Definition ∞ An Open Source Framework is a collection of pre-written code, libraries, and tools that are freely available for public use, modification, and distribution under an open-source license. Developers can use these frameworks as a foundation to build applications, benefiting from collaborative development and community support. It promotes transparency, innovation, and interoperability across various software projects. Such frameworks accelerate development and reduce costs.
Context ∞ Open source frameworks are foundational to the development of many blockchain protocols and decentralized applications (dApps) within the digital asset space. Projects frequently leverage existing open-source codebases for smart contracts, wallets, and other infrastructure components. News often covers new developments or security audits of these frameworks, as their transparency allows for public scrutiny and collective improvement, but also potential vulnerability exposure if not properly maintained.