Jakarta Enterprise Edition Migration

Yatin BatraOctober 22nd, 2024Last Updated: October 18th, 2024

1 152 3 minutes read

Java EE has long served as a foundational platform for developing robust and scalable enterprise applications. With features like dependency injection, transactions, and web services, Java EE has enabled developers to create powerful applications. However, as the software landscape evolved, so did the need for a more modern, flexible, and community-driven approach. This shift led to the birth of Jakarta EE (the successor to Java EE), a reimagined platform under the auspices of the Eclipse Foundation. Let us delve into understanding Java to Jakarta Enterprise Edition migration.

1. The Genesis of Jakarta EE

The transition from Java EE to Jakarta EE began in 2017 when Oracle decided to transfer the stewardship of Java EE to the Eclipse Foundation. This move was aimed at fostering a more open and collaborative environment for the platform’s development. In 2018, the first version of Jakarta EE, Jakarta EE 8, was released, maintaining compatibility with Java EE 8 while paving the way for future innovation. Jakarta EE represents a significant shift towards a community-driven approach, allowing developers and organizations to contribute to the evolution of the platform. The change in branding also allowed for the introduction of new specifications and enhancements without being tied to Oracle’s release cycle.

1.1 Common problems associated with Java EE

Complexity: The Java EE platform can be complex to configure and manage, making it challenging for new developers.
Heavyweight: Java EE applications tend to be heavyweight, often requiring substantial resources and longer startup times.
Deployment Issues: Deployment of Java EE applications can be cumbersome, especially when dealing with multiple components.
Vendor Lock-in: There is a risk of vendor lock-in due to reliance on specific application servers or frameworks.
Steep Learning Curve: The learning curve can be steep for developers who are not familiar with the Java EE ecosystem.
Performance Overhead: The abstraction layers in Java EE can introduce performance overhead compared to lighter frameworks.
Limited Flexibility: While Java EE provides a lot of features, it may limit flexibility in choosing technologies or architectures.

2. Why Migrate to Jakarta EE?

Migrating to Jakarta EE offers several compelling advantages that align with modern development practices:

Community-Driven Development: Jakarta EE is governed by the Eclipse Foundation, which emphasizes collaboration and innovation, allowing developers to propose and contribute to new features.
Modern Features: Jakarta EE embraces cloud-native principles and introduces new specifications such as Jakarta MVC and Jakarta RESTful Web Services, providing tools for modern application development.
Future-Proofing: By migrating, organizations can leverage new APIs and features that facilitate development in cloud environments and microservices architectures.
Improved Compatibility: Jakarta EE aims to ensure compatibility with emerging technologies, frameworks, and platforms, making it easier to integrate with modern DevOps practices.
Better Support for Microservices: With a focus on microservices, Jakarta EE offers tools and frameworks that help developers build, deploy, and manage microservices effectively.

3. How to Migrate From Java EE to Jakarta EE?

Migrating from Java EE to Jakarta EE involves several steps to ensure a smooth transition. Below is a detailed guide to facilitate this migration:

Assess Current Java EE Applications: Start by evaluating your existing Java EE applications. Identify which specifications you are currently using, such as JPA, CDI, or EJB, and catalog all dependencies.

Update Dependencies: Update your project’s dependencies to point to Jakarta EE artifacts. For Maven projects, you will modify your pom.xml file. For example, replace:

<dependency>
	<groupId>javax.servlet</groupId>
	<artifactId>javax.servlet-api</artifactId>
	<version>your_javax_version</version>
	<scope>provided</scope>
</dependency>

with:

<dependency>
	<groupId>jakarta.servlet</groupId>
	<artifactId>jakarta.servlet-api</artifactId>
	<version>your_jakarta_latest_versionlt;/version>
	<scope>provided</scope>
</dependency>

Refactor Code: Update all Java EE package names in your code to their Jakarta EE equivalents. For instance, change:
```
import javax.ejb.EJB; // Java EE
```
to:
```
import jakarta.ejb.EJB; // Jakarta EE
```
It’s also essential to update configuration files like web.xml or persistence.xml as needed to reflect any new settings or specifications introduced in Jakarta EE.
Review and Update Application Servers: Ensure that the application server you are using supports Jakarta EE. Some popular servers like Payara, WildFly, and TomEE have already been updated to support Jakarta EE.
Test the Application: Thoroughly test your application post-migration. Implement unit tests and integration tests to identify any issues that may arise from the migration. Consider using automated testing frameworks to facilitate this process.
Deploy the Application: Once testing is complete, deploy the migrated application in a Jakarta EE-compatible environment. Monitor the application closely post-deployment to identify any runtime issues.

4. Conclusion

The migration from Java EE to Jakarta EE is not just a necessary step in keeping up with the evolving technology landscape but also an opportunity to modernize enterprise applications. By leveraging the community-driven development model, organizations can foster innovation and adapt to new paradigms in application development. Following the outlined steps will help ensure a smooth migration process, paving the way for future development, enhanced performance, and improved maintainability of applications. In conclusion, Jakarta EE represents a promising future for enterprise development. Organizations that embrace this transition will not only benefit from enhanced features but also position themselves to take full advantage of cloud-native architectures and microservices, ensuring their applications remain relevant and competitive.