Which framework is better CXF or Spring-WS? [closed]

Answer 1

CXF does not, in any way, prevent you from starting with a contract (WSDL). I used both of these products to build a web service.

In CXF, I used Maven and the Maven plugin, calling the wsimport goal to generate the SEI (interface) which I then implemented. After implementing the interface to contain the actual service logic and configuring my bean implementation beans.xml, I then let Maven package it into a war file for deployment. The entire exercise could not have been easier.

I don't think Spring-WS offers any advantages that outweigh the lack of JAX-WS. CXF already lets you use Spring to wire up your beans and also has a full implementation of JAX-WS as well.

Answer 2

Please take a look at a related post at : Building a web service with Spring-WS

Answer 3

About Apache CXF:

• CXF supports several standards including SOAP, the WSI Basic Profile, WSDL, WS-Addressing, WS-Policy, WS-ReliableMessaging, WS-Security, WS-SecurityPolicy, and WS-SecureConversation.
• Apache CXF offers both contract-last (starting with Java) and Contract-first (starting with the WSDL) approaches.
• Apache CXF implements JAX-WS and JAX-RS.

About Spring WS:

• Spring WS offers "only" contract-first, starting from an XSD Schema.
• Spring WS supports SOAP, WS-Security, WS-Addressing.

So, at the end, I see Spring WS as a minimal web services framework but consider that it doesn't (in my opinion) have any advantages over Apache CXF (which integrates extremely well with Spring). Between both, I'd pick up Apache CXF.

Answer 4

I think the biggest difference is Spring-WS is only 'contract-first' whilst I believe CXF is normally 'contract-last'.

http://static.springsource.org/spring-ws/sites/1.5/reference/html/why-contract-first.html

Contract-last starts with Java code, so it is usually easier to get started with.

However, the WSDL it creates tends to be more fragile.

Answer 5

Another option to consider in this comparison is Enunciate.

Especially if you like to start with Java first.

Answer 6

We have an experience with CXF and it's predecessor XFire and I can recommend it as solid, quick (WS creating and executing) and reliable framework.

Regarding the issues that you can met with CXF see my post https://stackoverflow.com/questions/289977/recommended-framework-for-java-web-services#290205 And I agree with toolkit, that the biggest difference between frameworks are ideologically: what is the first code (i.e. interface) or contract (i.e. wsdl). See some details here:

• Best Practices in Spring Web Services and Java
• Spring WS Tutorial
• What's New in Spring Web Services 1.5.