Java is still the world\’s third most popular programming language in 2023. It has a large ecosystem and over 9 million Java developers worldwide. Java\’s popularity can be attributed to a few important features: it is a platform-independent language (write once, run anywhere) that adheres to the object-oriented programming paradigm and is simple to comprehend, create, and debug.
There are numerous ways to construct Java applications due to the language\’s maturity (the most recent LTS (long-term support) release is Java 17) and popularity. While you can always create Java code from scratch, several good Java frameworks allow you to construct web and mobile applications, microservices, and REST APIs that operate effectively on the Java Virtual Machine.
In this comprehensive guide, we\’ll look at a few major Java frameworks used in web development and outline the primary benefits and drawbacks of each.
What exactly are Java frameworks?
Java frameworks are software libraries designed to make the development of Java applications simpler and faster. They are pre-written Java code, classes, templates, components, and other structures that can be used as the foundation for your program.
The greatest Java frameworks have been thoroughly tested and enforce the usage of proper development standards. They let you concentrate on your apps’ business logic rather than creating basic functionality such as database connectivity or exception handling.
However, because not all Java frameworks serve the same goal, selecting one is more than a matter of personal preference. Some allow you to build full-stack Java web applications, while others focus on either the frontend or the backend, and there are other frameworks for specific tasks like database management. In some circumstances, you may want to use more than one framework at the same time, thus it\’s critical to understand how various Java frameworks compare to and integrate.
Why are frameworks used?
Creating sophisticated Java applications from scratch takes a long time, and including a framework in your stack makes this process easier. Many basic capabilities, such as data retrieval, security, and privacy, are required by practically every application. Many of these capabilities are included in the top Java frameworks, so you don\’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you start a new project.
They also give a software architecture that aids in the development of well-structured applications. Because these frameworks are actively being developed, you can ensure that your Java code is routinely updated and thoroughly tested.
Let us now look at the most popular Java frameworks.
Spring Framework: Enterprise-level Java application framework
Spring is the most well-known and popular Java framework, with a massive ecosystem and an active community. It enables the development of enterprise-level Java applications, web services, and microservices.
Spring began as a dependency injection tool but has since evolved into a full-fledged application framework. It provides a comprehensive programming and configuration model that includes support for generic operations like creating database connections and managing exceptions. Aside from Java, the framework may also be used with the Kotlin and Groovy programming languages, both of which run on the Java Virtual Machine.
Pros: – massively popular and extremely reliable framework – adaptable configuration – sloppy coupling (due to dependency injection) – simple-to-test applications (due to dependency injection) – makes use of POJOs (Plain Old Java Objects) – comprehensive documentation – a vibrant community
Cons: complication (steep learning curve) – a lot of boilerplate code must be written (unless you use Spring Boot).
Struts: MVC framework for enterprise-level Java applications
The Apache Software Foundation maintains and develops Struts, a full-featured Java web application framework. It\’s a strong platform with a large community, and it\’s frequently compared to the Spring Framework. Struts enables the development of enterprise-level Java applications that are simple to maintain over time.
It has a plugin-based architecture and adheres to the MVC (Model-View-Controller) software design paradigm. Plugins allow the framework to be extended to meet the needs of various projects. Struts plugins are simple JAR packages, therefore they are portable and can be added to your app\’s classpath. Some plugins are included with the framework (JSON, REST, Config Browser, and so on), while others can be obtained from third-party sources.
Pros: – stable and mature framework – preference for convention over configuration – extendable through plugins – simple to interact with other Java frameworks and technologies – is compatible with web technologies (REST, AJAX, JSON)
Cons: – no security mechanism (see their security advice, which you must implement yourself)
Hibernate: Object-relational mapping framework for a better database communication
Hibernate is a reliable object-relational mapping framework that enhances communication between Java programming and relational database management systems (RDBMSs).
When working with object-oriented (OO) languages like Java, you\’ll run across a problem known as an Object-Relational Impedance Mismatch (also known as Paradigm Mismatch). Data is handled differently in OO languages and RDBMSs, which might lead to mismatch issues. OO languages arrange data as a hierarchy of objects, whereas relational databases store the same data in tables. When the number of classes in your object-oriented model exceeds the number of available tables in your relational database, you have a mismatch.
Pros: – object-oriented interface (no SQL interfaces required) – allows any class or data structure to be persistent – supports different fetching strategies – automatic versioning and time stamping – scalability – extensibility and configuration
Cons: sluggish performance for complex queries – difficult learning curve
That concludes our Java framework comparison. Because each of these frameworks serves a different function, understanding their benefits, drawbacks, and capabilities is critical before selecting one or more for your specific Java project.
To select the finest Java framework for your application, you must consider your goals, budget, and team knowledge, among other things.
Several resources on SnapStack\’s team who are Java specialists are eager to give the best solutions. If you require such resources, please contact us at contact@snapstack.cz or through our social media channels.
Enjoy the remainder of your week, and we\’ll see you next Friday. Cheers.
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