What is the difference between traditional WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Liberty?

What is the difference between traditional WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Liberty?

WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Liberty are both server products offered by IBM, but there are some key differences between the two:

1. Architecture: Traditional WebSphere Application Server follows a monolithic architecture, while WebSphere Liberty is a lightweight, modular server built on the Open Liberty project.
2. Footprint: WebSphere Liberty has a smaller footprint compared to traditional WebSphere, making it easier to deploy and manage, especially in containerized environments.
3. Startup Time: WebSphere Liberty has faster startup times compared to traditional WebSphere, which can be advantageous in environments requiring rapid scaling or frequent restarts.
4. Licensing: WebSphere Liberty typically has a more flexible licensing structure compared to traditional WebSphere, allowing for more cost-effective deployment options.
5. Development and Deployment: WebSphere Liberty is designed to be more developer-friendly, with support for modern development practices like microservices and cloud-native applications.

Ultimately, the choice between WebSphere Application Server and WebSphere Liberty will depend on the specific requirements of your project, including factors such as scalability, performance, and ease of management.