Java EE

Java EE is a combination of several recognized standards for developing portable, robust, scalable, and secure (multilayer) client/server architectures.

This enables the developer to access stable functions such as component-based development, web services, Enterprise Java Beans, Java Servlets, JSP, XML and other APIs.

Particularly in large-scale projects, it is important to ensure that standards are observed and that expansion capabilities are leveraged to the full. This is made possible by deploying established frameworks such as:

  • Cocoon (web)
  • Struts (web, MVC)
  • Java Server Faces (web)
  • Axis (web services)

and by using established enterprise application servers (EA servers) such as:

  • IBM WebSphere
  • BEA WebLogic
  • JBoss
  • SUN Java EE Application Server

With these components, we can create robust, more flexible applications, reduce development times, and boost productivity both when the applications are being developed and deployed.

Java EE (Java Platform, Enterprise Edition) is a standard (platform) for developing distributed systems within a company. All applications that are distributed over several architecture layers are called multitier applications. The Java EE platform provides a component architecture in which the developer can focus on the business logic.

Infographic: Layer Model

As a component-based platform, Java EE aims to shield the developer from recurring problems that are not directly related to the business logic. Java EE is, therefore, a standard for so-called application servers (e.g. Bea WebLogic, IBM WebSphere, JBoss, etc.). These application servers provide various services for the components, which would otherwise be the responsibility of the developer. These include transaction management, messaging, remoting through to integrating non-Java EE components.

Java EE, therefore, "outsources" many of the framework problems to the application server allowing the developer to devote his entire attention to designing the business logic.

O/R mapping

Object-relational mappers such as

  • Hibernate or
  • TopLink

enable developers to work, for the most part, independently of the database management systems used.