Evaluation of Java-based open source web frameworks with Ajax support

Web frameworks are widely used in web applications to lower development effort and ease maintenance. The large number of Java¹ web frameworks makes it hard to decide for one. A systematic approach is necessary to come to an optimal decision under given requirements and conditions. For this work, 110 Java web frameworks were gathered; 13 of them were analyzed by the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The result is a systematic approach towards a selection guidance for a Java web framework within a particular project. The list of Java web frameworks and the goal hierarchy can be reused, adopted and extended as required. The process described in this paper enables project leaders and developers to do their own comparisons - it is not limited to evaluation of Java Web frameworks. The AHP, as described here, allows a decision maker to adjust the priorities of criteria and intensities according to his needs in a comprehensible manner.