Blogger: Richard Monson-Haefel
Link: Raible Designs | Comparing Web Frameworks: Time for a Change?.
Matt Raible is considering updating his evaluation of Java web frameworks - personally I can't wait to read the results of his research. I wish he was including Spring MVC if only because its so popular, but I understand the need to limit the number of frameworks evaluated. Matt does excellent analysis and I've depended on his expertise in the past. Keep an eye out for his update because it will be well worth the read.
The APS team has frequently spoken about doing a more comprehensive web framework evaluation our selves - perhaps one that utilizes the new "subthread" format. A subthread document is actually composed of several documents including a Technologies and Standards, a Market Landscape, and at least three Product Profiles. They take an enormous amount of effort to write but the resulting coverage is very deep and the format is very flexible. For example, next quarter I'll complete a subthread on Rich Mobile Application development for the enterprise. That document includes a 27 page technology and standards document, five product profiles (Java ME, Flash Lite, Mobile Ajax, Microsoft .NET CF, and BlackBerry MDS) ranging from 10 - 25 pages each, and a market landscape which will probably be another 20 - 30 pages long. I've spent almost the entire year working on it.
The amount of time and research required to write a subthread makes us careful about taking them on - I could do a whole subthread on web frameworks but that would put me out of action of at least a couple of quarters. I could also so a subthread on Rich Internet Applications or build on the Rich Mobile Application subthread I'm just now completing. In the end we have to let the needs of our customer drive our research so the decision is ultimately up to them. What would you prefer?



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