What Is Java EE (Jakarta EE)?

Java EE is a collection of libraries composed of classes and packages used to develop enterprise-level or large-scale applications in an organized manner.

As the scope of an application grows, the complexity of the technologies used and the requirements involved also increases.

To address these evolving needs and reduce complexity, Java grouped its libraries and assigned them aliases such as SE, ME, and EE.

It is called Enterprise Edition because the libraries it includes are highly suitable for developing enterprise applications.

Below are some of the commonly used Java EE libraries:

• Servlet
• JSP (JavaServer Pages)
• EL (Expression Language)
• JSTL (JavaServer Pages Standard Tag Library)
• JSF (JavaServer Faces)
• JAX-RS (Java API for RESTful Web Services)
• WebSocket (Java API for WebSocket)
• JSON-P (Java API for JSON Processing)
• EJB (Enterprise JavaBeans)
• JPA (Java Persistence API)

Why Is Java EE Preferred for Enterprise Projects?

Java EE solves security, transaction management, session handling and scalability with standard components in large-scale applications, so developers focus on business logic instead of building infrastructure from scratch.

Layered Architecture

Separating the presentation, business and data layers keeps the application manageable as it grows and makes maintenance and new features easier.

Java EE and Jakarta EE

In 2017 Oracle transferred Java EE to the Eclipse Foundation, where it continues to be developed under the name Jakarta EE. Starting with Jakarta EE 9, package names changed from javax.* to jakarta.*. Moving an older Java EE application to a new version therefore requires updating package names, while the architecture and concepts stay the same.

What Is an Application Server?

Java EE applications run on an application server that implements these standards. WildFly, JBoss EAP, Payara and Open Liberty are common examples. The application server provides services such as database connection pooling, transaction management, security and session management, so the same application can run on different compliant servers.

Which Projects Is It Suited To?

It suits multi-user business applications that will be used for many years and where authorisation and record traceability matter. Its stability and broad ecosystem make it a common choice for laboratory management, production tracking and enterprise integration.

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