I'd definetly go for the framework approach. After building apps with and without frameworks, its a lot less painful to build upon something which exists already.
There are so many advantages to go framework, I can't tell everyone:
- frameworks are (mostly) under development, so you can benefit from trends and improvements in web development
- frameworks are well tested
- frameworks are more secure. Do you have all holes for XSS etc. closed? Are you sure?
- frameworks have almost always a community behind it, so you benefit from other users knowledge and plugins
- frameworks have plugins. You don't have to write anything from scratch, like DB connections, authorization or file uploads
- frameworks have documentation. Unless you are the sole developer of your app, you really want to have good docs.
Do frameworks have disadvantages? Sure, but I don't think it outweighs the advantages.
Agreed, a framework is just a toolkit of best practices and useful tools.
Another benefit of using a framework is it lets you 'work' with other amazing coders. I have increased my php knowledge many times over by using symfony. Sometimes this happens because you just have to dive into the frameworks sourcecode to see what's going on.
Also, if you need help at some stage, it's much easier to find someone with some knowledge on a framework (say, Symphony, since he built in PHP) than having to train that person into your framework and then the thoughts behind your application/idea.
There are so many advantages to go framework, I can't tell everyone: - frameworks are (mostly) under development, so you can benefit from trends and improvements in web development
- frameworks are well tested
- frameworks are more secure. Do you have all holes for XSS etc. closed? Are you sure?
- frameworks have almost always a community behind it, so you benefit from other users knowledge and plugins
- frameworks have plugins. You don't have to write anything from scratch, like DB connections, authorization or file uploads
- frameworks have documentation. Unless you are the sole developer of your app, you really want to have good docs.
Do frameworks have disadvantages? Sure, but I don't think it outweighs the advantages.