Java Open Sources
Featuring the huge set of Java Open Sources
Certain
unnamed parties had tried to advance the notion that Java is getting
far from full and enthusiastic support in the Open Source community. Sun,
by
making Java Open Source, would
see, according to the unnamed parties, a flourishing of Open Source Java
development.
However, our perusal of the Java Open Source scene finds it not just flourishing;
but overflowing with a cornucopia of programs and applications listed here.
Our
list is biased towards development tools and developers are particularly
encouraged to try out the new Java IDE's the
much improved NetBeans and the IBM WebSphere-inspired Eclipse.
Both are full blown IDEs with full power text editing, drag-and-drop visual
designers (Neteans natively, Eclipse with some plugins)and full breakpoint
and watches enabled debugging. Also both systems have a large roster of other
3rd party
and open
source
plugins.
In
addition
the list includes Apps, DBMS,
Games, and Languages.
Now to further dispel the notion these are not industrial strength applications we have added links to books and/or reviews in some of the key apps and tools. Be sure to check out the books and info marked with a Reference: tag. So Java Open Source is alive and well. Many thanks to the Java Open Source projects. If you know of a Java Open Source application or tool that you think should be on this list, please recommend it.
Some readers have noted that the latest additions to the JavaOpens
listing gets lost in the length of the list. So we are providing a small
executive summary for each newly added Java Open Source Tool.
Blue Jay - Popular instructional Java IDE which also works as NetBeans plugin. Go here to see all the educational institutions using the IDE
| Java Software | Type | Description |
| ActiveMQ | Dev | A JMS message queuing framework with J2EE ties |
| Ant, Apache | Dev | Java XML-based make-build utility |
| Reference:Books Jakarta Pitfalls, Java Ant provide insight into Ant's effectiveness. | ||
| ANTLR.org | Lang | Java parser generator in style of yacc/lex, good book |
| BYacc/J | Lang | U Cal Berkley's Compiler compiler for Java |
| Arianne | Game | Java role playing game creation tool |
| ArgoUML | Dev | powerful UML design and CASE tool; many novel features |
| Art of Illusion | App | a 3D graphics modeling, rendering and animation tool |
| AspectJ | Lang | Aspect oriented programming extension to Java |
| AspectWerkz | Dev | AOP framework for Java |
| AurigaDoc | App | Java-XML documentor:HTML,JavaHelp, OracleHelp, PDF, PS |
| Axis, Apache | Dev | implements JAX/RPC for Web Services in Java |
| Reference:Good coverage of Axis in this general book on Java Web Services | ||
| Barbecue | Dev | Java barcode generator for Swing/AWT use |
| BCEL, Apache | Dev | A Java .class file reader and dis-assembler |
| BeanShell | Lang | An embeddable scripting interpreter of Java, very cool |
| Reference:A good book on J2EE Insights also provides neat BeanShell and Struts usage. | ||
| BlueJ | Lang | Java IDE popular for its instructional value, has NetBeans plugin |
| Reference:The following book provides a n Intro to Java Object using BlueJ | ||
| BSF, IBM | Dev | A BeanShell scripting framework for integration with |
| Cactus, Apache | Dev | JUnit test bed on the server side for J2EE |
| Reference:Cactus is touted as testing tool in Rod Johnson's excellent One on One J2EE | ||
| Castor | Dev | provides data binding services using XML, SQL thru JDO |
| Reference:Castor gets nearly a full chapter in the excellent book on J2EE Insights. | ||
| Cewolf | Dev | add graphing and charting tags to JSP |
| Checkstyle | Dev | checks a Java program for conformance to style guidelines |
| Code Geneation Lib | Dev | adds dynamic runtime class/interface changes to Java |
| Columbia | App | full featured Java eMail client |
| Daffodil CRM | App | is a CRM-Customer Relationship Management application |
| DataVision | App | banded report writer (like Crystal) with visual designer |
| DBUnit | Dev | provides unit tests for Java database programs |
| DCZip | App | provides GUI Java Jar/Tar/War/Zip file handler |
| Dependency Finder | Dev | allows auto-finding complex dependencies in Java code |
| Derby, Apache | DBMS | Apache's name for IBM's pure Java Cloudscape database |
| DOM4J | Dev | provides DOM for Java |
| Reference:DOM4J usage is illustrated in the well rated book More Jakarta Pitfalls. | ||
| DrawSWF | App | a Java drawing program that produces SVG files |
| DrJava | Dev | development environ that supports interactive Java great for Java students |
| Drools | Dev | declarative programming framework for business rules in Java |
| Eclipse, IBM | Dev | an extensible development IDE for Java |
| Reference:Eclipse book & Java Eclipse +reviews at eWeek and ADTrends show uptick. | ||
| Eclipse Plugins | Dev | Very rich and diverse set of commercial and open/free Eclipse Plugins |
| EJB Benchmark | Dev | using MySQL or PostgreSQL to bench mark EJB strategies |
| Expresso | Dev | A popular set of J2EE components and tools |
| Flow4J | Dev | Eclipse plugin which models process flow & gens Java code |
| FrozenBubble | Game | Nifty Java GUI arcade-like game |
| Fulcrum | Dev | Java based services framework |
| Gantt Project | App | Java-based Gantt chart and project planning tool |
| Geronimo | Dev | Appache J2EE 1.4 App Server; to be certified by 3Q 2004 |
| GhostWriter | Game | one of a dozen delightful Java Web Start games |
| giANT | Dev | graphic interface diagrams for ANT scripts |
| Grinder, The | Dev | load testing framework that uses Jython |
| Groovy | Lang | variant and extension of Java which produces JVM bytecode |
| Groovy has Eclipse plugin, uses Java classes directly & Sun is using as model for Java 6, 7 | ||
| Hibernate | DBMS | persistence and object/relational mapping tool for Java |
| Reference:Hibernate get full treatment in good book on Java Open Source Programming | ||
| HSQLDB | DBMS | is the default Java database of JBoss |
| HTML Parser | Dev | a Java HTML parser easily extendable |
| HttpUnit | Dev | is JUnit extension for testing web sites |
| Infoglue | App | Java content management system |
| iReports | App | a report visual design tool used with Jasper |
| iText | Dev | Java library for generating PDF or HTML documents |
| J2MEPolish | Dev | J2ME Polish adds GUI style to PDA |
| JabRef | App | a biblio reference database application in Java |
| JAF, Sun | Dev | JavaBean Activation Framework for manipulating MIME data |
| JAI, Sun | Dev | is the Java Advanced Imaging API |
| Jakarta Commons | Dev | a common set of Java utilities and routines |
| James, Apache | App | a Java-based eMail server |
| Jasper | Dev | a JSP compiler used in Tomcat and other OS Java software |
| Reference:Jasper gets fair coverage in the book Mastering Tomcat | ||
| JasperReports | App | a Java based reportwriter using XML templates |
| JavaCC, Sun | Dev | A Java parser/Compiler-Compiler with many grammars |
| JavaGroups | Dev | multi-cast group implementation in Java |
| JavaHelp, Sun | App | Java based help syste with DocBook support |
| JavaMail, Sun | Dev | API used to create, send and get mail messages in Java |
| Java NetBrowser | App | Java Netwprk browser supports HTTP, FTP, NFS, SMB, etc |
| Javassist | Dev | like BCEL, a runtime JVM code modifier |
| JavaServiceWrapper | Dev | a Java restart enabler for various server-side services |
| Jaxen | Dev | a Java Xpath engine which supports JDOM, dom4j |
| JBidwatcher | App | an Ebay, Yahoo auction site bid tracking tool |
| JBoss | Dev | a certified J2EE 1.4 server which links to many databases |
| Reference:JBoss has several books but the best appears to be One on One J2EE. | ||
| jBpm | App | a Java workflow mgmt system with automated control |
| JContainer | Dev | has 5 frameworks or templates for J2EE and Java development |
| JCS, Apache | Dev | a distributed caching engine for server performance boost |
| JDepend | Dev | creates metrics for measuring Java source code |
| JDOM | Dev | DOM API for acessing XML thru Java |
| Reference:Rusty Heralds's book on XML with Java also covers DOM and JDOM implementations | ||
| jEdit | App | a Java source editor written in Java |
| Jelly | Dev | a tool to convert XML templates into code |
| JetSpeed, Apache | App | is a portal server developed with Java, XML |
| JFlex | Dev | is a lexical analyzer generator for Java |
| JFreechart | Dev | free charting and graphing API |
| JGraph | Dev | powerful, lightweight graph component for Java |
| JGraphT | Dev | Java routines for Graph and network Theory problems |
| JGPDesigner | App | Java Graphical Process Designer produces BPM diagrams |
| Jikes | Lang | alternate to Sun's java as compiler, fairly fast |
| JMeter, Apache | Dev | Java-based performance and load testing tool |
| JML | Dev | Java Modeling Language for design by contract coding |
| jMock | Dev | Java objects testing framework |
| JModeler | Dev | Java Model/Flowcharting component; quite novel |
| JMRI | Game | Java Model Railroad Interface for hobbyists,DeccoderPro, |
| JMT | Dev | Java Measurement tool; customizable heuristics |
| JMX-MC4J | Dev | Java Management Extensions - Management console |
| JOGRE | Game | Java Online Gaming Real-time Engine is nice design, just emerging |
| Jonas | Dev | Objectweb's J2EE App Server with range of features |
| Joone | App | Java Neural Net test and train framework |
| JPOX | Dev | Java Persistent Objects framework using JDO |
| jRegisterKey | Dev | an API that allows access, updates of Windows Registry |
| JRobin | DBMS | Java Round Robin Database implementation with graphics |
| Jsfcomp | Dev | Java server faces components for web and portal systems |
| JSTL, Apache | Dev | JSP Standard tag Library |
| JTDS | DBMS | JDBC driver for SQL Server |
| JTOpen | Dev | is a set of open Java classes for using iSeries, AS/400 resources |
| JudoScript | Lang | cool Java/JavaScript scripting language for use with JDBC |
| JUnit | Dev | the Java unit testing tool |
| Reference:JUnit has several good books like JUnit Guide and JUnit in Action | ||
| Jython | Lang | Java implementation of Python scripting that emits JVM bytecode and runs cross platform- Win, Mac, Linux, etc. |
| Reference:Jython has momentum, 2 books Jython for Java & Jython Essentials show why. | ||
| Limsee | App | very powerful Java multimedia tool; must see! |
| Lint4j | Dev | a Java code analyzer for trapping threading, locking issues |
| Log4J, Apache | Dev | a good Java logging toolkit used by JBoss, etc |
| Lucene, Apache | Dev | a Java-based searh engine |
| Marauroa | Game | a Java game client which works with Arianne |
| Maven, Apache | Dev | a program project co-ordinator, lots of features |
| Reference:This Maven book actually covers a wide variety of Java tools: XDoclet, Junit, etc | ||
| Mevenide | Dev | makers of Eclipse, JBuilder and NetBeans plugins for Maven |
| MegaMek | Game | Java based network board game 2++ palyers |
| Merlin, Apache | App | a service and component management framework for Java |
| MiddleGen | Dev | a Java code generator used by JBoss, etc |
| Minesweeper | Game | Java version of the desjktop classic |
| Mondrian | DBMS | an OLAP engine written in Java, uses MDX, XMLforA, JOLAP |
| MySQLConnectorJ | DBMS | JDBC connector to MySQL |
| Netbeans, Sun | Dev | a very good, free, open source Java IDE |
| Reference:NetBeans has improved dramatically; see book NetBeans Guide and Review. | ||
| NetBeans Plugins | Dev | NetBeans is gathering more plugins as it supports C/C++, Java, JS, Python, etc. |
| DaffodilDB | DBMS | is a enterprise caliber database support SQL 99, JDBC 3.0, J2EE |
| OpenEJB | Dev | a modular, configurable, and extendable EJB Server like JBoss |
| OpenForBiz | App | General retail busines application software written in Java |
| OpenReports | App | uses Jasper for web-based reporting in PDF, HTML or XLS |
| OpenWFE | App | an Open Workflow Engine for Java with web interface, XML |
| PDFBox | Dev | a PDF library for Java; access all components of a PDF |
| PHP/HTML Plugin | Dev | PHP/HTML plugin for Eclipse adds parser, debugger, viewer |
| PMD | Dev | a Java source code analyzer, Lint-like and many plugins |
| Profiler | Dev | an Eclipse plugin that profiles Java code |
| ProGuard | Dev | a Java class file shrinker and obfuscator |
| Pygmy | App | a tiny, 40KB Java web server , very customizable |
| Quartz | Dev | enterprise job scheduler for Java and J2EE apps |
| Replicator, Daffodil | DBMS | is a database replicator and synchronization tool. |
| Retroweaver | Dev | translates new 1.5 JVM to 1.4 compatible JVM bytecode |
| Roller | App | a Java-based weblogger using Tomcat, MySQL |
| Risk | Game | for those never bored with Risk, here is the place to go |
| RSSOwl | App | a Java RSS newsreader with browser & multi-export options |
| Saxon | Dev | a Java XSLTand Xpath procesoor |
| Reference:Michael Kay's book XSLT+XPath book is straight from the developer of Saxon | ||
| Scarab | Dev | a bug tracking system written in Java |
| Scripting for XML | Lang | a nifty scripting language for XML with a mini IDE |
| Seppia | Lang | a scriptingshell combining Java and JavaScript |
| SOFIA | Dev | RAD tool set for J2EE and database driven applications |
| Spring Framework | Dev | J2EE framework using AOP, JDBC, and Hibernate |
| Squirrel SQL Viewer | DBMS | a Java-based SQL database viewer |
| Struts, Apache | Dev | a Servlet and JSP web application framework |
| Reference:Struts, as this review & several books(best Struts tome) attest, is doing well. | ||
| Struts Menu | Dev | a Struts JSP menu creator with XML definition files |
| Tiles, Apache | Dev | a set of JSP taglibs, used by Struts, etc |
| Tomcat, Apache | Dev | the major free, open source Java Servlet and JSP server |
| Mastering Tomcat tells all about this excellent Servlet and JSP server. | ||
| TripleA | Game | |
| Turbine, Apache | Dev | great servlet based development framework for Java |
| UDDI4J | Dev | provides a Java API to interact with Web Services UDDI |
| UMLet | Dev | another Java UML diagrammer with emphasis on UseCase |
| Velocity | Dev | an alternative to JSP |
| VeryQuickWiki | App | a Java based Wiki bulletin board |
| Xalan, Apache | Lang | Java-based XSLT processor |
| X-Diff | Dev | a Java-based XML file differencer |
| XDoclet | Dev | translates special Java comments into EJB deploy files etc |
| Xerces | Dev | another Java-based XML parser |
| XMLWrite | App | a smart XML editor with XPath, SVG, XHTML templates |
| XNap | App | P2Pclient written in Java; supports Gnutella,gFT,IRC, ICQ, |
| XPlanner | App | project planning and tracking tool in Java, JSP, MySQL |
| XStream | Dev | simple, elegant Java class to XML to Java class serializer |
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