Best server-side framework for heavy AJAX Java application

Question

There are zillions of Java web application frameworks.

95% were designed before the modern era of AJAX/DHTML-based development, and that means these new methods are

Answer 1

I'd consider REST-style frameworks as well as the other recommendations here- Restlet or Jersey may be good choices for the backend, while you use something like JQuery or GWT on the front end. Both frameworks can easily produce JSON, and the REST style provides a nice clean line of demarcation between your client application and your server source; I find that JSF can make that demarcation pretty muddy.

Answer 2

I use JSF and IceFaces. Although JSF has a few limitations, IceFaces seems to work pretty well and has ironed out a few of the problems with JSF.

I haven't used a really good AJAX Java framework as yet, although Echo2 looks interesting.

Answer 3

I like the stripes framework. It lets you use whatever javascript toolkit you want.

Here is their documentation on AJAX

Answer 4

GWT is one of the best AJAX framework that I used ever. Most important thing about this framework is that its maintained by Google. And Everyone know "Who is Google ?"

GWT is used by many products at Google, including Google AdWords and Google
Wallet. It's open source, completely free, and used by thousands of 
enthusiastic developers around the world.

GWT provide rich widgets that can be used to built any application. Almost all the widgets they have.

Another important point is GWT is continuously developing and its also have stable release which is very good thing. Another thing Google has also released GWT-Material which is again a very good thing because everyone is moving toward material.

I hope this will help you!!!

Answer 5

DWR

I use this to dynamically populate drop downs, and even filter them on the fly based on user input in other places on the form.

Answer 6

GWT is quite powerful and easy to use (all Java, no Javascript/HTML/CSS coding). If Google has their way it will be a dominant framework/tool in web applications development, and for good reason. It already works with Google Gears (which allows offline access to web apps) - and more than likely will be optimized to work within Google Chrome.