The NorthCap University is highly focused on career based specialization for its students and one of such specialization is Java Full-stack where one handles both back-end development tasks such as database, frameworks, servers and also front-end development. In this blog we will talk about Java Spring framework which is a back end framework but before we get into the popularity of the Spring framework in particular, let us first understand why we need to use any framework at all.
As we all know, Java is a secure and robust language for developing web applications, and there are numerous open source and proprietary libraries and APIs to support .in this regard. So why do we need a framework after all?
- Helps us focus on the core task only.
- Brings together years of wisdom in the form of design patterns
- Helps us adhere to the industry and regulatory standards
- Brings down the total cost of ownership for the application
- Binds to a specific version of language and libraries
- Forces us to write an application in a specific manner
Frankly, there are no silver bullets in software development and frameworks are certainly no exception to that. As a result, the context should be used to determine which framework to use for application development.
Popular Java Frameworks Available in Market
Brief Overview of Spring Ecosystem
Spring is not a new framework. In fact, Rod Johnson released the first iteration of Spring in 2002. Subsequently, the framework grew in popularity due to its intuitive handling of common application architecture issues. Specifically, Spring’s greatest strength is as a container for the application. When you create your application within Spring, Spring will manage all of the challenges of maintaining references between objects. Significantly, Spring injects dependencies before the creation of new objects. Moreover, it gives developers greater control over the application’s control flow, all while managing that flow for developers.
Spring is not only a web framework
Mistakenly, developers often refer to Spring as a web framework. However, Spring can work in any Java application, no matter the context. While Spring does provide a module and extensions for building web applications, it’s not limited to the web. Because Spring Framework could handle what J2EE couldn't in a more straightforward and lightweight manner (nowadays is called JEE).
Furthermore, Spring is well-known for being a lightweight framework. It can also be considered a framework of frameworks because it supports a variety of frameworks such as Struts, Hibernate, Tapestry, EJB, JSF, and others. In a broader sense, the framework can be defined as a structure in which we find solutions to various technical problems.
In earlier days, J2EE was intended to create Enterprise Business Components like EJBs that could be easily distributed; however, the level of difficulty required to build and maintain J2EE applications resulted in the creation of the Spring framework; since then, Spring has grown tremendously. Also, in order to deploy a J2EE application, you need a J2EE Container (back then, there weren't many options: Bea WebLogic, IBM WebSphere.). As a result, Spring Applications can be deployed in Tomcat or other Servlet containers.
Comparison table between Spring and other Java based frameworks
Advantages of Spring Framework
There are many advantages of Spring Framework. They are as follows:
1) Predefined Templates
Spring framework provides templates for JDBC, Hibernate, JPA etc. technologies. So there is no need to write too much code. It hides the basic steps of these technologies.
2) Loose Coupling
The Spring applications are loosely coupled because of dependency injection.
3) Easy to test
The Dependency Injection makes easier to test the application. The EJB or Struts application require server to run the application but Spring framework doesn't require server.
4) Lightweight
Spring framework is lightweight because of its POJO implementation. The Spring Framework doesn't force the programmer to inherit any class or implement any interface. That is why it is said non-invasive.
5) Fast Development
The Dependency Injection feature of Spring Framework and it support to various frameworks makes the easy development of Java EE application.
6) Powerful abstraction
It provides powerful abstraction to Java EE specifications such as JMS, JDBC, JPA and JTA.
7) Declarative support
It provides declarative support for caching, validation, transactions and formatting. Spring framework is an open source Java platform that provides comprehensive infrastructure support for developing robust Java applications very easily and very rapidly.
Ms. Vaishali Kalra
Assistant Professor
Computer Science Department (Full-Stack Specialization)
The NorthCap University,Gurugram
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