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Websphere vs Websphere Liberty: What are the differences?
WebSphere and WebSphere Liberty are Java application server offerings from IBM. They are designed to host Java applications. Let's explore the key differences between WebSphere and WebSphere Liberty:
Architecture: WebSphere is a traditional Java EE application server with a monolithic architecture, while WebSphere Liberty follows a microservices-like architecture and offers a lightweight and modular approach.
Footprint and Performance: Due to its monolithic architecture and comprehensive feature set, WebSphere has a larger footprint compared to WebSphere Liberty. WebSphere Liberty, being modular, allows for a smaller and more lightweight installation. This reduced footprint contributes to faster startup times and better overall performance, making it suitable for microservices-oriented deployments and scenarios where resource efficiency is critical.
Development Approach: WebSphere requires more configuration and has a formal deployment process, whereas WebSphere Liberty embraces agile development practices, supports containerization, and offers a simpler and more intuitive configuration model.
Feature Set: WebSphere offers a comprehensive set of enterprise-level features and supports the full Java EE specification, while WebSphere Liberty provides a broad range of core Java EE and MicroProfile specifications for building lightweight and cloud-native applications.
Licensing: WebSphere requires a paid license, whereas WebSphere Liberty offers a flexible licensing model with a core set of free features and options to add additional features or purchase commercial licenses.
Target Use Cases: WebSphere is suitable for large-scale enterprise applications with complex requirements, high availability, scalability, and advanced security needs. WebSphere Liberty is preferred for cloud-native and microservices-oriented deployments, agile development practices, and scenarios where rapid deployment and resource efficiency are important.
In summary, WebSphere provides a comprehensive set of enterprise features, while WebSphere Liberty offers a lightweight and modular approach that is better suited for modern cloud-native and microservices architectures.
