Most Popular Java Web Development Framework in 2023

Java has been one of the most extensively used programming languages for over 20 years. Statista said over a third of developers globally utilized it in 2022. One aspect of its appeal is the wide variety of Java web framework solutions.

The frameworks make it simple to construct even the most complicated apps. To ensure the successful supply of software solutions, your company should monitor advancements and stay current with framework trends.

The most well-liked Java web development framework of 2023 will be examined in this article, giving IT executives the knowledge they need to choose the best framework for their upcoming projects.

What Exactly are Java Frameworks?

Java frameworks are supplemental libraries developed to facilitate the development of Java programs. They are a collection of pre-made frameworks and building blocks for your app, such as Java classes, templates, components, and more.

The best Java frameworks require the adoption of tried-and-true coding standards and undergo extensive testing. They free you from having to code mundane tasks like connecting to a database or dealing with exceptions, allowing you to concentrate on your app’s business logic instead.

It’s more complex than picking your favourite Java web application framework because they do different things. Some frameworks cater to specific tasks, such as managing databases and those that allow you to construct full-stack Java web applications. It is crucial to know how different Java frameworks compare to one another and how they integrate because you may want to use more than one framework at a time.

Why Are Frameworks Used?

It takes a long time to build complex Java applications from scratch; adding a framework to your stack speeds up the process. Nearly every application requires standard features like data retrieval, security, and privacy. Many of these functionalities are already in the top Java frameworks, saving you from creating them from scratch with each new project.

Additionally, they offer a software architecture that aids in developing an organized program. You can ensure that your Java code is consistently updated and thoroughly tested because these frameworks are still under active development.

Additionally, it’s simpler to grow your workforce because you can bring on people knowledgeable about both Java programming and the framework you employ. Most Java frameworks also have their own ecosystem of resources, including documentation, educational content, discussion boards, and social networking channels, which can be highly beneficial and enhance the development process. Join our Java classes in Pune and take the first step towards becoming a skilled Java developer.

The List of The Most Popular Java Web Development Platforms in 2023

1. Spring

Spring is the most popular Java framework and for good reason. There is a sizable community of users and supporting infrastructure present. The platform makes creating web services, microservices, and enterprise-grade Java applications easier.

Spring was initially designed as a dependency injection framework but has since evolved into a full-fledged application framework. Its comprehensive programming and configuration approach simplifies the commonplace tasks of connecting to a database and handling problems. As the system is based on the Java Virtual Machine, you can use it with languages like Java, Kotlin, and Groovy.

The Spring framework uses the inversion of control (IoC) methodology. Instead of the custom code calling out to other libraries to do tedious tasks, as is done in traditional programming, the framework is in charge of the custom code.  This allows you to create independently functioning parts for your Spring applications.

The Spring Framework is a powerful tool for developing enterprise-level Java applications, but mastering it takes dedication and patience. This is because it is a versatile framework that can be used for various enterprise-level software tasks and runs on multiple devices.

There are many moving parts in the configuration, setup, build, and deployment processes that you might want to avoid dealing with, especially on a smaller project. The solution is Spring Boot, a lightweight framework built on top of Spring that streamlines the setup process for your Spring applications. Look no further than Java training in Pune.

2. Struts

The Apache Software Foundation supports and improves Struts, a robust Java web application framework. It’s often compared to Spring Framework; both are reputable platforms with substantial communities. Struts facilitate the creation and maintenance of Java enterprise applications.

The Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural paradigm is used extensively in this project. Using specialized “plugins,” the framework can be modified to meet the requirements of every given undertaking.  Struts plugins are easily transportable JAR packages that may be integrated into your program by including them in the class path. The framework ships with several pre-installed plugins, such as JSON, REST, Config Browser, and others; however, you can install other plugins from anywhere.

A Java framework is Struts. As a result, it can be combined with other Java frameworks to perform platform-independent operations. Object-relational mapping with the Hibernate plugin and dependency injection with the Spring plugin are only two examples. Struts allow you to use various client-side technologies, such as Jakarta Server Pages, to create your application’s front end.

There might be better choices than struts if you need to create server-side components that can be rendered in the browser. Consider looking into a new framework with a more flexible architecture, such as Tapestry or Wicket.

3. Hibernate

To improve communication between Java programs and relational database management systems, Hibernate provides a trustworthy object-relational mapping solution.

The Impedance of Objects to Their Relationships When working with object-oriented (OO) languages like Java, a problem known as a Mismatch (or Paradigm Mismatch) might develop. Due to their dissimilar approaches to data management, OO languages and RDBMSs are only sometimes compatible. While data is stored in a tree structure in object-oriented languages, it is stored in tabular form in relational databases. For instance, a mismatch problem exists when the number of classes in your object-oriented model exceeds the number of tables in your relational database.

Hibernate provides a framework for addressing incompatibility problems in Java code. Persistence is the target, which means that data from the application should be available even after the originating process has terminated.

Despite its namesake, Hibernate can access relational and non-relational (NoSQL) databases. Excellent development tools include the mapping editor, the Hibernate console, and the database reverse engineering tool.

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4. Play

The Play Framework enables the development of web-friendly, portable Java and Scala desktop and mobile programs.  Numerous well-known organizations use the play framework, including Verizon, LinkedIn, Samsung, Walmart, and The Guardian.

Unlike most Java frameworks, it is independent of the Jakarta EE specifications. Play’s purpose is to eliminate the issues of regular Java web development, like long development cycles and a lot of configuration. Consequently, it is occasionally compared to web frameworks for scripting languages, such as Ruby on Rails and Django for Python.

Play is based on the Akka framework, making creating concurrent and distributed applications in the Java Virtual Machine environment easier. As a result, Play switches to an entirely asynchronous paradigm, which enhances scalability.

The Play Framework is designed with developer productivity in mind, with features like in-browser error messages and hot code reloading. A Reactive System adheres to modern system architecture (reactive, resilient, elastic, and message-driven) to offer more flexible and fault-tolerant outcomes.

5. Vaadin

Vaadin provides a platform for effective Java development. It helps you to build web applications from scalable components while putting performance, accessibility, and user experience (UX) first.

Vaadin 10+ takes a unique approach to web app development by providing direct access to the DOM (Document Object Model) via the Java Virtual Machine.The Vaadin team divided the previously monolithic base into two pieces with the latest version. It comprises several browser-based user interface components and the lightweight Java Vaadin Flow framework, which manages routing and server-client communication.

The components adhere to the most modern web and accessibility standards and are designed with mobile devices in mind. Vaadin components work with any frontend framework, including React, Angular, and Vue. You can either develop your own theme using Vaadin components or utilize one of the two pre-made themes provided by Vaadin, Lumo (the default) or Material.

To handle the more technical parts of your project, such as an automatic server-client connection, WebSockets, and data binding, Flow offers a high-level Java API. You can access the entire Java ecosystem because Flow runs on the JVM; for example, you might use Spring Boot to start your program.. Additionally, you can use Flow to create your app in Scala or Kotlin.

6. GWT ( Google Web Toolkit)

Google’s foundation for creating web pages is called the Google Web Toolkit (GWT). Writing Java code on the client and sending it to the browser as JavaScript makes it possible to create Java web applications rapidly.

Java framework GWT (pronounced: “gwit”) is reliable and regularly updated.It is utilized in several Google services, including Google Ads, AdSense, Blogger, and Google Walle . The Google Web Toolkit website contains helpful resources, such as tutorials, developer guidelines, and a sample application.

You need a basic understanding of front-end technologies like JavaScript optimization and responsive design to use GWT to create browser-based applications. You need a basic understanding of front-end technologies like JavaScript optimization and responsive design to use GWT to create browser-based applications.

7. Wicket

A web application framework called Wicket functions similarly to Jakarta Faces and Tapestry, comprising pieces.It lets you write beautiful, easy-to-use apps with HTML and Java code. Like Struts and Tapestry, the Apache Software Foundation takes care of the system.

Since Wicket is a component-based system, apps have pages and parts that can be used repeatedly, like images, buttons, links, forms, etc. It is based on the POJO data model, which means that Wicket components are just regular Java objects. Since components come in packages that can be used repeatedly, you can add CSS and JavaScript.

Wicket makes it easy to make your apps, pages, and components work in more than 25 languages.Ajax allows you to make changes to your page in real-time without writing any JavaScript code. It also takes care to handle private URLs safely. Component paths are tied to the current session, and URLs don’t give away confidential information.

8. Dropwizard

RESTful web services can be created fast with the help of the Dropwizard Java framework, which is simple and high-performance.It functions exceptionally well for constructing Java microservices.

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To offer a rapid, distraction-free development environment, the Dropwizard framework includes several well-known Java components.It has numerous popular Java libraries pre-installed, including the Jetty server, Google Guava, Logback, Hibernate Validator, and Joda Time.Dropwizard also comes with Jackson, a tool for managing JSON, and Jersey, a framework for developing RESTful web services. Consider Dropwizard as a unique ecosystem combining each element above into a single unit.

You won’t have to put any work into extra features like setting up metrics or writing logging code if you utilize Dropwizard. Instead, you can increase efficiency by focusing on your program’s primary business logic. Consequently, Dropwizard is frequently characterized as an operations-friendly Java framework.

9. Grails

The Grails framework is a Groovy-based web application development environment. The goal of the object-oriented Groovy language, which runs on the Java platform, is to increase programmer efficiency. It is compiled to JVM (Java Virtual Machine) bytecode and has a syntax compatible with Java.

Groovy is the sole programming language that can be used with Grails, but the framework is compatible with the Java Development Kit, Jakarta EE containers, Hibernate, and Spring. To take advantage of Spring Boot’s time-saving capabilities like dependency injection, Grails is constructed over it. Thanks to the efficiency of the Groovy programming language, Grails allows you to write significantly less code while achieving the same goals.

Convention over configuration and sensible defaults are just a few of the current software development ideas that Grails adheres to. It’s also great for programmers because it has rich plugins, well-documented API, and documentation. Grails provides IDE support for Eclipse, Sublime, Textmate, and IntelliJ IDEA, and you may even write your own plugins.

10. JavaServer Faces

Modern user interfaces (UIs) can be easily created using the JavaServer Faces (JSF) technology.  JSF allows developers to construct web applications with flexible user interfaces, straightforward data, and client event integration.

Even though this framework produces front-end solutions, it was created with back-end developers in mind. The problems that front-end code can create for back-end functions are lessened with JSF.  Another MVC-based framework, JSF, enables developers to make “faces” for Java apps while leaving plenty of room for functionality.

JSF is also widely supported by the community and is incorporated into some Java language components. As a result, this framework offers developers who wish to create sophisticated apps an improved alternative to writing whole code and incorporating a front-end workflow.

11. MyBatis

MyBatis is a Java-based persistence framework streamlining and accelerating relational (SQL) database access. The application and the database have different architectures, but the framework functions as a go-between to resolve these problems.

MyBatis is a barrier between the Java code in your application and the underlying SQL database. Accessing data sources like relational databases and spreadsheets requires Java applications to use the JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) API. You can interact with relational databases using MyBatis with a lot less code.  For instance, a single line of Java code can execute a whole SQL statement.

Like the Hibernate framework, MyBatis enables communication between the application and database layers.  Unlike Hibernate, which associates Java objects with database tables, MyBatis associates Java methods with SQL queries. Therefore, SQL is viewable within the MyBatis framework, and you retain control over SQL execution (although you must still manually craft your SQL queries and organize your mapping).

12.  PrimeFaces

PrimeFaces is a widely used web framework for developing Jakarta EE and Jakarta Faces applications’ lightweight user interfaces. It is used by many Fortune 500 companies, government organizations, and academic institutions.

PrimeFaces is a very compact library. It is distributed as a single JAR file with no configuration requirements or external dependencies. With its extensive library of components, in-built skinning framework, and library of pre-designed themes and layouts, you can quickly develop a user interface for your Java program. PrimeFaces is based on Jakarta Faces, so it shares some of its benefits, such as the ability to create applications quickly. The framework is compatible with all existing Java applications.

The PrimeFaces website features a comprehensive gallery of PrimeFaces samples, including widgets, skins, and components. The components include appropriate code snippets that may be copied and pasted into your project or modified as needed. For instance, the submenus of a root item can be shown in a horizontal mega menu. PrimeFaces is a Sass-based theme engine with a theme builder, a sample theme, font icons, and over 500 variables. Learn the Java j2ee skills from masters at Java J2EE Training in Pune

13.  Vert.x

A multilingual framework called Vert. x runs on the Java Virtual Machine.It allows for developing Java, JavaScript, Groovy, Ruby, Scala, and Kotlin applications Applications built using its event-driven design grow well even with limited hardware resources.

Vert. X’s creation and maintenance are the responsibility of the Eclipse Foundation. The polyglottic character of Vert.x, denoted by the ‘x’, allows for creating legitimate code in various languages. For each programming language that is supported, it offers idiomatic APIs.

Vert. x is an event-driven, non-blocking framework that can handle multiple concurrent tasks with just a few threads. Vert. x is also relatively small and light, with the main framework measuring only 650 KB. It includes a modular architecture that enables you to use only the required parts to keep your program slick. If you want to create both lightweight and highly scalable microservices, Vert. x is the best option.

 14. JHipster

With JHipster, you can quickly and easily create a web project using Spring Boot and modern frontend frameworks like Vue, Angular, and React.Adobe, Siemens, Bosch, HBO, Google, and Google are some companies that use it. You can whip up sleek Java-based web apps and microservices in no time with JHipster.

With Spring Boot, you can quickly build Spring-based apps ready for production with minimal setup. JHipster adds the client-side frameworks Angular, React, Vue, and Bootstrap for a comprehensive solution. If you’re curious about the finished product, the JHipster team has provided sample apps in Angular, React, and Vue.

There are two distinct building types available in JHipster. A monolithic architecture integrates the java frontend framework and java backend frameworks into a solitary program.Another option is microservice architecture, which isolates the front- and back-ends.

 In addition to supporting a wide range of integrations, JHipster provides a wealth of features for client- and server-side development, packaging, and various DevOps operations.

The Bottom Line

These Java web development frameworks each have a distinct function. Therefore, it is crucial to grasp their capabilities before selecting one or more of them for your project.You must consider your specific needs, deadline, and financial limits to choose the optimal course of action.To learn Java from industry experts visit 3RI Technologies.