Frameworks >> Struts

Is Struts 2 Framework Obsolete

Struts has been the De-facto framework for writing Java/JEE based web applications. Any web application which needs to use MVC design pattern framework can be written using Struts.

Initially Struts 1 was so popular that every architect considered Struts 1 as  the best option for writing the MVC web application. The popularity was because of the fact that other frameworks and tools like jxl,EJB and BRMS etc. could also be used with Struts 1 without any bottlenecks.

In 2006, webwork and Struts were combined together to form a new MVC web framework named Struts 2 Framework. struts.xml, tiles, action classes, request processing, controller and struts taglibs were all modified in Struts 2 framework so as to ease the life of developers and overcome Struts 1 limitations. One such limitation was the removal of dependency on ActionServlet class in Struts 2 framework which helped in writing the Junit tests easier.

But the question that many developers think is that after 5 years of its inception, does Struts 2 framework still compete with other web based MVC frameworks. The answer is yes. Struts 2 framework is still being widely used in many web application primarily because of its popularity. Many developers still don’t know about Stripes, Click, MyFaces and Play frameworks which may provide much better features as compared to Struts 1.

One can find a number of third party plugins for Struts 2 framework. The list of Struts 2 plugins include EJB3, Jquery and DOJO etc.

So all in all, Struts 2 Framework is still a good option for writing your web application. Of course there are other frameworks like GWT, Oracle ADF which may have inherent features to write Rich Internet Applications but there is no one stopping the developer to write RIA with Struts by using various tools like jQuery. Next time someone criticizes you for using Struts 2, be confident and ask them to see what was the last time a general availability (GA) release was given by Apache. At the time of writing this article, latest Struts 2 GA release was 2.2.3 and was released  on 5 May 2011.

Struts 2 Framework vs Spring MVC

Another comparison that is drawn with respect to Struts 2 framework is the difference between Struts 2 and Spring 3 MVC. If an application is going to use any other Spring module like Web Services, AOP, IoC then it is better to use Spring MVC for designing the web application and if other Spring modules are not going to be used then anything can  be used  based on client’s interest and prior experience with Struts 1.

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