What are the features of Struts?
Apache Struts is a popular framework for building Java-based web applications. It follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern, which helps in separating the application logic from the user interface. Here are some key features of Struts:
MVC Architecture: Struts implements the MVC design pattern, which separates the application into three interconnected components: Model (business logic), View (user interface), and Controller (request handling).
Action Classes: Struts uses action classes to handle user requests. Each action class corresponds to a specific user action and contains the business logic to process that action.
Action Forms: Struts provides a mechanism to create form beans (ActionForms) that encapsulate the data submitted by the user. This helps in validating and processing user input.
Validation Framework: Struts includes a built-in validation framework that allows developers to define validation rules for form inputs, ensuring that user data is correct before processing.
Tag Libraries: Struts provides custom tag libraries (like Struts Tag Library) that simplify the creation of user interfaces in JSP pages. These tags help in rendering forms, displaying messages, and managing navigation.
Internationalization (i18n): Struts supports internationalization, allowing developers to create applications that can be easily localized for different languages and regions.
Integration with Other Technologies: Struts can be easily integrated with other Java technologies, such as Hibernate for ORM, Spring for dependency injection, and various view technologies like JSP, FreeMarker, and Velocity.
Configurable: Struts uses XML configuration files (like struts-config.xml) to define the application's components, such as action mappings, form beans, and global forwards, making it easy to configure and manage.
Exception Handling: Struts provides a mechanism for centralized exception handling, allowing developers to define how to handle errors and exceptions in a consistent manner.
Modular Architecture: Struts supports a modular architecture, enabling developers to create reusable components and maintain a clean separation of concerns.
Support for REST: With the introduction of Struts 2, the framework has added support for RESTful web services, allowing developers to build REST APIs easily.
Extensibility: Struts is highly extensible, allowing developers to create custom tags, interceptors, and plugins to enhance the framework's functionality.
Community and Documentation: Struts has a large community and extensive documentation, making it easier for developers to find resources, tutorials, and support.
These features make Struts a powerful framework for developing robust and maintainable web applications in Java. However, it's worth noting that newer frameworks like Spring MVC and JSF have gained popularity, and developers should consider their specific project requirements when choosing a framework.