Why are Java Spring and JAVA EE so complicated?

Java Spring and Java EE (now Jakarta EE) are comprehensive frameworks designed to address a wide range of enterprise-level challenges. The perceived complexity of these frameworks can arise from several factors: Enterprise-Level Features: Both Spring and Java EE are designed to provide a rich set of features for developing enterprise-scale applications. This includes support for transactions, security, messaging, and integration with databases. While these features are powerful, they can make the frameworks seem complex, especially for smaller projects that may not require all of these capabilities. Configuration Options: The flexibility of Spring and Java EE comes with a variety of configuration options. Developers can configure these frameworks using XML, annotations, or Java code, and this flexibility can lead to complexity, especially if there's a lack of standardized practices within a development team. Learning Curve: Enterprise frameworks like Spring and Java EE have a learning curve, especially for developers who are new to them. The frameworks provide extensive functionality, and understanding how to use these features effectively may take time. Abstraction Layers: Abstraction is a key concept in both Spring and Java EE. While abstraction provides a powerful way to decouple components and promote modularity, it can make it challenging for developers to understand the underlying mechanisms, especially if they are not familiar with the abstractions being used. Historical Reasons: Both Spring and Java EE have evolved over time, incorporating new features and addressing changing requirements. This evolution can result in frameworks with a diverse set of APIs and features, which may contribute to the perceived complexity. Modularity and Extensibility: Spring and Java EE are designed to be modular and extensible, allowing developers to choose and use only the components they need. However, this modularity can lead to complexity if developers are not familiar with the relationships between different modules and how to assemble them effectively. Size and Scope of Enterprise Projects: The complexity of Spring and Java EE is often commensurate with the complexity of the enterprise projects they are designed to support. Larger projects with complex business requirements may benefit from the extensive features provided by these frameworks, but this complexity may be unnecessary for smaller projects. Transitioning from Monolithic to Microservices: For organizations transitioning from monolithic architectures to microservices, adapting Spring and Java EE to a microservices environment may introduce additional complexities. Microservices often favor simpler, lightweight frameworks. It's worth noting that both Spring and Jakarta EE have made efforts to simplify their usage and reduce complexity. For example, Spring Boot, an extension of the Spring framework, focuses on convention over configuration, making it easier to get started with Spring-based projects. Additionally, Jakarta EE has embraced a more modular and cloud-native approach. Ultimately, the choice of using these frameworks depends on the specific requirements of a project. While they may seem complex initially, understanding their principles and best practices can lead to more effective and efficient development in the long run. read less