TYPO3 is a very comprehensive PHP-based Open Source Content Management System published under the GPL. It has several thousand third party modules and is exceptionally popular in Europe and also spreads quickly elsewhere in the world.

• FLOW3 is an offspring from the development of the upcoming TYPO3 5.0 Version, the newest version of the CMS.
• FLOW3 can be used independently of TYPO3 as a development framework
• It is published under the LGPL and thus Open Source
• It's making extensive use of software development paradrigms that had not been brought to PHP programming yet.

FLOW3 is not a pick'n'mix store of motley components. It's a framework which helps you with the infrastructure of your application. Object Lifecycle Management, Package Management, Resource Management and Security are on his home field. Real business logic is left over to third-party packages.