January 25, 2025

Jakarta EE: Unlocking Enterprise Power with Java SE as Its Foundation

 

Jakarta EE, formerly known as Java EE, is the gold standard for enterprise-grade application development. Built on the robust foundation of Java SE, Jakarta EE extends its capabilities to address the demands of enterprise systems—scalability, security, and support for modern web technologies.

In this blog, we’ll explore why Jakarta EE came into existence, its features, how it links with Spring Boot, a practical standalone example, and how to stay updated with its ecosystem.

Why Was Jakarta EE Introduced?

The transition from Java EE to Jakarta EE wasn’t just a rebranding effort; it was a strategic move to ensure the evolution of enterprise Java. Here’s why Jakarta EE came into existence:

  1. The End of Oracle's Stewardship:
    Oracle decided to transfer Java EE to the Eclipse Foundation, enabling open collaboration and innovation without corporate restrictions.

  2. Legal Restrictions on javax.*:
    Oracle retained rights to the javax.* namespace, necessitating the shift to the jakarta.* namespace.

  3. Cloud-Native and Modernization Needs:
    The rise of microservices, cloud-native architectures, and lightweight runtimes drove the need for a more modern enterprise framework.

  4. Faster Release Cycles:
    Jakarta EE adopted a more agile and community-driven development process, enabling quicker updates compared to Java EE.

  5. Community Ownership:
    Moving to the Eclipse Foundation empowered a vibrant community of developers and organizations like Red Hat, IBM, and Payara to contribute to its growth.

Key Features Introduced by Jakarta EE

Jakarta EE is packed with features tailored for modern enterprise application development:

  • Cloud-Native Ready: Optimized for containerized and serverless deployments.
  • Microservices-Friendly: Seamless integration with Jakarta MicroProfile.
  • Enhanced APIs: Advanced versions of existing APIs, such as Jakarta RESTful Web Services and Jakarta Persistence.
  • Backward Compatibility: Easy migration for Java EE projects.
  • Lightweight Runtimes: Reduced overhead for modern architectures.

Why Should You Use Jakarta EE?

1. Enterprise-Ready Features

Full-stack enterprise-grade specifications like JPA, JMS, CDI, and JTA ensure scalability, security, and robustness.

2. Vendor Neutrality

Jakarta EE runs on any compatible implementation (e.g., Payara, WildFly, Open Liberty), avoiding vendor lock-in.

3. Cloud and Microservices Support

Features like REST APIs, lightweight deployments, and support for Kubernetes and Docker make it ideal for cloud-native applications.

4. Open-Source and Community-Driven

Jakarta EE thrives on contributions from a global community, ensuring constant innovation.

5. Integration with Modern Tools

Jakarta EE integrates with Spring Boot, enabling developers to combine its enterprise power with Spring's lightweight development.

6. Future-Proof

Continuous updates and alignment with modern trends make Jakarta EE a long-term choice for enterprise applications.

Standalone Example: Building a REST API with Jakarta EE

Let’s demonstrate Jakarta EE’s simplicity by building a basic REST API.

Dependencies:

xml
<dependency>
    <groupId>jakarta.platform</groupId>
    <artifactId>jakarta.jakartaee-api</artifactId>
    <version>10.0.0</version>
    <scope>provided</scope>
</dependency>
<dependency>
    <groupId>org.h2database</groupId>
    <artifactId>h2</artifactId>
    <version>2.2.220</version>
</dependency>

Entity Class:

java
import jakarta.persistence.Entity;
import jakarta.persistence.Id;

@Entity
public class Product {
    @Id
    private Long id;
    private String name;
    private Double price;

    // Getters and setters...
}

REST Resource:

java
import jakarta.ws.rs.*;
import jakarta.ws.rs.core.MediaType;
import jakarta.persistence.EntityManager;
import jakarta.persistence.Persistence;
import java.util.List;

@Path("/products")
@Produces(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON)
@Consumes(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON)
public class ProductResource {
    private EntityManager em = Persistence.createEntityManagerFactory("default").createEntityManager();

    @GET
    public List<Product> getProducts() {
        return em.createQuery("SELECT p FROM Product p", Product.class).getResultList();
    }

    @POST
    public String addProduct(Product product) {
        em.getTransaction().begin();
        em.persist(product);
        em.getTransaction().commit();
        return "Product added!";
    }
}

Where to Learn More About Jakarta EE

  1. Official Website
    Visit the official Jakarta EE website: https://jakarta.ee/
    It offers documentation, guides, and an overview of features.

  2. Eclipse Foundation Blog
    Follow the Eclipse Foundation’s blog for insights and announcements: Eclipse Blog.

  3. Jakarta EE on GitHub
    Explore Jakarta EE’s open-source repositories: GitHub Repositories.

  4. Books and Courses

    • Jakarta EE Cookbook by Elder Moraes
    • Practical Enterprise Application Development with Jakarta EE by Otavio Santana
    • Online courses on Udemy, Pluralsight, and Coursera.

  5. YouTube Channels
    Look for channels like Jakarta EE Tutorials and Eclipse Foundation for video tutorials.

How to Track Changes and Upcoming Releases

  1. Release Notes:
    Each release has detailed notes on updates, fixes, and new features. Access them on Jakarta EE Downloads.

  2. Jakarta EE Specifications:
    Stay updated with the latest specifications and RFCs: Jakarta Specifications.

  3. Join the Community:

  4. Follow Jakarta EE Working Group:
    Get updates directly from the Jakarta EE working group at Eclipse Jakarta EE Working Group.

  5. Social Media:
    Follow Jakarta EE on Twitter and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

Conclusion

Jakarta EE ensures the continuity and modernization of enterprise Java by embracing open standards, cloud-native architectures, and faster innovation cycles. Its seamless integration with Java SE and frameworks like Spring Boot, combined with robust features, make it the ideal choice for building enterprise-grade applications.

By following its evolving ecosystem and mastering its core topics, you’ll stay ahead of the curve in enterprise development. Begin your journey with Jakarta EE today to unlock the full potential of modern enterprise Java!

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