Java Frameworks Overview

A quick and simple overview about some of the most used Java frameworks.

Hibernate - The name itself is just the main name of a set of frameworks, including the Hibernate ORM (that is indeed the database framework) and Hibernate Validator. With the time and increase of popularity, just the name 'Hibernate' was being used to refer to the Hibernate ORM.

Hibernate ORM - Hibernate Object Relational Mapping, widely used JPA implementation. It supports annotations and act as a library that abstract database operations, using JDBC under the hood.

Hibernate Validator - Used to validate the input data from the view, you can for example, configure it using annotations in the model to do a server-side validation, supports regex too.

Struts - Framework that extends the Java Servlet API and employs the MVC architecture. It enables you to create maintainable, extensible, and flexible web applications based on standard technologies, such as JSP pages, JavaBeans, resource bundles, and XML.

Spring - "Successor" of Struts, it's a framework and inversion of control container for Java applications, widely used for web applications over J2EE.

Swing - Java GUI library widely used for desktop/Java SE applications.

Primefaces - Consist of several GUI elements for JSF pages.

Richfaces - Another GUI component library for JSF, similar to Primefaces.