Java being an old programming language is still one of the most popular programming languages used in developing apps and web-based programs. When developers start using Java, they get enough tools and programming techniques to create an application from scratch. However, Java is used in one way or the other by even the most in-demand fields such as big data, machine learning, web development, and app development. Being one of the oldest high-level object-oriented programming languages, Java has been designed to have a few implementation dependencies.
A Java developer can write a code once and then run it anywhere. It’s because of this feature of Java that it is becoming a general-purpose language. A code written in Java can run on all platforms that support Java without needing to download a compiler. To make things easier, developers came up with Java frameworks, and that changed everything.
Today, in this article, we are going to learn how Java frameworks can be a great help to you during application development. Also, we will discuss the top 7 Java frameworks that you should be using in 2022 to make your Java-based application stand out from the rest of the competition.
What is a Framework?
Think about a framework as a pre-written code, a cheat code that is already written by other developers and is free to use in your project to build new apps using Java programming language. Keep in mind Java frameworks are specified to Java programming only. You cannot use them with Php or Python in any way possible, and they will not work.
On the other hand, these frameworks can also be considered as pre-written code that acts as a template that can be used for developing applications via custom code writing when needed. These frameworks can be used over and over again, so there is no manual overhead on developers to create everything from scratch.
The Java frameworks will have predefined classes like categories of objects along with the functions that can be used for processing, input, and managing the hardware devices. Also, they are used to enable your users to interact with system software.
What is Java?
We are sure you know what Java is but for newcomers, let’s try to explain it and help them understand the behemoth they are about to take on as they learn Java programming. Java is an object-oriented programming language that has been in use in creating web applications since 1995. Developers use Java to develop program applications, so they work within the boundaries of the domain on which they are working.
Keep in mind you should not be confusing Java with JavaScript. It is a completely different thing, and the Java frameworks don’t work with JavaScript. A Java developer can create amazing apps that can run on servers, browsers, and even on bare-metal machines, virtual machines, etc. While JavaScript needs a browser in all cases.
Benefits of Using Frameworks
Nobody wants to write code. It is a tiring and highly skillset job. That’s why a developer earns more than most of the other employees in a company. But, even companies don’t want to hire too many developers to get the work done. A small-scale company will have a team of 20 developers or even less working on getting things done.
So, in that case, the use of Java frameworks becomes a necessity to lower developers’ needs and burdens. Apart from this one benefit, there are a couple of others as well, which are given below.
1. Security
One of the most important benefits of using a Java framework is added security. An extensively built framework can create better applications that are fully secured and have no loopholes to take advantage of. On the other hand, if you are able to find an issue with the framework, you can directly go to the framework’s website and tell developers about the issue to get it fixed in less time.
2. Support
A framework that is being used by many developers all around the globe will have a large support group and have massive active forums where you can find tips, answers, and even new updates to make your app development process much easier. Moreover, there is also a documentation part in these forums where one gets to understand the implementation of the framework in depth.
3. Efficiency
A simple task will require a couple of hours to be done when you write its code. But with the use of Java frameworks, these simple tasks can be done in less than a minute or two. You need to use these frameworks with predefined functions to make the development much smoother, quick, and effective.
4. Expense
Generally, when it comes to taking care of a framework, you don’t have to pay more money to a developer. Most Java frameworks are developed to help programmers get things done in a short period. The code written for Java frameworks has no issues once you get them. They can be used again and again on different projects to save time and money.
Which is the Most Used Framework for Java Programming?
Now let’s move onto the next part of the article, where we try to crack open some of the Java frameworks to see how they make life easier for a Java developer.
1. Spring
We are starting our list with a lightweight Spring Java framework that is easy to implement. This framework can be used in almost all types of Java projects. The modularity of Spring allows it to be of use for any layer of a project. Moreover, if you want to use it in more than just a single layer, you can implement it on a much wider scope.
In case you are working with MVC architecture, then Spring will be your programming love at the first site of its usage. The framework comes with a tremendous amount of security features that can be called with already provided functions. As a result, the process of authentication, verification, and validation becomes much easier to include in any project. Some of the top companies which use the Spring Java framework are Netflix and eBay.
2. Hibernate
Hibernate is another one of the object-relational mapping tools when it comes to Java programming. A framework that is used to map out an object-oriented domain model to a desired relational database can be done with this amazing framework. You can find the main file of the framework by the name hibernate.cfg.xml. This file will have all the information related to the mapping of Java classes along with their database configuration.
Companies like IBM, Dell, Oracle, and others use hibernate to make their websites and applications run smoothly and with no problem. Suppose you are someone who is building a Java application that requires users to communicate with the database. In that case, Hibernate is the best framework to use for bridging the gaps between the objects and the relational words.
3. Struts
Structs are another enterprise-level framework handled by Apache Software Foundation (ASF). This fully-featured Java framework is capable of providing developers with all the necessary tools to create and maintain Java applications. If you check online, you are going to find out that Struts has two versions – Struts 1, and Struts 2. Struts 2 combines a framework of OpenSymphony and the addition of all the features that are a part of Struts 1. As a result, most of the developers prefer using Struts 2 instead of Struts 1. Struts 2 was developed so it can be used in MVC-based web applications.
There is one thing you need to know about Struts, the documentation for Struts is written assuming that the people who are reading the document are well versed with the working of Java programming. So beginner-level developers need to think one more time before using it. Lastly, it significantly reduces the development time to make the manageability of the application much easier. Companies like Infosys, Accenture, and NexGen Technologies have integrated it into their platform.
4. Java Server Faces (JSF)
The JSF was one of the popular frameworks which were developed and maintained by Oracle. It is also one of the well-known component-based MVC web frameworks that come with reusable UI components that create enriching user interfaces used in server-based applications. Furthermore, there are several added client-side technologies like HTML, CSS, & even JavaScript to make the development much easier. You also get drag-and-drop UI components that can efficiently take on the front-end task without needing a programmer to write much of the code.
On the other hand, JSF also comes with the integration that supports the back-end coding along with the user interface of the application. As a result, you don’t have to worry about using some other compatible back-end Java framework to get things done. Companies that are currently using JSF are Insoft, GameDuell, and others.
5. Grails
Grails is one more framework from Apache offerings. It is a complete open-source framework. Besides, it provides much ease to Java developers’ lives. This framework has markup views allowing developers to generate HTML code. The same applies to JSON and XML. Moreover, there is an active community that solves any of your problems regarding Rails. When you are using Grails, you need to work with Groove language. They are going to continuously develop plugins you can use with no extra cost to enhance your Java-based application.
Moreover, with front-side development ease known as GORM, a data handling toolkit that makes it possible for developers to work and access the relational and non-relational datasets. In case you don’t know, you don’t have to use any new IDE, whatever you are using right now. The documentation of Grails is pretty easy to understand, and courses which help you learn this framework are straightforward to get you started coding in no time. Companies like LinkedIn, TransferWise, Secret Escapes, and others like them all use Grails to develop and maintain their Java applications.
6. Play
This web application framework is an open-source platform that follows one of the best MVC (Model View Control) architectural patterns. Scala was used in the creation of writing this framework. On the other hand, it is also usable with other programming languages which are compiled using JVM bytecode, such as Java. If you have worked with Django or Ruby, you will find Play has many similarities to them. Moreover, this framework doesn’t require the J2EE procedure specifically all the time.
Apart from that, it intends to remove all the issues which are related to traditional Java web development limitations like slow software development cycles, use of tons of configuration, and more. The Play was built using Akka Toolkit, and this framework also minimizes the creation of concurrent and distributed applications with the help of Java Virtual Machine. Companies like Accenture, Coursera, Deloitte, and SoFi use Java framework Play.
7. Google Web Toolkit (GWT)
Another open-source framework is Google Web Toolkit, and this framework was developed by Google to help programmers write client-side Java code and then establish it as JavaScript. There are plenty of Google products that are developed using GWT, like Adsense, Google Wallet, and Blogger.
With the use of GWT, developers will be able to code complex browser applications at a rapid speed. It also makes it possible for users to write and debug code in Ajax applications in Java. Another great thing about GWT is that you can write complex browser-based applications without needing to have an expert level knowledge of front-end technologies such as JavaScript optimization or even a responsive design. Companies that are using GWT are North Carolina A & T State University, Google, and others.
Future of Java
It is expected that more than 28.7 million people will start coding by 2024. From these numbers, it is estimated that more than 63% of programmers will keep on working with Java, Python, HTML/CSS, and SQL. The main reason why Java isn’t going to disappear even after having so many competitors is that Java has virtual machines to back it up.
It comes with technologies like Kotlin and Scala. In addition to this, a programmer can write up a code and use it in different operating systems such as Linux and Windows. Besides, the reactive functions give it a certain edge when creating streaming apps. Java has transformed itself in recent years, and now it can be used in mobile development, big data (IoT) blockchain, and even in artificial intelligence.
Conclusion
So this is what Java frameworks are all about. The more you use them, the better it gets. With the use of Java frameworks, you get to make your application do whatever you like, and most of the things will be much easier for you to develop rather than writing the bare code for it.
We urge new developers to learn the skills of using Java frameworks in their code. As it can save a lot of your time, and you can focus on the main parts of the code, which requires you to write the code from scrap.