If you use Class::DBI::Factory by itself, it's a quick, clean way to work with a set of Class::DBI data classes, providing a simple way to access their data and class methods and removing some of cdbi's limitations: with the factory it's very easy to use the same data classes for different databases at the same time.

If you use Class::DBI::Factory with the set of helper classes that come with it, it's a full framework for MVC-friendly mod_perl-based web applications. The supplied Handler base class makes the factory's simple, consistent interface available on TT2 (or other) templates and hides all the complexity of working under mod_perl. In this context the database-abstraction that the factory offers allows you to use the same application on several sites on the same server, which is where all this began many years ago.

CDF is an older, simpler alternative to application frameworks like Maypole and Catalyst. It doesn't automate the creation of CDBI classes - I prefer to write them - but it handles pretty much everything else and is very easy to extend and override.

The current version is 0.994: there will probably be one or two more candidates before I release version 1, which is meant to be equally at home with mod_perls 1 and 2 and allow very simple migration to Apache 2.

By far the best way to get CDF is through CPAN.pm or CPANPLUS - the new version has a fancy Makefile that will install the demo application for you if you so choose and adjust CDF's dependencies accordingly - but if you just want to have a look at it, you can download it here or skim the voluminous documentation.