Zoltan Fehervari

February 27, 2024

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Don't let outdated libraries hold you back in 2024. Our handpicked selection of the best Java libraries will take your coding to the next level. Start coding smarter today!

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This is the Top 10 Java libraries for 2024, providing you with a comprehensive overview of these powerful tools and how they can enhance your development projects.

So, whether you're a seasoned Java developer or just starting your journey, let's explore the best Java libraries that you should be incorporating into your toolkit!

But first, let’s see what Java libraries are and how to install them...

What is a java library?

Java libraries are collections of pre-written code that developers can utilize to streamline their work and accomplish specific tasks more efficiently. These libraries consist of classes, methods, and interfaces designed to handle common programming challenges, such as reading and writing files, handling network connections, or processing data. By leveraging Java libraries, developers can save time and effort, as they don't have to write these functionalities from scratch.

Java libraries can be standard or third-party. Standard libraries are included in the Java Development Kit (JDK) and are an integral part of the Java programming language. These libraries, such as java.lang, java.util, and java.io, cover a wide range of functionalities and are readily available for developers to use.

On the other hand, third-party libraries are developed and maintained by external organizations or individual developers. They often focus on specific functionalities or use cases, such as data manipulation, logging, or testing.

Framework vs Library?

A framework serves as a foundation for building and deploying applications rapidly, providing resources that enable faster development and improved user experience.

Conversely, a library enhances an application's functionality by offering pre-written code for specific tasks. Developing a custom library allows us to reuse its functions across multiple applications, streamlining the development process.

How to install java libraries?

To install Java libraries, follow these steps:

Download and extract the library from its website. Find the library you want to install and download the necessary files, usually in the form of a JAR file or a ZIP archive containing JAR files and documentation.
Locate the JAR file(s) for the library and the API documentation. You need to know where these files are located on your computer to add the library to your Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like Eclipse or NetBeans.

If you are using Eclipse:

1
Open the "Preferences" window in Eclipse.
2
Create a new user library to add the downloaded JAR files. This will make it easy to use the library in multiple projects.
3
Add the JAR files to the newly created user library.
4
In your project, right-click on the "Java Build Path" and select "Configure Build Path." Then, add the user library you created earlier to your project.

If you are using NetBeans:

1
Right-click on the "Libraries" node in your project and select "Add JAR/Folder".
2
Browse to the location of the JAR file(s) you downloaded and extracted, then add them to the project.
3
If necessary, right-click in the editor window and click "Fix Imports" to resolve any missing import statements.

For use outside of your IDE, add the JAR file(s) to your Java classpath. The process for setting the classpath varies depending on your operating system.

These steps should help you install Java libraries in your preferred development environment.

Java Libraries in 2024 - Top 10

1 - Jackson and Gson

Jackson is widely used for JSON parsing and processing in Java, offering high-performance data processing for JSON, XML, and other formats.
Gson excels in converting Java objects to their JSON representation and vice versa, ideal for applications that require easy and straightforward JSON data handling.

Jackson Example:

Jackson JSON Processing - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

Gson Example:

Gson JSON Conversion - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

2 - Log5j

Log5j is an advanced logging library that offers high-performance logging capabilities, including dynamic formatting and varargs support for logging methods.

Log5j Example:

Log5j Logging Example - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

3 - jUnit

jUnit is essential for testing in Java, allowing for efficient and effective unit and integration testing.

JUnit Example:

JUnit Testing Example - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

4 - Caffeine

Caffeine is a high-performance caching library that provides an in-memory cache with an easy-to-use API.

Caffeine Example:

Caffeine Caching Example - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

5 - Apache Commons

Apache Commons offers a suite of utility classes that simplify common Java programming tasks.

Apache Commons Example:

Apache Commons IO - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

6 - HTTP Libraries

Various libraries like Google HTTP Client, Apache HttpComponents, and others facilitate making HTTP requests and handling responses in Java.

Apache HttpComponents Example:

Apache HttpComponents Request - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

7 - Collection Libraries

Libraries like Apache Commons Collections or Eclipse Collections offer enhanced collections and utilities for Java, providing additional functionality beyond the JDK's collections framework.

Eclipse Collections Example:

Eclipse Collections Usage - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

8 - Joda-Time

Joda-Time provides a quality alternative to the JDK's date and time classes, with better API and more features.

Joda-Time Example:

9 - JavaParser

JavaParser allows for analysis and manipulation of Java code, offering a way to parse, inspect, and modify Java code dynamically.

JavaParser Example:

JavaParser Code Analysis - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

10 - jOOλ (jOOL)

jOOL extends Java 8's Stream API, providing more sophisticated stream operations and functional programming capabilities.

jOOL Example:

jOOL Functional Programming - Top 10 Java Libraries - Bluebird International

These top 10 Java libraries and frameworks are essential tools for Java developers in 2024. They offer valuable features and functionalities that help streamline development processes and ensure code quality. By incorporating these libraries and frameworks into your projects, you'll be better equipped to create efficient, reliable, and maintainable Java applications.

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