What is the primary purpose of using a web application framework?

The primary purpose of using a web application framework is to enhance programming speed and maintainability. Frameworks provide built-in tools, libraries, and a structured approach to development that can significantly speed up the coding process. By offering predefined ways to structure applications, developers can focus less on the boilerplate code and more on the unique features of their applications.

Additionally, these frameworks promote maintainability by enforcing consistent coding practices and architectural patterns. This organization not only makes the code easier to understand for others who may work on it in the future but also allows developers to more easily update and modify the application as needed.

The other options do not encapsulate the primary benefits of using a web application framework; rather, they represent functionalities or features that are not universally applicable to all frameworks and do not capture the main intent behind their design. For instance, limiting functions or facilitating database encryption might be desirable features in certain contexts, but they do not reflect the overarching goal of frameworks, which is to aid in development efficiency and sustainability.