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Saturday 22 February 2025
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Differences Between Javax and Jakarta

Key Differences Between Javax and Jakarta

1. Origin and Administration:

  • Javax: APIs and packages with the javax prefix are part of Java EE (Java Enterprise Edition), originally managed by Sun Microsystems and later by Oracle.
  • Jakarta: It is the successor to Java EE under the administration of the Eclipse Foundation. With the transfer of Java EE to Eclipse, the name changed to Jakarta EE.

2. Name and Branding:

  • Javax: Reflects the name of the original Java EE specification. All key packages, such as javax.servlet, javax.persistence, and javax.ejb, are grouped under the Javax name.
  • Jakarta: Under Jakarta EE, packages and specifications have been renamed, replacing javax with jakarta. For example, javax.servlet is now jakarta.servlet.

3. Compatibility:

  • Javax: Applications developed using Javax are typically compatible with Java EE application servers. Older versions of application servers mainly support javax.
  • Jakarta: With the renaming to jakarta, there was a break in code compatibility, as applications developed for Jakarta EE need to be adjusted to the new package names.

4. Evolution and Features:

  • Javax: Under Oracle, Javax evolved slowly with major updates but had a more conservative release cycle.
  • Jakarta: Since being managed by Eclipse, Jakarta EE has adopted a more agile release cycle, incorporating new features more quickly, with an open community driving its development.

5. Future and Direction:

  • Javax: With the transition to Jakarta EE, javax is not expected to receive significant updates in the future.
  • Jakarta: It serves as the foundation for future Java enterprise platform specifications, focusing on modernization, cloud integration, and microservices development.

Jakarta represents the future of enterprise application development in Java, with a renewed and more dynamic approach, while Javax is a relic of the past that laid the foundation for many of today's enterprise technologies.

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Jorge García

Fullstack developer