dependencies on other components. This loosely coupled architecture allows
developers to use components individually. We often call this a "use-at-will" design.
</para>
<para>
While they can be used separately, Zend Framework components in the standard library form a
powerful and extensible web application framework when combined. Zend Framework offers a
robust, high performance <acronym>MVC</acronym> implementation, a database abstraction that
is simple to use, and a forms component that implements <acronym>HTML</acronym> form
rendering, validation, and filtering so that developers can consolidate all of these
operations using one easy-to-use, object oriented interface. Other components, such as
<classname>Zend_Auth</classname> and <classname>Zend_Acl</classname>, provide user
authentication and authorization against all common credential stores. Still others
implement client libraries to simply access to the most popular web services available.
Whatever your application needs are, you're likely to find a Zend Framework component that
can be used to dramatically reduce development time with a thoroughly tested foundation.
</para>
<para>
The principal sponsor of the project 'Zend Framework' is <ulink url="http://www.zend.com">
Zend Technologies</ulink>, but many companies have contributed components or significant
features to the framework. Companies such as Google, Microsoft, and StrikeIron have
partnered with Zend to provide interfaces to web services and other technologies that they
wish to make available to Zend Framework developers.
</para>
<para>
Zend Framework could not deliver and support all of these features without the help of the
vibrant Zend Framework community. Community members, including contributors, make
themselves available on <ulink url="http://framework.zend.com/archives">mailing
lists</ulink>, <ulink url="http://www.zftalk.com">IRC channels</ulink>, and other
forums. Whatever question you have about Zend Framework, the community is always available
to address it.
</para>
</chapter>
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