Building and Deploying Jakarta EE Applications on Application Servers

Introduction

Building and deploying Jakarta EE (formerly Java EE) applications is a fundamental skill for Java professionals working in enterprise-level systems. Jakarta EE provides a robust, standardized framework for developing scalable and maintainable applications. However, one of the challenges faced by developers is how to efficiently deploy these applications on various application servers that support Jakarta EE, such as Payara, WildFly, GlassFish, or JBoss EAP.

In this article, we will explore the best practices for building and deploying Jakarta EE applications on these application servers. We will cover topics such as choosing the right application server, setting up the development environment, packaging Jakarta EE applications, and deploying them. We will also discuss some useful deployment tips, common pitfalls to avoid, and ways to optimize the deployment process.

What is Jakarta EE?

Jakarta EE is a set of specifications that extend Java SE (Standard Edition) with additional APIs for developing large-scale, multi-tiered, enterprise-level applications. These specifications cover areas like persistence (JPA), messaging (JMS), transactions (JTA), and dependency injection (CDI), among others. Jakarta EE builds on the simplicity of Java SE but introduces enterprise features, making it ideal for building modern, scalable web and microservices-based applications.

Before jumping into deployment specifics, it’s important to understand that Jakarta EE applications are typically packaged as WAR (Web Application Archive) or EAR (Enterprise Application Archive) files. These archives are later deployed onto Jakarta EE-compatible application servers.

Choosing the Right Application Server

There are several popular Jakarta EE-compatible application servers that developers can use to build and deploy applications. Each of these servers has its own strengths and is suited for different use cases. Below are some of the most common Jakarta EE application servers:

Payara Server
- Payara is one of the most popular open-source application servers that is fully Jakarta EE compliant. It is an enhanced fork of GlassFish and supports all Jakarta EE features. Payara is well-known for its production-ready features, scalability, and robust clustering support.
- Official website: Payara
WildFly
- WildFly is an open-source Jakarta EE-compatible application server developed by Red Hat. It is known for its lightweight architecture, high performance, and modular design. WildFly is an excellent choice for microservices-based architectures and is also the foundation of JBoss EAP.
- Official website: WildFly
GlassFish
- GlassFish is the reference implementation for Jakarta EE and is one of the oldest Jakarta EE-compliant servers. Although it is less commonly used in production environments today, it remains a solid option for development and testing.
- Official website: GlassFish
JBoss EAP (Enterprise Application Platform)
- JBoss EAP is an enterprise-grade application server based on WildFly. It provides additional enterprise support, including extensive documentation, commercial support, and advanced features like clustering and high availability.
- Official website: JBoss EAP

Setting Up the Development Environment

Before you can start building and deploying Jakarta EE applications, you need to set up your development environment. This involves installing an IDE, setting up a build tool, and selecting a Jakarta EE application server for deployment.

1. IDE Setup

A suitable Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is essential for Jakarta EE development. Popular choices include:

IntelliJ IDEA: Supports Jakarta EE development with excellent integration and built-in tools for building, running, and deploying Jakarta EE applications.
Eclipse IDE: Eclipse is one of the most popular IDEs for Java development and offers various plugins like Eclim and Jboss Tools for Jakarta EE development.
NetBeans: Another good option for Jakarta EE development, especially for those who prefer an all-in-one solution.

2. Build Tools

Jakarta EE applications typically use build tools like Maven or Gradle to automate the compilation, packaging, and deployment of the application. These tools are essential for managing dependencies and building deployable WAR or EAR files.

Maven: A popular choice for Jakarta EE projects, Maven handles dependency management, builds, and integrates with Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD).
Gradle: A newer build tool, Gradle is faster and more flexible than Maven and is widely adopted in modern Java development, especially for microservices-based architectures.

3. Setting Up the Application Server

Choose an application server (such as Payara, WildFly, GlassFish, or JBoss) and download the server package. You can either use the server’s standalone version or set it up to run as a container in your IDE. Most IDEs allow you to configure and run the server directly from within the environment.

WildFly Setup: Download and unzip WildFly, and configure it in your IDE for easy deployment.
Payara Setup: Install Payara using the bundled Payara Server installer or set it up in a Docker container.
GlassFish Setup: Set up GlassFish through the official installer or run it in a containerized environment.

Packaging Jakarta EE Applications

Jakarta EE applications are packaged into WAR (Web Application Archive) or EAR (Enterprise Application Archive) files for deployment. The choice between WAR and EAR depends on the complexity of the application.

1. WAR (Web Application Archive)

A WAR file is used to package Jakarta EE web applications. It contains the web components like servlets, JSPs, and static files such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with configuration files like web.xml.
To create a WAR file with Maven, use the maven-war-plugin:

XML

<plugin>
    <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
    <artifactId>maven-war-plugin</artifactId>
    <version>3.3.1</version>
</plugin>

To build the WAR file, use the Maven command:

mvn clean package

2. EAR (Enterprise Application Archive)

An EAR file is used when your application has multiple modules like web components (WAR files), EJBs, or other Java modules. EAR is often used in large-scale enterprise applications.
To package your Jakarta EE application into an EAR file with Maven, you can use the maven-ear-plugin:

XML

<plugin>
    <groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
    <artifactId>maven-ear-plugin</artifactId>
    <version>3.1.0</version>
</plugin>

To build the EAR file, use the Maven command:

mvn clean package

Deploying Jakarta EE Applications

Once the application is packaged into a WAR or EAR file, you can deploy it to your chosen Jakarta EE application server. Most application servers support hot deployment, meaning you can deploy the application without restarting the server.

1. Deploying on Payara Server

Manual Deployment: Copy the WAR file to the payara4/glassfish/domains/domain1/autodeploy directory.
Admin Console: You can also deploy through Payara’s admin console by uploading the WAR file.
CLI Deployment: Use the asadmin deploy command for command-line deployments.

2. Deploying on WildFly

Admin Console: WildFly provides a web-based management console where you can upload and deploy WAR files.
CLI Deployment: Use the deploy command in WildFly’s CLI for deployment.

./jboss-cli.sh --connect --command="deploy /path/to/your-app.war"

3. Deploying on GlassFish

Admin Console: GlassFish has a built-in admin console that allows you to deploy WAR files.
CLI Deployment: Use the asadmin deploy command for GlassFish.

4. Deploying on JBoss EAP

Admin Console: JBoss EAP also supports deployment through its admin console, where you can upload and deploy WAR or EAR files.
CLI Deployment: Use the deploy command from JBoss’s management CLI.

./jboss-cli.sh --connect --command="deploy /path/to/your-app.war"

Tips for Successful Deployment

Check Server Logs: Always monitor server logs during deployment to quickly identify errors.
Test Locally: Before deploying to a production environment, always test your application locally on the server.
Optimize Configurations: For high-traffic applications, optimize server configurations for performance, such as connection pooling and thread management.
Automate Deployment: Consider using CI/CD tools like Jenkins to automate your deployment process.

External Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Jakarta EE?
- Jakarta EE is a set of specifications that extend Java SE for developing enterprise-level applications.
What is the difference between WAR and EAR files?
- A WAR file contains web-related components, while an EAR file can include multiple modules, such as web modules (WAR), EJBs, and other Java modules.
Which Jakarta EE application server should I choose?
- The best server depends on your application needs. Payara is great for enterprise features, WildFly is known for its lightweight and modular nature, and JBoss EAP offers robust enterprise support.
How do I deploy a Jakarta EE application to Payara?
- You can deploy your application by copying the WAR file to the autodeploy folder or using Payara’s admin console or CLI.
Can I use Jakarta EE with other Java frameworks?
- Yes, Jakarta EE integrates well with other frameworks like Spring or microservice-based frameworks.
What are the benefits of using Jakarta EE?
- Jakarta EE offers a comprehensive, standardized way to build enterprise applications, providing built-in features like dependency injection, transaction management, and security.
How do I optimize my Jakarta EE application for performance?
- Use connection pooling, cache frequently accessed data, and monitor server logs to identify performance bottlenecks.
Is Jakarta EE only for large applications?
- While Jakarta EE is designed for large-scale enterprise applications, it can also be used in smaller applications that require robust features.
What is the difference between Jakarta EE and Spring?
- Jakarta EE is a specification that defines how enterprise features should be implemented in Java, while Spring is a framework that provides a set of tools to develop Java applications. Both are used in enterprise development.
Can I deploy Jakarta EE applications on cloud platforms?
- Yes, Jakarta EE applications can be deployed on cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud using containerized solutions like Docker.

Conclusion

Building and deploying Jakarta EE applications on various application servers requires careful selection of the appropriate server, setting up a proper development environment, and following best practices for packaging and deploying your application. By leveraging the power of Jakarta EE, developers can create robust, scalable, and maintainable enterprise-level applications with minimal effort.