7 Awesome Libraries For Java

Java, one of the most versatile and complex programming languages which has been used by millions of developers worldwide. That allowed them to build very strong and highly scalable products in a sort-of-kind-of-difficult manner. Where Java’s core features make it so powerful, its larger strength is the extensive libraries that help reduce development time, improve efficiency, and reduce boilerplate code. Discover 7 awesome libraries for Java that enhance your development experience, streamline coding, and boost productivity with powerful tools and features.

Java developers cannot work without having a Java toolset, and here is the list of 7 best Java libraries that every Java developer needs in their arsenal. They aid us in connecting databases, managing database connection processes, managing JSON data, improving application performance (to make functionality stable), as well as more dynamic programming. This setup altogether helps you to build better performing, available, and scalable Java applications. We can help you make Java applications more manageable and keep your code clutter-free, so it does when working on everything from web development to corporate projects.

Let’s dive into the top libraries that will make your Java development experience faster, cleaner, and more productive!

1. Apache Commons

Apache Commons is an extensive collection of reusable Java components provided by the Apache Software Foundation. It is helpful in terms of fast programming practices such as input/output operations, programming with collections and handling strings. Common Lang extends the best Java classes – String and Number with additional functionality, and Common IO reduces the burden of some common operations related to files like reading, writing, and copying files. Commons Collections fills the gaps for Java’s own collections framework by using more structures such as a BidiMap and a Bag. When working on more complex applications, it is normal to use statistical libraries and even computations of complex numbers via Commons Math. Usually, developers seek the help of Apache Commons, so as not to write the same codes again and again, and make the software better and more manageable.

2. Hibernate

Hibernate is an advanced software with ORM (object-relational mapping) functionality for computer database interaction in a more understandable mode for programming languages and high-level events. It relates Java objects to tables present in relational databases allowing manipulation of data through Java code instead of through SQL statements. The rich Query Language (HQL) is the most prominent feature of the product. It allows object-oriented query execution over the database entities. Hibernate routines also include a kind of deferred loading of related data to save resources and boost efficiency. This along with its caching mechanisms enhances further speed of processing by minimizing database queries. Hibernate is therefore invaluable in applications that need automatic schema generation and complexity of database access, to handle extensive data with minimal manual coding.

3. Spring Framework

The Spring Framework is an adaptable platform that is commonly used for developing large-scale Java-based applications. One of its fundamental functions is dependency injection, which makes component management easier by dynamically resolving dependencies between objects. In addition, Spring provides modules such as Spring MVC, which is great for web development and RESTful applications, and Spring Boot, which reduces configuration effort and is ideal for microservices architecture. Spring Data takes away the intricacies of accessing databases, allowing programmers to work with libraries rather than SQL queries. Spring Security is a further vital module for streamlining authentication and authorization operations. Therefore Spring with its wide ecosystem this tool has established itself as the fundamental platform for enterprise-level Java applications.

4. JUnit/Mockito

JUnit is the preferred framework for automated testing of Java software and applications. It makes it easier to write automated tests by allowing you to use annotations like @Test to mark instances of testing and @Before/@After to handle setup and takedown tasks. Assertion methods in JUnit, such as assertEquals() and assertTrue(), are used to verify expected test outcomes. Mockito, which complements JUnit, is an increasingly common instrument for building mock objects that allow developers to isolate system elements and simulate dependency behavior. Mockito also supports method stubbing and verification tools for its users, making it easy to test relationships among different components. When combined, JUnit and Mockito create a comprehensive testing environment that ensures superior and well-functioning programming in Java applications.

5. Jackson

Jackson is another one of the awesome Java libraries that processes JSON rapidly and efficiently. This makes it an ideal tool for dealing with RESTful APIs while programming in Java. The library’s ObjectMapper class facilitates the conversion of Java-based objects to JSON structures. This makes the serialization and deserialization process simpler compared to normal. Developers can customize the conversion process and control the final data format by using annotations like @JsonProperty and @JsonIgnore. Jackson also supports large data streams which becomes useful particularly for managing complex data types such as polymorphic objects and elaborately nested structures. It can be extended to support formats other than JSON, like XML and YAML. Thus, Jackson’s flexibility, speed, and ease of use make it a popular choice for modern data-hungry Java applications. 

6. Gson

Gson is a popular library created by Google which is used for transforming objects from Java to JSON and vice versa. This library is renowned for being lightweight and simple to use. Gson is an excellent tool for developers who need to process JSON quickly and efficiently without other complexities. Gson also supports customization via custom serializers and deserializes which provide developers the much-needed flexibility to handle complicated or nested objects. It also supports generic types, allowing lists, maps, and other datasets to be serialized easily. One of Gson’s most notable features is its configurable null handling, which allows programmers to choose whether empty strings should be included or excluded from the JSON output. Gson is highly popular in applications for Android and other high-performance contexts due to its ease of use and effectiveness.

7. Log4j/SLF4J

Logging is a critical process within the software development process. In this regards Log4j and SLF4J have become one of the two most popular Java logging libraries. Log4j allows developers to log messages at various levels (e.g., INFO, DEBUG, ERROR). It can also send these logs to multiple destinations such as files, terminals, or consoles. Similarly, SLF4J serves as a facade for a variety of logging frameworks, including Log4j. SLF4J provides a layer of encapsulation that enables developers to move among logging subsystems without affecting the source code and coding flow. It is also known to increase the performance of developers by deferring the generation of log messages until they are essentially required. Overall logging frameworks enhance development speed and code reliability by facilitating and improving debugging and application monitoring in later stages.

Learn To Utilize These Libraries Most Efficiently: 

Want to improve your Java skills and learn to utilize Java libraries efficiently for development? Your first choice for any Java training should be SevenMentor Institute. In-depth exploration of the frameworks and technologies is covered by our expert trainers and their training goes beyond the fundamentals. Whether you’re a novice or just brushing up your Java coding skills, our knowledgeable instructors will walk you through every practical use of the above-mentioned libraries. So come and join us at the closest SevenMentor Java Training Classes near you and be prepared to uplift your career and develop awesome Java apps within a month.