Software Alternatives & Startups

Apache Struts VS GraphQL

Compare Apache Struts VS GraphQL and see what are their differences

Apache Struts

Apache Struts is an open-source web application framework for developing Java EE web applications.

Rating
0 reviews
GraphQL

GraphQL is a data query language and runtime to request and deliver data to mobile and web apps.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, GraphQL seems to be a lot more popular than Apache Struts. While we know about 258 links to GraphQL, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Apache Struts.

social mentions
2 vs 258
Developer Tools popularity
23% vs 77%
alternatives listed
113 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Apache Struts
GraphQL
Website struts.apache.org graphql.org
Pricing —
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Apache Struts 5 features
GraphQL 7 features
  • Robust Framework
    Apache Struts is a mature and well-established framework for Java web applications, providing stable and reliable tools for enterprise-level applications.
  • MVC Architecture
    Struts adheres to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) design pattern, which separates business logic, presentation, and navigation, making code maintenance and development easier.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Struts has comprehensive documentation and a wealth of online resources, including tutorials, community forums, and user guides, which can support developers throughout their projects.
  • Rich Tag Library
    It comes with a rich set of custom tags that enhance the JSP (JavaServer Pages) to create dynamic web content easily.
  • Plugin Support
    Apache Struts supports various plugins that can extend its functionality, allowing developers to integrate additional features without much effort.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New developers might find Struts challenging to learn due to its complexity and the need for a good understanding of the MVC architecture and Java web application development.
  • Configuration Overhead
    The framework requires extensive XML configuration, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming compared to convention-over-configuration frameworks.
  • Performance
    Struts can be slower than some newer, lighter frameworks due to its broader feature set and the overhead associated with its extensive configuration.
  • Security Vulnerabilities
    Struts has had notable security vulnerabilities in the past. Although patches and updates are available, it necessitates proactive monitoring and maintenance.
  • Outdated Compared to Modern Frameworks
    With the advent of modern frameworks like Spring MVC and JavaServer Faces, some developers consider Struts to be less up-to-date with the latest web development standards and practices.
  • Efficient Data Retrieval
    GraphQL allows clients to request only the data they need, reducing the amount of data transferred over the network and improving performance.
  • Strongly Typed Schema
    GraphQL uses a strongly typed schema to define the capabilities of an API, providing clear and explicit API contracts and enabling better tooling support.
  • Single Endpoint
    GraphQL operates through a single endpoint, unlike REST APIs which require multiple endpoints. This simplifies the server architecture and makes it easier to manage.
  • Introspection
    GraphQL allows clients to query the schema for details about the available types and operations, which facilitates the development of powerful developer tools and IDE integrations.
  • Declarative Data Fetching
    Clients can specify the shape of the response data declaratively, which enhances flexibility and ensures that the client and server logic are decoupled.
  • Versionless
    Because clients specify exactly what data they need, there is no need to create different versions of an API when making changes. This helps in maintaining backward compatibility.
  • Increased Responsiveness
    GraphQL can batch multiple requests into a single query, reducing the latency and improving the responsiveness of applications.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity
    The setup and maintenance of a GraphQL server can be complex. Developers need to define the schema precisely and handle resolvers, which can be more complicated than designing REST endpoints.
  • Over-fetching Risk
    Though designed to mitigate over-fetching, poorly designed GraphQL queries can lead to the server needing to fetch more data than necessary, causing performance issues.
  • Caching Challenges
    Caching in GraphQL is more challenging than in REST, since different queries can change the shape and size of the response data, making traditional caching mechanisms less effective.
  • Learning Curve
    GraphQL has a steeper learning curve compared to RESTful APIs because it introduces new concepts such as schemas, types, and resolvers which developers need to understand thoroughly.
  • Complex Rate Limiting
    Implementing rate limiting is more complex with GraphQL than with REST. Since a single query can potentially request a large amount of data, simple per-endpoint rate limiting strategies are not effective.
  • Security Risks
    GraphQL's flexibility can introduce security risks. For example, improperly managed schemas could expose sensitive information, and complex queries can lead to denial-of-service attacks.
  • Overhead on Small Applications
    For smaller applications with simpler use cases, the overhead introduced by setting up and maintaining a GraphQL server may not be justified compared to a straightforward REST API.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Apache Struts
GraphQL

Overall verdict

  • Apache Struts is a robust framework, suitable for building Java-based web applications, but it's crucial to stay vigilant regarding security updates.

Why this product is good

  • Apache Struts is known for its MVC framework, which is useful for creating well-structured and maintainable Java applications. It provides a range of comprehensive features like a flexible tag library, integration with other Java frameworks, and a strong support community. However, it has faced some high-profile security vulnerabilities in the past, underscoring the importance of keeping the framework timely updated.

Recommended for

  • Organizations developing enterprise-level Java applications
  • Developers familiar with Java and looking for a robust MVC framework
  • Teams interested in integrating their web applications with other Java technologies

No analysis of GraphQL yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Apache Struts 3 videos + Add
GraphQL 3 videos + Add

Finding and Fixing Apache Struts CVE-2017-5638 with Black Duck Hub

More videos

  • - Apache Struts 2 - remote command execution
  • - Dark ambient drone music | Vulnerable Apache Struts installation under attack (Java, Jakarta)

REST vs. GraphQL: Critical Look

More videos

  • - REST vs GraphQL - What's the best kind of API?
  • - What Is GraphQL?

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Apache Struts
GraphQL
23% 23%
77% 77%
45% 45%
55% 55%
9% 9%
91% 91%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Apache Struts no reviews yet
GraphQL no reviews yet

We have no reviews of GraphQL yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Apache Struts 2 mentions
GraphQL 258 mentions
  • API Development: How to Transition to Modern APIs
    GraphQL is a query language combined with a server-side runtime. It was created by Facebook in 2012, and soon after, they released the specification to the public and made a NodeJS implementation open source. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
  • Readings in Database Systems (5th Edition)
    Definitely they should include D4M and GraphQL [1],[2]. Not only D4M can cater for structured relational data, it also suitable for sparse data in spreadsheet, matrices and graph. It's essentially a generalization of SQL but for all... - Source: Hacker News / 10 months ago
  • Why GraphQL Is Gaining Adoption
    GraphQL is becoming a popular choice, making development easier. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago

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Alternatives to Apache Struts and GraphQL

When comparing Apache Struts and GraphQL, you can also consider the following products.