Part 1. Struts 2: a brand new framework

Struts 2 is indeed a brand new framework. We see it as one of the second-generation web application frameworks. In addition to including all the cutting-edge features one would expect from a new framework, Struts 2 introduces many architectural refinements that might not be familiar to some developers. All this means that we need to take the time to properly introduce this new framework to our readers. The first two chapters of this book serve that purpose.

In chapter 1, we provide a high-level introduction and overview. Before introducing the framework itself, we sketch the technological context in which a Java web application framework such as Struts 2 resides. This information may be old hat for some users, and it probably won’t be adequate for full-on newbies. Our purpose is to provide a quick sketch of the technologies you should probably be familiar with if you’re going to develop Struts 2 applications. We quickly get past the background stuff and provide a thorough high-level overview of the innovative architecture of Struts 2. This well-engineered architecture is definitely one of the framework’s hallmarks.