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Java EE Fundamentals – Microservices

This is the fifth post in the Java EE Fundamentals series

Java EE Fundamentals – What is Java EE?
Java EE Fundamentals – What is a Java Specification Request (JSR)?
Java EE Fundamentals – What is a Reference Implementation?
Java EE Fundamentals – What is an Application Server?

Microservices is the latest software architecture that seems to be the buzzword of the day. It has been around in one form or the other since the early days of software engineering.

Essentially microservices means breaking down applications into distinct components that all coordinate to form a whole. Now there are arguments against Java EE given it’s application server centric nature. There are those that think Java EE is heavy and geared towards the monolith style of application development. Continue reading “Java EE Fundamentals – Microservices” »

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Java EE Fundamentals – What is an Application Server?

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This is the fourth in the Java EE Fundamentals series
Java EE Fundamentals – What is Java EE?
Java EE Fundamentals – What is a Java Specification Request (JSR)?
Java EE Fundamentals – What is a JSR Reference Implementation?

In the previous post, we talked about what a JSR reference implementation is. Also in our definition of Java EE, we did mention that it is a collection of abstract specifications. Now Java EE itself, is a Java Specification Request.

Better still, Java EE is what is termed an umbrella JSR in that it encapsulates a number of JSRs. So Java EE 7 for instance, is JSR 342. Continue reading “Java EE Fundamentals – What is an Application Server?” »

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Java EE Fundamentals – What is a JSR Reference Implementation?

This post is the third installment in the Java EE Fundamentals series

Java EE Fundamentals – What is Java EE?
Java EE Fundamentals – What is a Java Specification Request (JSR)?

In the previous post, we looked at what a JSR is. We did say that a JSR is an abstract request to the JCP that contains proposed additions to the Java technology platform.

Because it is abstract, it cannot on its own be used in any way. A JSR needs to have some form of implementation, or concrete realization to be useful to us end developers. And that is where the concept of Reference Implementation comes in. Continue reading “Java EE Fundamentals – What is a JSR Reference Implementation?” »

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Java EE Fundamentals – What is a Java Specification Request (JSR)?

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This is the second post in the Java EE Fundamentals series

1. Java EE Fundamentals – What is Java EE
2. Java EE Fundamentals – What is a JSR Reference Implementation?

In the previous post, we looked at Java EE and what it means. We did mention that Java EE is made up of various components grouped into APIs under a program called the Java Specification Request (JSR).

In this post, we are going to take a deeper look at what a JSR is. At its core, a Java Specification Request is a formal, open standard document proposal that is made by an individual or organization to the Java Community Process, that contains proposed changes, additions and improvements to the Java technology platform.

A number of very important points could be gleaned from the above definition. Continue reading “Java EE Fundamentals – What is a Java Specification Request (JSR)?” »

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Java EE Fundamentals – What is Java EE?

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What is Java EE? Like really what is?

Java EE, formerly known as J2EE, at its core, is just a collection of abstract, standardized specifications that prescribes solutions to commonly faced challenges in software development.

It’s important to note the words abstract in the above definition. This means that Java EE is just a set interfaces and contracts that provides a public facing API for developers. Continue reading “Java EE Fundamentals – What is Java EE?” »

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Java EE – Pick and Choose (Tank or Pistol)

Java EE is a powerful, modern, and nimble platform. However, to some people, there is absolutely no reason to check out Java EE in a world where JavaScript is omnipresent. But as an enterprise developer, you might want to think about how ‘modular’ Java EE is.

With Java EE, you can choose to build a tank, or mold just a pistol; it’s your choice. Essentially, you are always in charge. Continue reading “Java EE – Pick and Choose (Tank or Pistol)” »

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New Java EE Course – The Theory of Java EE

I am pleased to announce the availability of our first course on Java EE, The Theory of Java EE. The Theory of Java EE is a course that is designed to give its audience a firm understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of Java EE.

A lot of Java EE courses are code focused and dive right in to the meat of Java EE. But having taken a number of CS students through Java EE, I came to realize a firm understanding in the theory was equally important in their understanding of Java EE. The course is a collection of lesson notes for my CS students that has been expanded to suit a much wider audience. Continue reading “New Java EE Course – The Theory of Java EE” »

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Taking BootFaces for a spin

I love Java EE. It’s my platform of choice for enterprise applications development.  However, I have had a love hate relationship with its standard UI framework JSF, preferring to use Vaadin instead.

However, I have decided to take BootsFaces for a ride in my next project because I am beginning to feel Vaadin is bit too stiff for me when it comes to building responsive, mobile first applications. The BootsFaces project describes itself as “a powerful and lightweight JSF framework based on Bootstrap 3 and jQuery UI that lets you develop Front-end Enterprise Applications fast and easy.”

I must admit that sounds intriguing right? Continue reading “Taking BootFaces for a spin” »

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Java UI framework Vaadin releases version 8

After a long period of development, Vaadin Ltd has released version 8 of the Vaadin Java UI framework with a slew of new features.  The most notable changes can be found in the data binding API of the framework.

Based on Java 8, the latest Vaadin 8 release takes advantage of lambda expressions introduced in Java 8 to make data binding much much expressive and easy.

For instance, in the past, one needed a Container interface implementation to pass objects to the Grid component thus

List persons = Backend.getPersons();
BeanItemContainer container =
new BeanItemContainer(Person.class, persons);
Grid grid = new Grid();
grid.setContainerDataSource(container);

now becomes

List persons = Backend.getPersons();
Grid grid = new Grid<>(Person.class);
grid.setItems(persons);

I am personally very excited about this release because hitherto one had to rely on Matti Tahvonen’s Viritin addon to overcome the very verbose databinding Vaadin APIs.

Another awesome feature is that Vaadin 8 will now support the browser history API, meaning much more cleaner and search engine friendly URLs. Continue reading “Java UI framework Vaadin releases version 8” »