Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
GWT
3.
JSF
4.
Difference between GWT and JSF
5.
Frequently asked questions
5.1.
What is fullform of GWT and JSF?
5.2.
What is GWT is a module descriptor?
5.3.
What is the name of any GWT widget's default style?
5.4.
Give the system specifications needed to use JSF.
5.5.
How does the JSF (JavaServer Faces) life cycle's render phase operate?
6.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024

GWT vs JSF

Author dhananjay
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Introduction

In this blog, we are going to learn the main differences between GWT and JSF as we know both are used to make web-based applications. But there are some differences that we will highlight in this blog but first let’s have a brief introduction about both.

GWT

GWT Logo

A development toolkit called GWT enables programmers to create internet or web applications. For typical web-app chores like bookmarking, UI abstraction, cross-browser compatibility, etc., GWT insists on reusable techniques. It offers characteristics like:

  • Because GWT solves browser incompatibilities through various bindings, developers do not need to be experts in this area.
     
  • The client and server code bases for GWT are the same.
     
  • Java was the platform of choice for GWT because it offers features like code navigation and refactoring that make development more efficient.
     
  • GWT MVP (Model View Presenter) enables collaborative working and more rapid JUnit testing. By adding events to the event bus, the client-side program can make several modifications.
     
  • It enables the integration of numerous Java technologies, including hibernate via gilead.

 

Reasons to use GWT

  • The gain in performance: With each new edition of the GWT framework, developers would have free access to all new capabilities. The accessibility functionality in GWT 1.5 was added to older files simply by recompiling them. 
     
  • Debugging: We can debug GWT apps using the IDE's Debugger, exactly like we can with Java applications.
     
  • Out Of Process Hosted Mode (OOPHM) enables developers to use hosted mode across a variety of browsers. By running Windows in a virtual machine, connecting to Internet Explorer, and then operating in hosted mode, it enables developers to maximise GWT's capability.
     
  • Using XML, HTML, and Java, UIBinder enables simple and less difficult design and customization of widgets.
     
  • GWT approaches software architecture with a strong object-oriented perspective.

JSF

JSF Logo

It is a user interface framework that is based on server-side components. The creation of web applications uses it. It has robust API and tag libraries and offers a clearly defined programming model. The most recent version of JSF 2, JSF 2, makes Facelets the default templating engine. Java was used to write it.

The JSF API offers elements (such as inputText, commandButtons, and others) and assists in managing their states. Additionally, it offers data conversion, server-side validation, page navigation definition, extension, support for internationalization, accessibility, etc.

 

Reasons to use JSF

  • It offers a neat and distinct division between a web application's behaviour and display. Business logic and user interface can be written independently.
     
  •  The Servlet API is followed by the JavaServer Faces API. It makes it possible to create custom components straight from component classes and use a variety of display methods in applications.
     
  • The addition of Facelets technology to JavaServer Faces 2.0 gives it several benefits. Today, Facelets are the presentation technique of choice for creating online applications based on JavaServer Faces.

Difference between GWT and JSF

gwt vs jsf

GWT JSF
A toolset for creating web applications is called GWT. A Java specification called JSF (Java Server Faces) is used to create component-based user interfaces for online applications.
Using XML, HTML, and Java, UIBinder enables simple and less difficult design and customization of widgets.

The Servlet API is followed by the JavaServer Faces API. 

It makes it possible to create custom components straight from component classes and use a variety of display methods in applications.

UIBinder is a template language used by GWT. HTML/template is the template language used by JSF.
The MVC Restlet framework exists in GWT. The frameworks for JSF include Primefaces, Bootsfaces, ICEFaces, Omnifaces, Richfaces, ADF, and AngularFaces.
GWT includes places and activities for Model View Presenter. MVC (Model View Controller) is a design pattern used in JSF.
Google is the creator of GWT. The team led by Amy Flower creates JSF.
GWT was first made available on May 16, 2006. JSF was first made available in June 2001.
On www.gwtproject.org/doc, you can find GWT's technical documentation. On http://www.javaserverfaces.org/docs, you can get JSF technical documentation.
More users utilise GWT. JSF only has a few users.

Frequently asked questions

What is fullform of GWT and JSF?

GWT stands for Google Web Toolkit and JSF stands for Java Server Faces.

What is GWT is a module descriptor?

A configuration file called a module descriptor is used to set up GWT applications. Its file extension is *.gwt.xml, where * is the application's name, and it should be located at the root of the project.

What is the name of any GWT widget's default style?

Each component's class name by default is gwt-. For instance, the TextBox widget's default style is gwt-TextBox, while the Button widget's default style is gwt-Button.

Give the system specifications needed to use JSF.

JDK 1.5 or above is required on the platform in order to use JSF in a computer.

How does the JSF (JavaServer Faces) life cycle's render phase operate?

The requested view is rendered as a response to the client browser during this stage. View rendering is a procedure where HTML or XHTML is produced as the output. The user can therefore view it on their browser.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about GWT and JSF and some main reasons why we should use them, and also we have learned about some of the differences between them so that we can have a clear understanding of where we should use them.

To learn more about the GWT article please refer to the following articles:

GWT Ui Binder

GWT focus panel

GWT grid

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