The Apache Struts group has announced that Struts 2.0.11 is a "General Availability" release, which is the highest quality grade of Apache Softwre Foundation (ASF) open source software (OSS) release. But don’t make the mistake I made and think that 2.0.11 is a next-generation replacement for various Struts 1.x.x releases. They are separate animals, like donkeys are parents of but different than mules (not sure the Struts group will like that analogy, nor will Mulesource). Both are popular Java web frameworks along with MyFaces, Tapestry and Wicket.
Struts 1.x.x is a control layer based on standard technologies like Java Servlets, JavaBeans, and other technology. It helps users create an extensible development environment based on published standards and the proven Model/View design pattern. Struts 2.x.x is more comprehensive and designed to streamline the full development cycle, from building, to deploying, to maintaining applications over time. Apache Struts 2 was originally known as WebWork 2. After working independently for several years, the WebWork and Struts communities joined forces to create Struts2. WebWork continues to deliver patch releases. There is also still a robust and vibrant community of developers using Struts 1 in production, according to its site, and it expects that thousands of teams will continue to base new projects on Struts 1, and continue to support existing projects, for "many, many years to come."
Of course, if you are starting a new project, and have your choice of frameworks, this might be a good time to consider whether you would like to continue to use Struts 1 or whether it's time to try Struts 2. The Struts group says there are "five reasons to migrate:
• "Your Struts 1 application is ready for its own version 2.
• "Your Struts 1 application is still under development or in the planning stages.
• "You inherited a Struts 1 application that needs work, and you don't understand how it works.
• "You would like to integrate a few Java Server Faces (JSF) components into your application.
• "The charming quirks of Struts 1 have become downright annoyances, and your team is ready for an elegant yet familiar solution. "
But the community also suggests five reasons not to migrate so check out the Struts home page.
At least the term Struts is now only the umbrella for two frameworks. According to one of the founders of the community, it also used to include Apache Shale, a web framework based off JSF. Although the Apache Struts project has two major versions, both are action (as opposed to component) based. Just remember, JSF is a "component" framework. If you are more into JSF, Struts 2 supports JSF components.
The 2.0.x series of the Apache Struts framework has a minimum requirement of the following specification versions: Servlet API 2.4, JSP API 2.0, Java 5, Backported Java 4 JARs are also available.
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