What Java web framework to use?
I have a very “neglected open source project”:http://code.google.com/p/teamdocs/ that I am going to start working on again. I am going to rewrite it from the ground up using Hibernate and JPA or Hibernate Annotations (I am not quite sure yet), probably Spring, and some web framework. The problem is that I can’t pick a framework.
I was going to go with “Wicket”:http://wicket.sourceforge.net/, but I am not sure I want to go with something that is component based and I can’t really find any good tutorials. There is suppose to be a book coming out, but I don’t really want to wait. On the other hand, it is supposed to be fairly easy to learn and fun to work with.
I have also been thinking of using “Struts 2″:http://struts.apache.org/2.x/. Yesterday, I found a nice “120 page tutorial on getting started”:http://code.google.com/p/sq1-struts2/ with it that would be a huge help. Struts is the 800 pound gorilla when it comes to web frameworks and Struts 2 is suppose to be easier to learn and work with.
Then there is Spring MVC, Tapestry, Echo2, Trails, Stripes, JSF, etc, etc, etc.
Anyone have any suggestions on which one to learn and use? My only requirements are that it be fairly easy to learn, has very good tutorial and documentation support, being actively developed, and is not Struts 1.x, and has some IDE/tool support.
Unfortunately I do not have a lot of experience with different Java frameworks. But your project sounds like something I’d be interested in helping with…
For my own project I’m using Google Web Toolkit, very agile, but does everything I want it to…
Take a look at JSF with the currently open sourcing exadel eclipse plugin.
http://www.exadel.com/web/portal/products/ExadelStudioPro
Begin shameless self promotion —
Have a look at http://waffle.sf.net
It avoids XML like the plague and only has 2 annotations (which are optional).
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There is a book on Wicket: http://www.apress.com/book/bookDisplay.html?bID=10189
A second one, Wicket In Action is still in the making. It’ll take a few more months to complete that. However, the WIKI isn’t half bad, most functionality that matters in Wicket is covered by the examples projects, and the mailing lists are amongst the most active around, with tens of thousands of messages archived. And there’s the ##wicket IRC channel of Freenode, which typically has between 25 – 45 people hanging out. So… if it is documentation and support you’re looking for, Wicket is about as good as it gets.
+1 on waffle.
PS. What does 80lb. gorilla mean? http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=800-pound+gorilla
800 pound gorilla is a well known term. Is 80lb gorilla some sort of insult?
Just curious.
Josh, it either means I made a mistake and was off by a factor of 10 or the poor Gorilla finally went on a diet
.
Waffle is a new framework that I haven’t heard about, I will have to check it out.
hey chris,
struts 2 is ok if you use spring along with. actually the 2.06 release (GA) has annotations. Too bad our project started before that release so it’s full of xml.
That link you have is pretty useful. Struts2 is a pain the ass to look for documentation, you sometimes have to go dig in webwork’s stuff to find what you want.
Don’t you want to drink a little of Google’s kool-aid and use Guice instead of Spring for IOC? =)
I have happily been using a Spring-WebWork stack for several years, so I’d have to recommend Struts-2.
SEAM
is good.
http://click.sourceforge.net/
I like this framework because it is page based, component based, and the control objects render themselves without any need for templating. Quick, simple, and easy.
I have searches among 50+ java web frameworks. This one looks really neat and has superb documentation? Anyone know of any other similar frameworks which are similar but better. e.g. page based, component based, most controls are rendered automatically and laid out in code.
It’s probably a bit late, but I’ve written a fairly detailed tutorial on Wicket available at http://www.agileskills2.org/EWDW/chapters1-3.pdf.
It’s never too late for another Wicket tutorial. Thanks for the link.
The book looks good. Is this something you are planning on publishing? I look forward to seeing the rest of the book.
You are correct, there are not many books or tutorials out there that show you how to use Wicket with TDD, Spring, Hibernate and JPA.