What is the Difference Between EJB and JavaBeans

The main difference between EJB and Java Beans is that the EJB is a server-side software component that encapsulates the business logic of an application while JavaBeans are classes that encapsulates multiple objects into a single object that helps to create reusable software components for Java.

Java is a popular programming language used in software development. It helps in developing secure, robust, scalable, and distributed applications. EJB and JavaBeans are related to Java. In overall, EJB is a Java API, while JavaBeans are Java classes.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is EJB
-Definition, Functionality
2. What is JavaBeans
– Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between EJB and JavaBeans
Comparison of key differences

Key Terms

EJB, Java, JavaBeans  

Difference Between EJB and JavaBeans - Comparison Summary

What is EJB

EJB or Enterprise Java Beans is a Java API. It provides the architecture to develop and deploy enterprise level applications. Further, the developers can build scalable, robust applications using EJB.

Difference Between EJB and JavaBeans

However, to execute an EJB application, there should be an application server (EJB container). JBoss, Glassfish, Weblogic and Websphere are some examples of such application servers. And, these servers manage transactions and manages security.

Types of EJB

There are three types of EJB. They are as follows.

Session Bean –  It contains data of a specific user for a single session. Session Bean destroys when the user session ends.

Message Driven Bean – It contains the business logic, and it is invoked by message passing. Message Driven Beans can consume Java Messaging Service (JMS) messages from external entities to perform the task. 

Entity Bean – It represents persistent data storage. Entity beans help to store user data into the database. Those data can be retrieved later.

Moreover, EJB provides multiple advantages. It allows large scale enterprise level application development. That is; as the application server provides services to manage the transaction, handle exceptions and persistence mechanism, the programmer can concern about developing the business logic of the application. However, the EJB applications highly rely on the application server. Furthermore, EJB applications are complex to understand and develop.

What is JavaBeans

JavaBeans are Java class. Its functionalities are available in the java.beans package. The main use of it is to develop models in JSP web page development.

Main Differences - EJB vs JavaBeans

Moreover, JavaBean has the following properties.

  • Do not contain argument constructor.
  • Serializable.
  • It has the methods to set and get values of the properties (getter and setter methods).

Also, we can consider JavaBean as a reusable software component that encapsulates multiple objects into a single object.

Some features of Java Beans are as follows.

Introspection – It is the process of analyzing a Bean to determine its capabilities. It allows another application to obtain information about a component.

Properties – A property is a subset of a Bean’s state. The values assigned to the properties help to identify the behavior of a component. Also, it is possible to set a value using a setter method while the getter method helps to obtain a value.

Customization – It provides a guide for a process to use the component in a specific context.

Persistence – It helps to save the current state of a Bean such as values of Bean’s properties, instance variables etc.

Furthermore, JavaBeans provide multiple advantages. Primarily, another application can use the properties and methods of a Bean. Also, it can register to receive events from other objects and can generate events that are sent to those other objects. However, it is difficult to create getters and setters when there are many properties. Besides, the zero-argument constructor can cause an invalid state.

Difference Between EJB and JavaBeans

Definition

EJB is a Java API that allows modular construction of enterprise software. JavaBeans are classes that encapsulate many objects into a single object. Thus, this is the main difference between EJB and JavaBeans.

Requirement

Also, another important difference between EJB and JavaBeans is that the EJB requires an application server or EJB container to run EJB applications. On the hand, JavaBeans should be serializable, have a zero-argument constructor and allow access to properties using getter and setter methods.

Complexity

Moreover, EJB is complex than JavaBeans. JavaBeans is simpler than EJB.

Usage

Importantly, with EJB, the programmer can concentrate on the business logic as the application server manages services such as transactions and exception handling. Whereas, JavaBeans allow another application to use properties and methods of the Bean.

Conclusion

In summary, the main difference between EJB and JavaBeans is that the EJB is a server-side software component that encapsulates the business logic of applications while JavaBeans are classes that encapsulates multiple objects into a single object that helps to create reusable software components for Java. In brief, EJB is a Java API while JavaBeans are Java classes.

References:

1.“What Is EJB – Javatpoint.” Www.javatpoint.com, Available here.
2.“Enterprise JavaBeans.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2019, Available here.
3.“Java Bean – Javatpoint.” Www.javatpoint.com, Available here.
4.“JavaBeans.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Apr. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1.”Ejb” CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons Wikimedia
2.”A diagram of the JSP Model 2 architecture.” By Libertyernie2 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Lithmee

Lithmee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering and is reading for her Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is passionate about sharing her knowldge in the areas of programming, data science, and computer systems.

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