Java has maintained its status as a top-tier programming language in terms of adaptability since its debut. In most nations where it is available, it is the most googled technology. About one-fifth of all Java search results (22.4% of the total) are returned in such queries.
The library support for Java is extensive and robust. One of the most important things to look for in a seasoned Java developer is their familiarity with the application programming interface (API), including the Java Development Kit (JDK) and third-party libraries. Developers must be aware of the libraries and APIs used in a project if a business owner is looking to recruit.
If you want to explore the options, this blog covers the most popular libraries used for Java programming across several areas.
Overview of Java Library
Java libraries are sets of pre-written code that coders can use to make their work easier and complete certain tasks more efficiently. Common programming tasks, including reading and writing files, setting up network connectivity, and analyzing data, are handled by these libraries' classes, methods, and interfaces. Java libraries allow developers to avoid writing these features from the ground up, which saves them time and effort.
Standard or third-party libraries can be used with Java. An essential component of the Java programming language, the standard libraries are part of the Java Development Kit (JDK). Popular and easily accessible libraries, such as Java.lang, Java.util, and java.io, provide developers with a wealth of functionality.
In contrast, other organizations or individual developers create and maintain third-party libraries. Data processing, logging, and testing are just a few examples of the specialized features that they frequently highlight.
The Java Libraries Every Developer Should Know About
Some libraries have become essential tools for developers in the ever-changing Java environment, while others have seen their popularity decline with time. Now that we're discussing the popular ones, let's take a look at the top Java libraries that are still influential in 2025.
1. Apache Commons
Apache Commons continues to be an essential library for many purposes. Modules for input/output (I/O), text manipulation (TM), and mathematical functions (MF) are among the many reusable Java components it provides. Thanks to its dependability and adaptability, the library has become an industry standard for Java programming. Commons IO has a lot of features that simplify your life as a developer, especially when dealing with Files.
2. Apache HTTPComponents
One of the most popular and widely utilized Application-Layer protocols is HTTP. Although the Java Standard Library lacks several features of HTTP handling, Apache has provided a comprehensive set of Java components centered around HTTP through Apache HTTPComponents. In addition to its core module, which allows users to create their own HTTP clients or servers, the Apache HTTPComponents library offers a number of value-added modules, such as an Asynchronous HTTP Client, to add functionality to the base library. Among the top Java libraries for dealing with HTTP and related protocols, it is without a doubt.
3. Google Guava
Guava offers utilities for collections, caching, and string manipulation, and it is well-known for its extensive features. Similar to Apache's Commons, Guava is a collection of tools designed to simplify development. Developers still love Guava because of its extensive capabilities, which go beyond what you'd find in the regular Java libraries. In a single library, Guava encompasses all the tools that Google's Java engineers depend on. There are a lot of useful tools for things like text manipulation, caching, and collections. The extensive use of Guava can be attributed, in part, to its optimized performance and well-designed API.
4. Jackson
A library for quickly processing JSON that makes it easy to serialize and translate Java objects to JSON. For Java programs, Jackson is still the go-to library for object mapping and JSON processing. Its reputation as the "best JSON parser for Java" is based on its accuracy, speed, and lightweight construction. The fact that Jackson can process a wide variety of data types, not only JSON, is one of its selling points.
5. JUnit
A crucial framework for unit testing that facilitates the quick creation and execution of tests by developers. You can say that JUnit is the most important Java unit testing framework. Its popularity is based on the fact that it is easy to use and has robust capabilities that make unit testing effective for developers. JUnit is a crucial component of contemporary Java development techniques due to its compatibility with build tools and CI/CD pipelines.
6. AssertJ
Among the testing libraries on this list is AssertJ. In testing, checking if the actual outcome matches the predicted one is a key component. With AssertJ, you get a wealth of assertions, error messages that are both informative and easy to understand, and better readability in your test code. To put it simply, it is user-friendly. The basic API of AssertJ makes it a popular choice among assertion libraries. In addition to being very modular, it provides all the essential features in its core module and some additional features in its other modules.
7. Log4j 2
A logging library with enhanced speed and powerful filtering features that has seen widespread use. Application monitoring and debugging rely heavily on logging, and Log4j 2 maintains its position as the industry leader in this space. It is an improvement on the original Log4j and comes with new features, including faster processing, better filtering, and support for more output formats. It is the go-to logging solution for a lot of Java developers because of how flexible and strong it is.
8. Mockito
It is a well-liked framework for simulating objects that is employed in unit testing. When it comes to mocking frameworks, Mockito is still the one that Java developers trust the most. The ability to create test duplicate objects is made possible by its simple and clear API, which makes it a useful tool for behavior-driven and test-driven development. The fact that Mockito has been named the top mocking framework on StackOverflow just adds to its already substantial fan base.
9. HTTP Libraries
Java developers can't do without HttpClient anymore, due to the meteoric rise of web services and application programming interfaces. With its adaptable API, you can make HTTP requests using either the HTTP/1.1 or HTTP/2 protocols. Since Java 11, it has been much more widely used due to its incorporation into the Java standard library.
Similar to Jackson, Gson is a tool that can convert Java objects to JSON and back again. It is noted for its easy handling of JSON data. When it comes to streaming (de)serialization, Jackson is far superior to Gson, which acts at the document level.
10. Lombok
A library that generates standard code patterns using annotations, thus reducing boilerplate code. The capacity of Lombok to decrease boilerplate code has led to its considerable popularity. It improves readability and decreases development time by automatically generating common code patterns using annotations. Developers who are trying to simplify their coding process love it because of how well it integrates with integrated development environments (IDEs) and build tools.
11. Hibernate
For object-relational mapping (ORM), Hibernate ORM is a top Java library. It came out in April of 2020. It includes a foundation for object-relational mapping and supports two popular database query languages, HQL (Hibernate Query Language) and SQL. Java classes can be mapped to database tables with the help of Hibernate. It saves developers a ton of time and effort since it is data-independent, meaning that one section of code can function on all databases.
While Hibernate has made its name mostly in object relationship management (ORM) for SQL databases, it has also branched out into NoSQL databases. Hibernate is likewise modular, with a core module and several modules based on functionality.
12. MyBatis
Another well-liked ORM package is MyBatis, which was previously called iBatis. Many Java developers continue to use it, and it is currently being actively developed. Among its many useful features are optimistic locking, logical deletion, transaction nesting, and more. For configuration, it may use basic XML or annotations; for mapping, it can utilize map primitives and interfaces; and for database records, it can use Java POJOs (Plain Old Java Objects).
13. Spring Framework
Spring Framework is not really a library in traditional terms, but its extensive infrastructure support makes it a popular choice for developing corporate applications.
The capacity to increase productivity, simplify complicated processes, and maintain high-quality code standards makes these libraries popular among developers. These libraries' appeal is fueled by their capacity to address common development issues, boost productivity, and uphold code quality. Adapting and expanding as Java evolves, these libraries provide developers with strong tools to build programs that are resilient, efficient, and easy to maintain.
14. XStream
This is another simple Java tool that is used to send and receive objects as strings in XML or JSON. It can be found on GitHub as an open-source project. XStream can serialize object graphs at runtime because it employs reflection to learn their structure. Objects need not be altered for this. In addition to supporting both public and private classes, it can serialize internal fields (both private and final). The fact that it is regularly updated and has Google backing makes it a top Java library for JSON.
15. JAXB
Another popular data format that provides more stringent validation, storage, and transfer of data is XML, which is similar to JSON. Java 8 included new features that were previously available in the Java Standard Library, such as data binding and XML support. The XML processing features were relocated from the Standard Java library to a new library named JAXB with the release of Java 9.
When it comes to working with XML in Java, JAXB has you covered. It offers a common way to convert XML into Java code. Additionally, it incorporates data binding based on annotations. Just so you know, JAXB is the way to go if you're still dealing with XML.
How to Download Java Libraries?
The procedures to acquire Java libraries are as follows:
- Choose the library that will be necessary for your project. Popular Java libraries often have official websites, GitHub repositories, or project documentation that you can peruse for more information.
- Maven Central Repository and similar package managers provide access to a large number of Java libraries. These platforms allow you to search for the library.
- In the project configuration file, you can add the library as a dependency through a build tool such as Maven, Gradle, or Apache Ant.
- The library's source code or JAR file can be downloaded from the repository's "Releases" area if it's available on GitHub.
- The JAR file can be added to your project's building path in the IDE settings if you're using Eclipse or IntelliJ IDEA, for example.
- It is possible to test the library's installation after incorporating it by importing its classes into your code. After adding the library, your integrated development environment should not display any issues.
Final Remarks
In the ever-changing world of Java programming, these libraries are like magic wands; they make coding fun and easy. Spring streamlines the construction of complicated corporate applications, RxJava's reactive approach changes the game for asynchronous programming, and Gson simply converts Java objects to JSON.
Developers must make a thoughtful selection based on their project needs, as each library offers distinct characteristics. When it comes to handling asynchronous operations, RxJava revolutionizes the game, Spring enables enterprise-level apps, and Gson is great for manipulating JSON. You can consider above above-discussed libraries as your trusty sidekicks when you explore the wild world of Java programming.
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