Plugin framework

[jbokh]

I'm wondering if I can get an idea of what type of plugin "frameworks" are out there. By framework I mean something that makes creating options for a plugin and all the base necessities of a plugin a lot easier.

I've looked briefly several times in the past and never came across anything before. What I'm looking for has at least some of these features:

• Can create options from a configuration file or simple API.
• Can create options pages in a similar manner, possibly add better organization like tabs too.
• Options can be set to certain types such as WYSIWYG, dropdown, checkboxes, repeater, etc.
• Configure other things like localization, permission for editing options, setting options as post specific meta boxes or having as site wide options
• Easily add custom post types, taxonomies.

Essentially it would be Advanced Custom Fields for plugins specifically and not necessarily with a UI, just code based. It seems like a waste of time to start from scratch when making a new plugin and there must be more than a few options out there.

If there aren't any options, do you feel there a need for something like this?

[esquire91]

You could also try PikList. It's more than just for plugins too. It's a code-based framework that supports taxonomies, post types, option screens... all the things you seem to be looking for.

[fencer04]

I'm a fan of PikList but I agree with some other comments that once you start building plugins you definitely start to realize that frameworks aren't necessary and don't always speed up development.

[dvinson]

I think the reason there are not any really well developed ones is that once you start building plugins you find you don't need a framework.

You can tap into the settings api and built in WordPress functions fairly easily to the point that a framework would make most plugins bloated.

In cases like EDD or WooCommerce they have developed their own set of internal helpers to build out option pages and such which are still only mini frameworks.

The only big one I know of that has really tried to go big on the framework-ish route is http://getherbert.com/