Java
Java developers are now more comfortable in developing Ajax based application. Even without writing a single line of JavaScript, an Ajax based application is possible with Java developer.
Although it requires advanced knowledge of Java technology to enable Java in Ajax, the fact that Java is possible opens doors to the developers who has concentrated in Java. They do not need to learn a brand new language just to go with the most popular development technique.
What made this development possible was the development of Ajax frameworks for Java. Some of the frameworks was developed for Java only but leading the pack was Google Web Toolkit or GWT. This framework translates Java codes and renders it as a JavaScript resulting to an Ajax based application.
In this article let us take a look at two frameworks for Java and how they work to improve an Ajax based application.
Seam – Developed by JBoss, this framework was developed by the said company to cater to the trend of Web 2.0 sites. This framework is the combination of two known frameworks for Java: EJB3 or Enterprise Javabeans and JSF or JavaServer Faces.
These frameworks are for developing Java applications without writing too many codes. What makes this framework special is the development of context based framework. This framework has the ability to log the exchange of information and use the context to enable the back and bookmark button.
To enable JBoss’s Seam for Ajax, this has to be integrated to another set of library called Richfaces – also a product of JBoss.
Spring Web Flow – admittedly the name is rather cute. But if anything could be described for this application, it is not cute. Spring Web Flow is one of the most powerful Java frameworks if you want to develop an Ajax based application.
Anything that you are looking for in any Ajax based application is there. It even goes further by providing the traditional HTML buttons. The back and forward buttons will be provided by this framework without any configuration from the developer. That means the framework could be developed right out of the box.
Spring Web Flow’s functions could be compared to Seam and more. Aside from the ability to record conversation that enables the precious back button, the framework also emphasizes on the flow of the application. Simply designed yet efficiently put, the library of Spring Web Flow provides functions that could be easily implemented and used.
Spring Web Flow has the advantages that you need in a framework. However, Seam comes up with something powerful of its own. Seam has a very powerful XML mechanism. That is why even though Seam has to be integrated to another library to work as Ajax, it is XML functionality makes it worthwhile to work on.
Seam and Spring Web Flow are only two of the numerous Java frameworks. Although it is a framework among the pool of frameworks, it has developed enough to give the developers a chance to build a highly efficient Ajax based website using Java frameworks.
