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Frames is the process of defining what amount to "windows," each displaying a distinct, individual page, within a single "parent window" at the presentation layer.

This is OLD technology, and has now been replaced by iFrames. I recommend that designers and developers shun Frames whenever possible. The drawbacks far outweigh any imagined benefits and there are many, much better technologies available. Whenever possible, just say "No".

Overview - written 1999 - The best use of this technology to date seems to be in allowing the presentation of a navigation bar or header/logo that remains visible throughout the entire web site in a top, bottom or side window regardless of the page being displayed in the main window. The advantage of the approach is that the navigation bar and the attendant images do not have to be re-loaded with each new page. The down-side is that the URL of the page being viewed in the main/display window doesn't show. It doesn't matter which page the visitor bookmarks, the URL is always that of the starting page.

Although I generally hold that two frames at a time should be the limit, there are cases where five or more have been used to good effect. Show me!