Apache Struts vs Spring Boot: What are the differences?

Introduction

Apache Struts and Spring Boot are both widely used frameworks in the Java ecosystem. While both frameworks are used for developing Java-based applications, there are several key differences between them that make each suitable for different use cases.

1. MVC vs Microservices: Apache Struts is primarily focused on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern. It provides a robust framework for building server-side applications using this pattern. On the other hand, Spring Boot is designed for building microservices and follows a more lightweight and modular approach, allowing developers to easily create standalone applications or microservices.

2. Configuration vs Convention over configuration: Apache Struts relies heavily on XML configuration files for defining the application's behavior and mapping requests to actions and views. This makes it more suitable for applications that require fine-grained control over the configuration. In contrast, Spring Boot adopts a convention-over-configuration approach, where sensible defaults are provided, and developers can modify the behavior by simply annotating classes or using configuration properties.

3. Component-based vs Dependency Injection: Apache Struts is primarily a component-based framework, where developers assemble their applications using pre-defined components, such as actions, form beans, and validators. Spring Boot, on the other hand, heavily promotes the use of Dependency Injection (DI) to manage and wire dependencies between components. This makes it more flexible and promotes loose coupling between different parts of the application.

4. Limited vs Extensive ecosystem: Apache Struts has been around for a longer time and has a mature ecosystem with a wide range of plugins and libraries available. It has a large and active community, making it easier to find support and resources. Spring Boot, being a more recent framework, also has a growing ecosystem with a focus on cloud-native development. It has extensive integration with popular tools and technologies, making it a preferred choice for developing modern applications.

5. XML vs Annotation-based configuration: As mentioned earlier, Apache Struts heavily relies on XML configuration files for defining the application's behavior. This can sometimes lead to verbose and complex configuration files. In contrast, Spring Boot promotes the use of annotations for configuring the application, making it more concise and easier to read and understand.

6. Tightly coupled vs Loosely coupled: Apache Struts, being a monolithic framework, can sometimes result in tightly coupled code, where different parts of the application are strongly dependent on each other. Spring Boot, with its emphasis on modular design and Dependency Injection, promotes loose coupling between components, making the codebase more maintainable and easier to test and refactor.

In Summary, Apache Struts is a mature framework that is well-suited for building MVC-based server-side applications with fine-grained configuration control. Spring Boot, on the other hand, is a lightweight and modular framework that focuses on microservices development, convention-over-configuration, and loose coupling through Dependency Injection.