Java Frameworks... any suggestions?

I'm wondering.. whats the best java framework to use for beginners? any suggestions on what to use between struts, freemarker and all others out there? whats the pros and cons and the benefits of using one over the other. Thanks!

a friend of mine used turbine before but i have no idea what frameworks are these.

all i know about struts is that it is the equivalent framework for asp.net.  please clarify for those who have a background in both languages.

asp.net is not MVC; struts is.

among java devs, many of them like webwork2. have you tried this keith?

trails is supposed to bring RubyOnRails-like ease-of-development into java, though i haven't seen it yet.

I'm thinking of experimenting with java by doing some comparisson on the existing frameworks available. I havent tried webwork2.. i'm currently playing with struts right now and i might look at freemarker in the next couple of days.

i think there are a few java web frameworks that have already exceeded struts in terms of usability and "MVC correctness" spring i believe has its own MVC framework.

Any comments about JSF? It's supposed to be the Java answer to ASP.NET.

and i'm pretty sure it's also subject to the same flaws/quirks in asp.net

But it's MVC, right? Not Front Controller like ASP.NET. Which has its implications when it comes to postback, etc.

I dunno if I clearly understand the Front controller... But I think extending the Action class already gives you the Front controller. Struts imposes the use of MVC to the user. Plus, Struts comes with more commonly used libs such as Apache commons FileUpload which is very useful, I think. I only have about 6 months experience developing in Java but I find Struts(my personal choice of framework) very easy to use once you get used to it and it really helps you in terms of descipline... I'm looking forward in trying out JSF, until I get the time to do so...

I think you could also consider using Spring MVC framework. If your gonna used Spring MVC framework you'll get the chance to use Spring's Application framework which compatible to any MVC framework (like struts) and Hibernate. I had to admit that haven't use Spring MVC though (only used Spring App Framework) but I got feedback from my former officemates that it close to struts (I had seen some configurations from their website and indeed it is close to struts).

Gusto ko nga din sana subukan yan eh. Kaso wala pa ako time mag-aral ng bagong framework ngayon. I'm more inclined sa Struts, and I don't plan on giving it up soon. Kung may gust akong aralin, yun eh JSF and Hibernate/Ibatis or kahit na ano pang ORM pero mas gusto ko muna yung alin man sa dalawang yun.

Hi! We are also looking at the available frameworks.  And I must say the looking at the Spring Framework is really worth it.  Especially if you use it's inverse of control and aspects oriented programming. :)  Also, I suggest you look at frameworks that have very easy test driven development tools.:)

Well... Since I'm the only one in the company right now, I think I'd stick to Struts and just learn other technologies first like Hibernate(ORM) and Webservices. It'll be a pain to study another framework without being involved in some sort of project... I don't have that project right now...

usually i play with frameworks when i have time so that i could have an idea on whats good and whats not.. and most of the time this strategy pays off really well since understanding them gives me better insight on what to use on specific scenarios or whats easier to use or whats faster and well built...

After an interview with a company, I quickly realized that I need to learn Spring sooner or later...