Understanding Struts: A Java Web Application Framework

What is Struts?

Struts is an open-source web application framework for developing Java EE web applications. It was originally created by Craig McClanahan and is now maintained by the Apache Software Foundation. Struts is designed to facilitate the development of Java-based web applications by providing a structured framework that promotes the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern.

Key Features of Struts:

1. MVC Architecture: Struts separates the application into three interconnected components:

   • Model: Represents the application's data and business logic.
   • View: Represents the user interface, typically using JSP (JavaServer Pages).
   • Controller: Manages the flow of the application, handling user input and updating the model and view accordingly.

2. Action Classes: Struts uses action classes to handle user requests. Each action class corresponds to a specific user action and contains the logic to process that action.

3. Configuration Files: Struts applications are configured using XML files, such as struts-config.xml, which define the mapping between URLs, action classes, and views.

4. Tag Libraries: Struts provides custom tag libraries that simplify the creation of user interfaces in JSP pages, allowing developers to create forms, display data, and manage navigation easily.

5. Validation Framework: Struts includes a built-in validation framework that allows developers to define validation rules for user input, helping to ensure data integrity.

6. Internationalization (i18n): Struts supports internationalization, making it easier to develop applications that can be localized for different languages and regions.

Versions:

Struts has evolved over the years, with Struts 1 being the original version and Struts 2 being a complete rewrite that incorporates many modern features and improvements, including support for annotations and a more flexible architecture.

Use Cases:

Struts is commonly used in enterprise-level applications where a robust, maintainable, and scalable framework is required. However, with the rise of newer frameworks like Spring MVC and JavaServer Faces (JSF), the use of Struts has declined in recent years.

Conclusion:

Struts remains a significant framework in the Java ecosystem, particularly for legacy applications. Developers working with Struts should be aware of its strengths and limitations, as well as the newer alternatives available for web application development in Java.