Best server-side framework for heavy AJAX Java application

Question

There are zillions of Java web application frameworks.

95% were designed before the modern era of AJAX/DHTML-based development, and that means these new methods are

Answer 1

I like the combination of JBoss Seam and Richfaces, especially with the JBoss tools that are extentions to Eclipse - makes building these sort of RIA's incredibly easy.

Wikipedia contains some useful comparisons:

Comparison of JavaScript frameworks List of AJAX Frameworks

Your choice depends on several different factors including whether you want the "work" done client-side (most javascript frameworks) or server-side (echo2 etc.). Other things worth looking at are tools like OpenLaszlo that provide Flash (I think) out of the box, but drop back to DHTML if there is no Flash player present.

Unfortunately I think the decision comes down to balancing several competing cocerns. Check out the comparisons and try them out - most come with online demo's for you to try.