What’s New in Apache Struts 7

Apache Struts has long been a cornerstone framework for Java-based web applications, offering developers robust tools to build enterprise-grade solutions. With the release of Apache Struts 7.0.0, the framework takes a significant leap forward, introducing a host of new features and improvements. This article explores the key updates, including enhanced security, modern standards alignment, and improved developer experience.

Modernizing with Jakarta EE

One of the most significant changes in Struts 7.0.0 is its transition from Java EE to Jakarta EE. This shift aligns the framework with the latest enterprise Java standards, ensuring better compatibility with modern development tools and frameworks.

Key Benefits of Jakarta EE Migration:

• Future-proofing: Jakarta EE is actively maintained and evolving, unlike Java EE, which has been deprecated.
• Modern Ecosystem: It supports integration with cloud-native technologies and microservices architectures.
• Enhanced Performance: Optimized APIs in Jakarta EE improve runtime performance and resource management.
• Better Security: Jakarta EE includes stronger authentication and authorization mechanisms, making applications more secure.

For developers, the transition involves namespace changes (e.g., javax to jakarta), but tools and migration guides are available to ease the process.

Embracing Java 17

Apache Struts 7.0.0 requires Java 17 as the minimum runtime, ensuring alignment with the latest long-term support (LTS) version of Java. This move brings:

• Improved Performance: Java 17 introduces numerous performance enhancements and language features.
• Security Updates: Access to the latest security patches and features from the Java ecosystem.
• Modern Features: Developers can leverage features like records, sealed classes, and enhanced switch expressions to write cleaner, more expressive code.

Enhanced Security Measures

Security has always been a critical focus for Apache Struts, and version 7.0.0 raises the bar with several enhancements:

Stronger Default Configurations:

• Default settings are now more secure out of the box, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities caused by misconfigurations. Learn more about secure configurations here.

Refined Input Validation:

• Stricter validation rules ensure only valid and expected input is processed, protecting against common injection attacks. For details, visit the input validation security guide.
• Dynamic method invocation is disabled by default, mitigating remote execution risks. Learn more about this security measure here.

Advanced CSRF Protection:

• Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) tokens have been strengthened for better protection against unauthorized actions. Details can be found here.

Updated Error and Exception Handling:

• Error messages and logs now sanitize sensitive data, preventing unintended information leaks. Read more about error handling here.

Package Refactoring and Deprecation Cleanup

To improve maintainability and modernization, Struts 7.0.0 includes significant package refactoring:

• Class Relocation: Core classes from the com.opensymphony.xwork package have been moved to org.apache.struts2.
• Text and Locale Updates: Classes related to text and localization are now found under org.apache.struts2.text and org.apache.struts2.locale.

Additionally, deprecated features have been removed to streamline the framework and reduce technical debt, making applications cleaner and easier to maintain.

Removed Plugins

Apache Struts 7.0.0 has deprecated and removed several plugins to streamline the framework and encourage the use of modern alternatives. Below are the plugins that have been removed:

• Codebehind Plugin: Previously used to simplify action and result configurations, this plugin has been removed. Developers are encouraged to use the Convention Plugin as an alternative.
• SiteGraph Plugin: Used for visualizing site navigation, this plugin has been deprecated and removed due to obsolescence.
• Tiles Plugin: Provided integration with Tiles for templating and layout management. Developers are advised to explore alternative templating solutions.
• Pell Multipart Plugin: Used for multipart file uploads, this plugin has been removed in favor of newer and more secure methods.
• Direct Web Remoting (DWR) Plugin: Provided integration with DWR for AJAX functionality. This plugin has been removed due to obsolescence and limited adoption.
• Codebehind Plugin: Previously used to simplify action and result configurations, this plugin has been removed. Developers are encouraged to use the Convention Plugin as an alternative.
• JSF Plugin: Provided integration with JavaServer Faces (JSF). It was removed due to limited usage and the availability of better integration methods.
• Struts 1 Plugin: Facilitated migration from Struts 1 to Struts 2. With Struts 1 reaching the end of life, this plugin is no longer necessary.
• Sitemesh Plugin: This plugin was used to integrate Sitemesh templating into Struts applications but has been deprecated due to its obsolescence and limited usage. You can use Sitemesh directly without a plugin if needed. Please take a look on this example how to do it.

These removals are part of the effort to modernize the framework and encourage the adoption of updated practices. Applications relying on these plugins should plan for refactoring during migration.

Milestone Releases: A Roadmap to Stability

Struts 7.0.0’s development included multiple milestone releases (e.g., M1, M6, M9, and M10), each contributing incremental improvements:

• 7.0.0-M1: Introduced Jakarta EE migration and Java 17 requirement. Version Notes
• 7.0.0-M6: Focused on package refactoring and security enhancements. Version Notes
• 7.0.0-M9: Added bug fixes and improved text handling utilities. Version Notes
• 7.0.0-M10: Final cleanup of deprecated features and migration refinements. Version Notes

Why Migrate to Apache Struts 7.0.0?

Migrating to Struts 7.0.0 offers a range of benefits for both developers and businesses:

• Security: Stronger defaults and modern practices protect applications from contemporary threats.
• Performance: Upgraded dependencies and optimized APIs improve efficiency.
• Future-Readiness: The move to Jakarta EE and Java 17 ensures long-term compatibility and access to the latest enterprise technologies.

Conclusion

Apache Struts 7.0.0 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the framework, delivering a modernized, secure, and high-performance tool for web application development. By adopting Jakarta EE and requiring Java 17, Struts aligns itself with contemporary standards, ensuring developers can build applications that are both robust and future-proof. Whether you are maintaining existing Struts applications or starting new projects, this release provides a compelling reason to embrace the next generation of enterprise Java development. For guidance on transitioning from Struts 6.x to 7.x, consult the migration guide.

For more information and migration guides, visit the official Apache Struts website.