I’m usually together with helpful libraries for daily stuff like logging libraries like Log4j, JSON parsing libraries like Jackson, and unit testing API like JUnit and Mockito. If it’s worthwhile to use them in your venture then you’ll be able to both embrace JARs of those libraries in your venture’s classpath to begin utilizing them or you should use Maven for dependency administration.
Whenever you use Maven for dependency administration, then it is going to routinely obtain these libraries, together with the libraries they rely upon, often called a transitive dependency.
For instance, for those who obtain Spring Framework then it is going to additionally obtain all different JARs on which Spring depends like Log4j and so forth.
You won’t notice however having the fitting model of dependent JARs is an enormous headache. If in case you have the incorrect variations of the JAR then you’ll get ClassNotFoundException or NoClassDefFoundError, or UnsupportedClassVersionError.
Btw, If you’re a newbie or intermediate Java programmer then I additionally recommend you be a part of The Full Java MasterClass course on Udemy to fill the gaps in your information. It is one of the up-to-date programs in Java and up to date for Java 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 not too long ago.
22 Open Supply libraries for Java Programmers in 2023
Right here is my assortment of a number of the helpful third-party libraries Java builders can use of their purposes to do quite a lot of helpful duties. As a way to use these libraries, Java builders must also be accustomed to that and that is the entire level of this text. If in case you have an thought then you’ll be able to analysis that library and use it.
1. Unit testing libraries [JUnit + Mockito]
Unit testing is the only most essential factor which separates a mean developer from a superb developer. Programmers usually are given excuses for not writing unit assessments however the most typical excuse for avoiding unit testing is a scarcity of expertise and information of standard unit testing libraries like JUnit, Mockito, and PowerMock.
I’ve a purpose in 2023 to enhance my information of unit testing and integration testing libraries like JUnit 5, Cucumber, Robotic framework, and so forth.
I’ve additionally signed up for a JUnit and Mockito Crash Course in Udemy. Even when you realize JUnit and the fundamentals of unit testing, chances are you’ll need to refresh and improve your information in 2023.
2. JSON parsing libraries [Jackson and Gson]
In immediately’s world of internet companies and the web of issues (IoT), JSON has grow to be the go-to protocol to hold info from consumer to server. They’ve changed XML as essentially the most most popular option to switch info in a platform-independent method.
Sadly, JDK would not have a JSON library but however fortuitously, there are various good third-party libraries that can help you each parse and create JSON messages like Jackson and Gson.
A Java internet developer must be accustomed to at the very least certainly one of these libraries. If you wish to know extra about Jackson and JSON, I recommend going by means of JSON with a Java API course from Udemy, which they’re providing for simply $10.99 on their Udemy Sale.
3. Logging libraries [SLF4J + Log4j2]
Logging libraries are quite common since you want them in each venture. They’re a very powerful factor for server-side purposes as a result of logs are solely positioned the place you’ll be able to see what is going on on in your utility.
Although JDK ships with its personal logging library, there are various higher alternate options can be found like Log4j, SLF4j, and LogBack.
A Java developer must be accustomed to the professionals and cons of logging the library and know why utilizing SLF4j is best than plain Log4j. If you do not know why I recommend you learn my earlier article on the identical topic.
4. Normal-purpose libraries [Apache Commons and Google’s Guava]
There’s a few excellent general-purpose, third-party library out there to Java developer e.g. Apache Commons and Google Guava. I all the time embrace these libraries in my tasks as a result of they simplify quite a lot of duties.
As Joshua Bloch has rightly stated in Efficient Java (now the third version can be out there) that there isn’t a level in re-inventing the wheels and we should always desire utilizing tried and examined libraries as an alternative of writing our personal routines once in a while.
5. Http libraries [Apache HttpClient]
One factor I do not like a lot about JDK is its lack of assist for HTTP. Although you can also make HTTP connections utilizing lessons within the java.web package deal it isn’t as simple and seamless as by utilizing open-source, third-party libraries like Apache HttpClient and HttpCore.
Although JDK 9 is bringing the assist of HTTP 2.0 and higher assist for HTTP, I strongly recommend all Java builders get accustomed to standard HTTP consumer libraries like HttpClient and HttpCore.
You too can examine What’s New in Java 9 – Modules and Extra to be taught extra about JDK 9’s HTTP 2 assist.
6. XML parsing libraries [JAXB and Xerces]
There are lots of XML parsing libraries that exist like Xerces, JAXB, JAXP, Dom4j, Xstream, and so forth. Xerces2 is the following technology of high-performance, totally compliant XML parsers within the Apache Xerces household. This new model of Xerces introduces the Xerces Native Interface (XNI), a whole framework for constructing parser parts and configurations that’s extraordinarily modular and straightforward to program.
The Apache Xerces2 parser is the reference implementation of XNI however different parser parts, configurations, and parsers may be written utilizing the Xerces Native Interface. Dom4j is one other versatile XML framework for Java purposes.
If you wish to be taught extra about XML parsing in Java then I recommend you check out this record of greatest Java Net Service programs to be taught extra.
7. Microsoft Excel studying libraries [Apache POI]
Consider it or not however all real-world utility has to work together with Microsoft workplace in some kind or different. Many utility wants to offer the performance to export information in Excel and if you need to do the identical out of your Java utility then you definitely want Apache POI API.
8. Bytecode libraries [JavaAssist + CgLib]
If you’re writing a framework or library which generate code or work together with bytecodes then you definitely want a bytecode library. They can help you learn and modify the bytecode generated by an utility. A few of the standard bytecode libraries within the Java world are javassist and Cglib Nodep.
9. Database connection pool libraries [C3P0 + DBCP]
If you’re interacting with the database from Java utility however not utilizing database connection pool libraries then you’re lacking one thing. Since creating connections at runtime takes time and makes request processing slower, it is all the time suggested to make use of DB connection libraries. A few of the standard ones are Commons Pool and DBCP.
10. Messaging libraries [RabbitMQ]
Just like logging and database connection, messaging can be a typical function of many real-world Java purposes. Java supplies JMS, Java Messaging Service however that is not a part of JDK and it’s worthwhile to embrace separate jms.jar. Equally, in case you are utilizing a third-party messaging protocol like Tibco RV then it’s worthwhile to use a third-party JAR like tibrv.jar in your utility classpath.
11. PDF Libraries [iText]
Just like Microsoft Excel and Phrase, PDF is one other ubiquitous format. If it’s worthwhile to assist PDF performance in your utility like exporting information in PDF recordsdata then you should use the iText and Apache FOP libraries. Each present helpful PDF associated performance however iText is richer and higher and I all the time most popular that one. See right here to be taught extra about iText.
12. Date and Time libraries
Earlier than Java 8, JDK’s information and time libraries have so many flaws like they weren’t thread-safe, immutable, and error-prone and lots of Java builders relied on JodaTime for implementing their date and time requirement.
From JDK 8, there isn’t a purpose to make use of Joda since you get all that performance within the JDK 8’s new Date and Time API itself however in case you are working in an older Java model then JodaTime is a value studying library.
If you wish to be taught extra in regards to the new Date and Time API, I recommend you please examine the What’s new in Java 8 course from Pluralsight. It supplies a pleasant overview of all of the essential options of Java 8, together with the Date and Time API.
By the best way, you would wish a Pluralsight membership to affix this course which prices round $29 per 30 days or $299 per yr (14% low cost). I extremely advocate this subscription to all programmers because it supplies immediate entry to greater than 7000+ on-line programs to be taught any tech ability. Alternatively, you too can use their 10-day-free-pass to observe this course for FREE.
13. Assortment libraries [Eclipse Collections, Troove]
Although JDK has wealthy assortment libraries, there are some third celebration libraries that present extra choices like Apache Commons Collections, Goldman Sachs collections, Google Collections, Eclipse Collections, and Trove. The Trove library is especially helpful as a result of it supplies high-speed common and primitive collections for Java.
14. E mail APIs
The javax.mail and Apache Commons E mail – present an API for sending an electronic mail. It’s constructed on prime of the JavaMail API, which it goals to simplify.
15. HTML Parsing libraries [JSOUP]
Just like JSON and XML, HMTL is one other widespread format many people must cope with. Fortunately, now we have jsoup which enormously simplifies working with HTML in Java purposes. You should utilize JSoup to not solely parse HTML but additionally to create HTML paperwork
It supplies a really handy API for extracting and manipulating information, utilizing the very best of DOM, CSS, and jquery-like strategies. jsoup implements the WHATWG HTML5 specification and parses HTML to the identical DOM as trendy browsers do.
16. Cryptographic library
The Apache Commons Codec package deal accommodates easy encoders and decoders for varied codecs reminiscent of Base64 and Hexadecimal. Along with these broadly used encoders and decoders, the codec package deal additionally maintains a group of phonetic encoding utilities.
17. Embedded SQL database library
I actually love the in-memory database like H2, which you’ll embed in your Java utility. They’re nice for testing your SQL scripts and operating Unit assessments that want a database. Btw, H2 shouldn’t be the one DB, you even have Apache Derby and HSQL to select from.
18. JDBC Troubleshooting libraries
There are some good JDBC Extension libraries that exist which makes debugging simpler like P6spy. It’s a library that permits database information to be seamlessly intercepted and logged with no code adjustments to the applying. You should utilize these to log SQL queries and their timings.
For instance, in case you are utilizing PreparedStatment and CallableStatement in your code then these libraries can log a precise name with parameters and the way a lot time it took to execute.
If you need, you too can take a look at these free JDBC programs to be taught extra in regards to the JDBC API and the right way to work with databases in Java.
19. Serialization libraries
Google Protocol Buffer or protobuf is a method of encoding structured information in an environment friendly but extensible format. It is a richer and higher various to Java serialization and I strongly advocate skilled Java builders to be taught Google Protobuf. You possibly can see these Google Protocol Buffer programs to be taught extra about Google Protocol Buffer and the gRPC framework.
20. Networking libraries [Apache MINA + Netty]
A few of the helpful networking libraries are Netty and Apache MINA. If you’re writing an utility the place it’s worthwhile to do low-level networking duties, think about using these libraries.
21. Lombok and Testcontainer
The 2 extra libraries which I like to recommend Java builders to be taught in 2023 are Lombok and take a look at containers, these two are actually superior and I’ve been utilizing them an increasing number of recently, significantly Lombok, which lets you write a lot cleaner Java code than earlier potential.
Similar with testcontains which lets you arrange your take a look at properly together with all of its dependency, I have not mastered it but however I’ve simply began exploring and I’m amazed on the energy it supplies. I’ll write extra about testcontainser and Lombok within the coming weeks.
That is all about a number of the helpful libraries each Java developer must be accustomed to. Java Ecosystem may be very huge and you will see tons of libraries for doing various things. You concentrate on one thing and you will see there’s a library that exists to do exactly that. As all the time, Google is your greatest buddy to seek out helpful Java libraries however you too can check out Maven central repository to seek out a number of the helpful libraries in your job at hand.
Should you like this text, chances are you’ll discover my different articles helpful too:
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P.S. – And, if you wish to take your Java programming abilities to subsequent degree and need to be taught Java in-depth then I recommend you take a look at this record of superior Java Programming programs, which comprise a listing of essentially the most superior programs. It is up to date to cowl options of current Java options.
