What is the difference between Struts 1 and Struts 2?

What is the difference between Struts 1 and Struts 2?

Struts 1 and Struts 2 are both popular Java web application frameworks, but they have some key differences.

• Architecture: Struts 1 follows the Model 1 architecture, where the presentation logic is mixed with the business logic in JSP pages. Struts 2 follows the Model 2 architecture and promotes a cleaner separation of concerns with a central controller (ActionServlet) that manages request processing.
• Configuration: Struts 1 uses XML-based configuration files, which can sometimes be verbose and complex. Struts 2 utilizes annotations and a convention-over-configuration approach, making it easier to set up and configure.
• Tag Libraries: Struts 1 relies on JSP-based custom tag libraries for UI components, which can be limiting. Struts 2 introduces a more flexible and powerful tag library based on the FreeMarker template engine.
• Validation Framework: Struts 1 includes a basic validation framework that requires manual configuration. Struts 2 includes a robust validation framework based on the XWork validation framework, which offers declarative validation rules and supports client-side and server-side validation.
• Interceptor stack: Struts 2 introduces the concept of interceptors, enabling developers to modularize and customize request processing flow. Struts 1 does not have a built-in interceptor stack.

Overall, Struts 2 offers a more modern and flexible framework compared to Struts 1, with improved features for easier development and maintenance of Java web applications.