What is the difference between Apache Tomcat and JBoss/Wildfly and in what scenarios would you choose one over the other for deployment?

Difference between Apache Tomcat and JBoss/Wildfly

Apache Tomcat is a lightweight, open-source application server primarily used for hosting Java-based web applications. It is a servlet container that implements the Java Servlet and JavaServer Pages specifications. On the other hand, JBoss (now known as Wildfly) is a full-featured Java EE application server that provides a complete set of services for enterprise applications.

Key Differences:

• Architecture: Apache Tomcat is a servlet container, while JBoss/Wildfly is a full-fledged Java EE application server that includes additional features like EJB, JMS, JPA, and more.
• Administration: JBoss/Wildfly has more advanced management and monitoring capabilities compared to Apache Tomcat.
• Clustering: JBoss/Wildfly provides built-in support for clustering and high availability, whereas Apache Tomcat requires additional configuration for clustering.
• Scalability: JBoss/Wildfly is better suited for large-scale, enterprise-level applications that require complex configurations and scalability options.

Scenarios for Choosing:

Choose Apache Tomcat when:

• You need a lightweight server for hosting simple Java web applications.
• You do not require full Java EE functionality and only need servlet and JSP support.
• You have limited resources and do not need the additional features provided by JBoss/Wildfly.

Choose JBoss/Wildfly when:

• You are developing enterprise-level applications that require full Java EE support.
• You need advanced features like EJB, JMS, JPA, and clustering for high availability.
• You require robust management and monitoring capabilities for your application server.

Ultimately, the choice between Apache Tomcat and JBoss/Wildfly depends on the specific requirements of your application, the level of scalability and complexity needed, and the resources available for server setup and maintenance.