Even though it is 2022, Java has the world’s largest developer community and is consistently regarded as the most useful programming language. More than 9 million Java developers contribute their skills and knowledge to the platform’s continued development. The Java Frameworks have pushed the race to learn Java to new heights; with its framework, a developer does not have to start from zero when developing a web or mobile application.

What are Web Frameworks and How Do They Work?

There are many descriptions of what a framework is available on the internet, but most of them are convoluted and contain jargon of technical phrases, making it difficult for a newcomer to understand what a Framework is. Web frameworks are simply defined as a set of libraries (predefined code) and APIs (Application Program Interfaces) that call your code and accomplish the task. Code and web applications are created using frameworks.

Use of Java Frameworks Has Many Advantages

Java frameworks take care of various elements that could assist programmers in addition to making programming easier. Before we go deep into the list proper, here are some of the benefits of using Java frameworks you should know first:

1. Efficiency: Consider the following two scenarios: given the fundamental structure of the java codes, you just need to concentrate on the part that is responsible for the software’s main functionality; on the other hand, you must develop the entire program from scratch. Which way do you think you’d like to go? Understandably, programmers will choose the first choice because they don’t have to deal with fundamental problems all of the time. This is how the effectiveness of Java frameworks is demonstrated

2. Cost: Because java frameworks give the basic code structure, programmers are required to create less code. When code is completed more quickly, the cost is reduced in every way, whether it be in terms of time or effort.

3. Optimization: Java frameworks give us pre-written, efficient base code, so developers don’t have to bother about it. They only need to concentrate on the application’s core functionality, which is written to meet the business requirement. They can save time as a result of this.

4. Support communities: Because Java is the most extensively used framework, it has several fan clubs. These are tiny groups of programmers who are utilizing the same framework. They communicate with one another and assist in the resolution of any issues that may emerge.

List of Best JAVA Web Development Framework

1. Play Framework
2. Apache Wicket
3. JSF – JAVA Server Faces
4. Spring
5. Struts
6. Hibernate
7. GWT (Google Web Toolkit)
8. Vert.X
9. Vaadin
10. Spark

1. Play Framework: Light Bend was built in 2007 as a sturdy, open-source, and lightweight Java Framework. It is employed in the development of cross-platform web applications. Because Play is written in Scala, it can be used to build web apps by both Scala and Java developers. The Akka toolkit was used to create Play, which runs on the Java Virtual Machine. It also adheres to the MVC design pattern and has features such as code reloading, convention over configuration, and many others.

Features of Play

• Error messages in the browser 
• Code reloading
• Convention over configuration
• Increase productivity

2. Wicket

Otherwise known as Apache Wicket and is a Java-based component-based web application framework. The Apache Software Foundation created and maintains it, and the first version was released in June 2005. It employs plain XHTML for templating and adheres to the MVC design paradigm. It is one of Apache’s lightweight web apps for developing simple web applications. It is a Java-based server-side framework that is free to use.

Wicket’s Advantages

• Has HTML support,
• Excellent documentation
• Built-in testing tools
• You can use it to make simple apps.

Wicket Disadvantages

• Offers High learning curve

3. Java Server Faces (JSF)

It is an open-source Java Web Application framework that was first launched in 2004 and is one of the oldest Java frameworks available. JSF was created by Oracle (the company that owns Java), and it’s used to create a user-web application interface (Java Based). JSF is a component-based design that is built on the MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture. It has a vast and active community because it was released a long time ago. It is regarded as the most powerful Java. Framework, but its execution speed is slow and it uses complex java syntax, making it tough to learn. As a result, newbies sometimes second-guess whether or not to learn this framework.

JSF- Java Server Faces Features include:

• Standards-based UI development
• Oracle developed and maintains it
• Well-organized and informative documentation.
• Reusable user interface components
• Rich libraries 
• It connects user components to data sources
• Has server-side event handlers

Java Server Framework (JSF) drawbacks.

• Steep learning curve 
• Slow pace
• Uses difficult syntax

4. Spring Framework

Spring is a popular and powerful Java Enterprise Edition application framework. It was created by the software company Pivotal Software and first launched on October 1, 2002. Since then, it has grown in popularity. Spring, on the other hand, is at the top of the list when it comes to building Enterprise applications with a high level of security concern. It has a steep learning curve, and while professionals utilize it for their projects, it would not be a smart choice for a new Java developer. MVC architecture is also followed by spring. It features excellent documentation and a thriving and active community.

Features of Spring;

• High security
• Supports relational databases
• Can connect to anything
• Has rich libraries and APIs
• Can process data in real-time streams and batches.

5. Struts

It is an Apache Software Foundation-developed and maintained open-source Java EE (Enterprise Edition) web framework. Struts have two versions, the first of which was launched in 2000 and the second in 2006, both of which are cross-platform (Java Virtual Machine). It’s built on the MVC design and, like other Java frameworks, it’s used to construct Java-based web applications. Struts have their syntax, which makes it difficult for a java developer to grasp and work with them, but their speed makes it worthwhile.

Because of its tough syntax and methodology, it is not the greatest framework for a rookie java developer. Struts may be used with a variety of third-party packages and front-end interfaces.

Struts’ advantages include:

• Built-in testing tools
• Open-source
• Rapid development
• Third-party plugins

Drawbacks of Struts

• Long learning curve
• Difficult approach/ methodology

6. Hibernate

Hibernate is a Java ORM (Object-Relational-Mapping) that isn’t a framework. Hibernate is a framework that serves as a connection between a relational database and Java. It’s well-known for its data-accessing capabilities.

When we want to access data from a relational database where data is stored in a tabular form using Java, which is an object-oriented programming language, there is a conflict. To overcome this conflict, Hibernate ORM is employed. As the demand for data manipulation grows, more Java developers are turning to Hibernate for their projects.

Hibernates Advantages

• Quick development.
• Runs on Open-source
• Powerful ORM

A major disadvantage is

• Lack of data protection.

 7. GWT – Google Web Toolkit 

The Google Web Toolkit (GWT) is an open-source tool created by Google. It’s made for creating Java-based front-end web apps. It comes with well-organized documentation that makes it easier for developers to grasp. It’s a pretty easy tool, as is Google’s specialty of making everything simple to use. It was originally developed to create client-side applications, but it can now create both client and server-side web applications. Its ease of use does not detract from the quality of the applications built on it, nor from its potential to design complicated applications.

GWT Features: 

• This toolkit is simple to use, 
• Has a short learning curve 
• Well-organized documentation. 
• It is used for full stack development.

Major setback: 

• The compilation process is extremely slow.

8. Vert.X

It’s a Java Virtual Machine-based polyglot event-driven application framework. Many languages are supported, including Java, JavaScript, Groovy, Ruby, Scala, and Kotlin. It is created by the Eclipse Foundation, one of the most well-known JAVA IDE organizations. The ‘X’ in vert.X stands for the framework’s multi-language capability. It is a very compact framework, with a file size of around 650 kb, and it follows a modular architecture, which allows the framework software to be divided into small modules.

Vert.X Advantages

• Multilingual capacitated
• Easy to install
• Has a large library
• Modular format 

9. Vaadin

Vaadin is an Apache Software Foundation-licensed open-source web development platform developed by Vaadin. ltd. It’s a type of framework that’s used to create web applications in C++ and Java. Vaadin is a server-side web application framework that provides a rich user interface between the server and the client.

Vaadin Advantages includes;

• The plugin may be used with GWT and Ajax.
• Server-side programming is supported,
• Rich web interface
• Apache is also supported.

10. Spark

It’s an Apache micro framework that can work with Java or Kotlin. Because it is a micro-framework, it is faster, and its limited capabilities are tailored to execute certain jobs. It has a low learning curve, making it an excellent framework for new Java programmers. Though it does not follow the MVC design, it primarily concerns back-end development. You can arrange your software as you want. Its main characteristics are its incredible speed and lightweight.  Examples of Companies using Spark includes; 

• Com 
• Apache
• Asana
• Playlyfe
• Arquillian
• GOSU

Java Frameworks’ Similarities and Differences

You’ve probably noticed a similar trait of almost all of the Java frameworks we’ve discussed so far: they allow you to do a lot more, regardless of how much you know or how much coding expertise you have. Instead of delving further into the language, you’ll be able to obtain a better understanding of the framework. When working on new elements of java, there is always a wealth of documentation available.

There is lots of documentation for any framework that is used in conjunction with a dynamic code analysis tool like Prefix. You’ll have the framework’s history as well as a way to profile your code as you write it in this manner. Users of prefixes find flaws and inefficiencies in their code before it is printed. Regardless of the Java framework you pick, you get all of this and other factors that influence how consumers perceive your applications.

Conclusion

Apart from these ten frameworks, there are many others on the market, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The framework chosen is determined by the requirements of the application to be developed. The fundamental goal of Java frameworks is to make programming easier while also increasing security and productivity. A developer’s programming experience will be enhanced if they are familiar with these frameworks. It’s only an issue of time and curiosity.