Professional Java Development with the Spring Framework
Chapter One
Introducing
the Spring Framework
Why Spring?
The Spring Framework is an open source application framework that aims to make J2EE development
easier. In this chapter we'll look at the motivation for Spring, its goals, and how Spring can
help you develop high-quality applications quickly.
Problems with the Traditional Approach to J2EE
Since the widespread implementation of J2EE applications in 1999/2000, J2EE has not been an
unqualified success in practice. While it has brought a welcome standardization to core middletier
concepts such as transaction management, many-perhaps most-J2EE applications are overcomplex,
take excessive effort to develop, and exhibit disappointing performance. While Spring is
applicable in a wide range of environments-not just server-side J2EE applications-the original
motivation for Spring was the J2EE environment, and Spring offers many valuable services for use
in J2EE applications.
Experience has highlighted specific causes of complexity and other problems in J2EE applications.
(Of course, not ... read full excerpt from Professional Java Development with the Spring Framework ebook