What are the best Java frameworks in 2024 for my project?
Which Java framework is best for web development?
What are the different types of Java frameworks?
Here, in this blog, you will get answers to all such questions. Let’s go!
We are in 2024, and you can see that Java is still one of the most popular programming languages in the world. As per Statista, Java holds stunning popularity standing at 21.42% under the category of programming languages.
The chart below indicates that Java is the 2nd most popular language worldwide.
Java is not only among the most popular computer programming languages, but it is also a platform. A platform is an environment that helps create and run programs written in any programming language.
Moreover, various frameworks have been designed to make coding in Java easier and faster. Before moving ahead, let’s first discuss what a web framework is.
A web framework is a program that permits you to quickly develop web applications without needing to write the program’s basic functionality. The framework denotes a structured system you can change to create new applications for specific software.
Hence, a web framework simplifies the entire software-making process. Instead of writing all the complex code for software, you can use the framework to make specific changes without rewriting the whole code.
It indicates that if you use a popular java framework, you can focus more on writing the business logic of your app instead of writing the fundamental functions such as making database connections or handling exceptions. Hence, you can get started if you have some knowledge and experience in using java frameworks.
Explore leading Java frameworks for cutting-edge web apps.
Also Read: A Complete Guide to Outsource Java Development Projects in 2024
Table of Contents
Most Popular Java Frameworks for Web Development 2024
1. Struts
Struts is a free, open-source framework designed to create mobile and web applications. It is used to create the base of a web application. It functions on a particular pattern MVC known as Model ViewController. Struts has a plugin-based architecture, and plugins are helpful as they make it possible to extend the framework to fit different requirements.
These are portable and can be integrated into the classpath of the app you create. Struts is among the most popular java frameworks for the backend. Its plugins are bundled with other frameworks like JSON plugin, REST plugin, Config Browser Plugin, etc.
So, developers can add others from third-party sources and easily integrate Struts with other Java frameworks to perform tasks not created on the platform. For instance, programmers can use the spring plugin for dependency injection or the hibernate plugin for object-relational mapping.
Notable Features of Struts:
- Configurable MVC components.
- POJO based actions
- AJAX support
- Various Result Types
- Various Tag support
- Theme and Template support
2. Vaadin
Vaadin offers you a platform for efficient Java web development. It permits you to create web apps with customizable components focusing on performance, UX, and accessibility. Applications of Vaadin are server-side rather than client-side.
It differs from the conventional solutions or other top java frameworks available worldwide. Vaadin approaches web app development in an entire way. It permits direct access to DOM from the Java Virtual Machine.
With the new release, the Vaadin team divides the previously monolithic framework into two different components. It has a lightweight Java framework that operates routing, server-client communication, and a set of UI components in the user’s browser.
Notable Features of Vaadin:
- Apache supports it
- Uses server-side programming
- Create rich and interactive web interfaces
- Good documentation
- Form input components
- Responsive layouts
3. Wicket
Wicket is a component-based web application framework similar to JavaServer Faces and Tapestry. It permits you to write user-friendly applications with the help of pure Java and HTML code.
Moreover, it is open-source and server-side, and all the code is scripted in Java since wicket applications are made up of reusable pages and components like images, buttons, links, forms, and others. Programming wicket applications centers around POJOs. Components get bundled as reusable packages so that developers can add custom CSS & Javascript to them.
Wicket helps you internationalize your applications, pages, and components by offering excellent support for over 25 languages. Its built-in Ajax functionality lets you update your page’s elements in real time.
Notable Features of Wicket:
- Widget
- Reusable Component
- AJAX Support
- Multilingual
- Open-source
- Component-based architecture
4. Vert.x
Vert.x is a polyglot framework that operates on the Java Virtual machine. It permits you to write your apps in programming languages like Java, javascript, Groovy, Ruby, Scala, and Kotlin. Its event-driven architecture results in applications scaling efficiently, even with minimum hardware resources.
Vert.x is created and maintained by the Eclipse Foundation, whose most famous project is Eclipse IDE for Java development. And ‘x’ refers to the polyglottic nature of this popular java framework. Moreover, Vert.x is a library, not a container. It implies that you can easily apply other tools and components from other libraries that you prefer or require to create your web application.
Notably, Vert.x supports several languages and is quite simple to set up. It is highly modular and allows developers to use any library necessary for the project. The only problem with this java framework is that it is pretty difficult to scale it onto larger systems.
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Notable Features of Vert.x:
- Polyglot
- Simple concurrency model
- Asynchronous programming model
- Creates non-blocking applications
- Distributed event bus
- Reusable components
5. Spring MVC
Spring MVC is one of the oldest java frameworks. It allows you to create enterprise-level java applications. Spring started as a dependency injection tool, but it developed into a full-scale application framework with time. It offers an all-inclusive programming and configuration model with support for generic tasks like setting up a database connection or handling exceptions.
Other than Java, you can use this framework with Kotlin and Groovy. These operate on Java Virtual Machine. This framework uses inversion of control software design principles. You can create loosely coupled modules for your spring applications.
Since it is highly modular, it permits you to write exceptionally clean and accessible code. The only downside about spring is that it’s a complex web framework, and in case you are new to Java programming, then this probably would not be the best choice. It requires a lot of basic knowledge to work on this framework.
Notable Features of Spring MVC:
- IoC Container
- Aspect-oriented programing
- Transaction management framework
- Separation of roles
- Straightforward configuration
- Reusable business code
6. GWT or Google Web Toolkit
Google Web Toolkit is counted among the top open-source java front-end frameworks that allows you to create and modify applications. It has the unique capability of creating complex applications in an easy method. It’s been developed by the world’s best search engine Google.
Furthermore, GWT permits programmers to write client-side java code and deploy it as javascript for the web browser. It has been used in various Google products such as AdWords, Blogger, AdSense, and Google wallet. Not only this, it has a full-fledged website with all the tools and resources that a developer may require while coding.
Notable Features of GWT:
- Dedicated support
- Good documentation
- Professional and well developed
- Stable & well maintained
- Cross-browser portability
- UI Abstraction
7. Blade
Blade is a simple application framework with little footprint. It is based on Java eight and offers a RESTful style routing interface, making web API relatively cleaner and easy to understand. Furthermore, Blade has good documentation & supports simple data synchronization with the website.
Notable Features of Blade:
- Simple and lightweight framework
- Netty server and template engine
- MVC structure
- Inbuilt security features
- Plugin extensions
- Web jar resources
8. Grails
Grails is a Groovy-based java web application framework. A groovy programming language is an object-oriented programming language for the java platform that aims to enhance developer productivity. Grails work perfectly with most Java-related tools and technologies like Java development kit or JDK, Java EE containers, Spring, Hibernate, and Quartz.
Notable Features of Grails:
- Compiled to Java Virtual Machine
- Detailed documentation
- A plugin library
- Groovy Lineage
- Optimized Reloading Agent
- Built-In Testing Framework
9. Hibernate
Hibernate is a stable object-relational mapping java framework. It is famous for efficient database communication, making it much easier and highly organized. Moreover, it is easy to configure and customizable. Furthermore, Hibernate has only one limitation. When you start this ORM framework, it takes time to get back to where you were working.
Notable Features of Hibernate:
- Developed for RDBMS
- Supports the NoSQL database
- Mapping editor
- Hibernate console
- Open Source
- Object Relational Mapping
10. JavaServer Faces (JSF)
JavaServer Faces is a Java-based web application framework intended to simplify the development integration of web-based user interfaces. It is a standardized display technology, which was formalized in a specification through the Java community process.
Moreover, it is based on the MVC software design pattern and has an architecture that clearly defines a distinction between application logic and representation.
Notable Features of JavaServer Faces:
- Create custom tags
- Reusable components
- Uses XML
- Component-Based Framework
- Implements Facelets Technology
- Integration with Expression Language
11. Play
The Play framework is a high-velocity web framework for Java and Scala that permits a highly productive workflow, but it doesn’t sacrifice scalability. The play features a “just-hit-refresh” workflow that permits a rapid development cycle.
The compilation and application reloading happen behind the scenes. Play is built for the modern web by being non-blocking, RESTful by default, and having built-in asset compilers for modern client-side technologies like Typescript, CoffeeScript, and LESS.
Built upon Akka Toolkit, the play framework abridge the creation of concurrent and distributed applications on the Java virtual machine. Its user interface is simple and intuitive.
Good points for Play
- Hot reload for all Java code, configurations, and templates
- Open-source with a large community to contribute
- Can handle Compile and runtime errors
- Supports non-blocking I/O, which is crucial for high-performance apps
Negative Points
- Steep learning curve
- Extensive documentation
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Also Read: Java Vs .NET: Which Is Better For Your Business in 2024?
Top Java Frameworks 2024 for Web Development Infographic
Conclusion
I hope you are now quite confident about various java web frameworks. You can easily select the best of them according to your requirements.
You can contact us if you want to hire Java developers to work on several java frameworks. At PixelCrayons, you will find Java developers with more than 14 years of experience. Moreover, we offer you Java Programmers at the cost of less than 60% of the price available in the market.
If you still have specific questions in your mind regarding java frameworks, you can directly communicate with us through our email, phone number, or skype. No worries, our IT consulting services are FREE!
Also Read: Java versus .Net
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Framework is Used in Java?
There are various frameworks in Java. Following is the list of the leading frameworks in Java for 2023:
- Struts
- Vaadin
- Wicket
- Vert.x
- Spring MVC
- GWT
- Blade
- Grails
- Hibernate
- JSF
- Play
2. Which Framework is Better for Java?
The choice of Java framework depends upon the type of web development work. But still, the Spring framework is better for Java web development. It is one of the oldest Java frameworks that allow you to create enterprise-level java applications.
3. Which Framework is Most Widely Used in Java?
Spring is the most widely used framework in Java. It is used for building enterprise-level Java applications. Spring started as a dependency injection tool but developed into a full-scale application framework with time.
4. Is JDK a Framework?
Yes, it’s an open-source framework.
5. What is the Spring Framework?
Spring is one of the oldest java frameworks. It allows you to create enterprise-level java applications. Spring started as a dependency injection tool but developed into a full-scale application framework with time.
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