Top Related Projects
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Spring Framework
A programmer-oriented testing framework for Java.
Most popular Mocking framework for unit tests written in Java
Java (and original) version of Hamcrest
Quick Overview
Apache Commons Lang is a Java library that provides a set of utility classes for the java.lang API, addressing common programming tasks. It aims to enhance the standard Java libraries with additional functionality, making development more efficient and reducing boilerplate code.
Pros
- Comprehensive set of utility methods for string manipulation, object handling, and more
- Well-documented and maintained by the Apache Software Foundation
- Widely used and trusted in the Java ecosystem
- Compatible with various Java versions, including the latest releases
Cons
- May introduce unnecessary dependencies for projects that only need a small subset of its features
- Some utility methods might become redundant with newer Java versions
- Large library size, which could impact application size in resource-constrained environments
- Learning curve for developers unfamiliar with the library's extensive API
Code Examples
- String manipulation:
import org.apache.commons.lang3.StringUtils;
String result = StringUtils.capitalize("hello world");
// result: "Hello world"
- Object comparison:
import org.apache.commons.lang3.ObjectUtils;
String str1 = null;
String str2 = "Hello";
String result = ObjectUtils.defaultIfNull(str1, str2);
// result: "Hello"
- Random string generation:
import org.apache.commons.lang3.RandomStringUtils;
String randomAlphanumeric = RandomStringUtils.randomAlphanumeric(10);
// Example output: "a1B2c3D4e5"
Getting Started
To use Apache Commons Lang in your Java project, add the following dependency to your Maven pom.xml
file:
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.commons</groupId>
<artifactId>commons-lang3</artifactId>
<version>3.12.0</version>
</dependency>
For Gradle, add this to your build.gradle
file:
implementation 'org.apache.commons:commons-lang3:3.12.0'
After adding the dependency, you can start using the library in your Java code by importing the required classes:
import org.apache.commons.lang3.StringUtils;
import org.apache.commons.lang3.ObjectUtils;
// ... other imports as needed
public class Example {
public static void main(String[] args) {
String result = StringUtils.capitalize("hello world");
System.out.println(result);
}
}
Competitor Comparisons
Google core libraries for Java
Pros of Guava
- More comprehensive library with a wider range of utilities
- Better performance for certain operations, especially collections
- Active development with frequent updates and new features
Cons of Guava
- Larger dependency size, which may impact project footprint
- Steeper learning curve due to its extensive API
- Some features may overlap with standard Java libraries
Code Comparison
Commons Lang:
String result = StringUtils.capitalize("hello");
boolean isEmpty = StringUtils.isEmpty(myString);
Guava:
String result = CaseFormat.LOWER_CAMEL.to(CaseFormat.UPPER_CAMEL, "hello");
boolean isEmpty = Strings.isNullOrEmpty(myString);
Summary
Guava offers a more extensive set of utilities and often better performance, but comes with a larger footprint and potentially steeper learning curve. Commons Lang provides a simpler, more focused set of utilities that may be sufficient for many projects. The choice between the two depends on project requirements, performance needs, and developer familiarity with the libraries.
Spring Framework
Pros of Spring Framework
- Comprehensive ecosystem for building enterprise Java applications
- Extensive documentation and large community support
- Modular architecture allowing developers to use only needed components
Cons of Spring Framework
- Steeper learning curve due to its complexity and size
- Potentially heavier resource usage for smaller applications
- More configuration required compared to simpler libraries
Code Comparison
Spring Framework:
@RestController
public class HelloController {
@GetMapping("/hello")
public String hello() {
return "Hello, World!";
}
}
Commons Lang:
String result = StringUtils.capitalize("hello world");
System.out.println(result); // Output: "Hello world"
Summary
Spring Framework is a comprehensive Java application framework, offering a wide range of features for enterprise development. Commons Lang, on the other hand, is a focused utility library providing helper methods for Java core classes. Spring Framework excels in building complex applications but may be overkill for simpler projects. Commons Lang is lightweight and easy to integrate but lacks the extensive capabilities of Spring Framework. The choice between them depends on the project's scope and requirements.
A programmer-oriented testing framework for Java.
Pros of JUnit4
- Specialized for unit testing, providing a comprehensive framework for Java developers
- Extensive annotation support for test configuration and execution control
- Wide adoption and integration with popular IDEs and build tools
Cons of JUnit4
- More focused scope compared to Commons Lang's broader utility offerings
- Less frequent updates and maintenance as JUnit5 has become the primary focus
Code Comparison
JUnit4:
@Test
public void testAddition() {
assertEquals(4, Calculator.add(2, 2));
}
Commons Lang:
String result = StringUtils.capitalize("hello world");
Assert.assertEquals("Hello world", result);
Key Differences
- Purpose: JUnit4 is a testing framework, while Commons Lang is a utility library
- Scope: JUnit4 focuses on test creation and execution, Commons Lang provides general-purpose utility methods
- Usage: JUnit4 is primarily used in test code, Commons Lang is used throughout application code
Similarities
- Both are widely used Java libraries
- Open-source projects with active communities
- Designed to simplify common programming tasks in Java
Conclusion
While JUnit4 and Commons Lang serve different purposes, they are both valuable tools in a Java developer's toolkit. JUnit4 excels in testing scenarios, offering a robust framework for unit testing. Commons Lang, on the other hand, provides a broader set of utility methods for everyday programming tasks.
Most popular Mocking framework for unit tests written in Java
Pros of Mockito
- Specialized for mocking and testing, providing a more focused and comprehensive solution for unit testing
- More active development and frequent updates, ensuring better support for modern Java features
- Extensive documentation and a larger community, offering better resources for developers
Cons of Mockito
- Narrower scope, limited to mocking and testing functionality
- Steeper learning curve for beginners due to its specialized nature
- Potential for overuse of mocks, leading to brittle tests if not used carefully
Code Comparison
Commons Lang (utility method):
String result = StringUtils.capitalize("hello world");
Mockito (mocking example):
List mockedList = mock(List.class);
when(mockedList.get(0)).thenReturn("first");
assertEquals("first", mockedList.get(0));
Summary
Commons Lang is a general-purpose utility library, while Mockito is specifically designed for mocking in unit tests. Commons Lang offers a wide range of string manipulation and general utility functions, making it useful in various scenarios. Mockito, on the other hand, excels in creating mock objects for testing, providing a powerful toolset for writing and maintaining unit tests. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs of your project: general utility functions or specialized testing capabilities.
Java (and original) version of Hamcrest
Pros of JavaHamcrest
- Specialized for writing expressive and readable test assertions
- Provides a rich set of matchers for various data types and scenarios
- Integrates well with popular testing frameworks like JUnit
Cons of JavaHamcrest
- More focused on testing, less versatile for general-purpose utility functions
- Steeper learning curve for developers unfamiliar with matcher-based assertions
- Smaller community and fewer contributors compared to Commons Lang
Code Comparison
JavaHamcrest assertion:
assertThat(actualValue, is(equalTo(expectedValue)));
assertThat(collection, hasItem("element"));
Commons Lang utility method:
String reversed = StringUtils.reverse("hello");
boolean isBlank = StringUtils.isBlank(input);
Summary
JavaHamcrest is a specialized library for writing expressive test assertions, offering a wide range of matchers. It excels in creating readable and maintainable test code but has a narrower focus compared to Commons Lang.
Commons Lang, on the other hand, provides a broader set of utility functions for general Java development, including string manipulation, math operations, and more. It's more versatile for everyday coding tasks but lacks the specialized testing features of JavaHamcrest.
Choose JavaHamcrest for enhancing test readability and expressiveness, while Commons Lang is better suited for general-purpose utility functions across your entire codebase.
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Apache Commons Lang
Apache Commons Lang, a package of Java utility classes for the classes that are in java.lang's hierarchy, or are considered to be so standard as to justify existence in java.lang.
The code is tested using the latest revision of the JDK for supported LTS releases: 8, 11, 17 and 21 currently. See https://github.com/apache/commons-lang/blob/master/.github/workflows/maven.yml
Please ensure your build environment is up-to-date and kindly report any build issues.
Documentation
More information can be found on the Apache Commons Lang homepage. The Javadoc can be browsed. Questions related to the usage of Apache Commons Lang should be posted to the user mailing list.
Getting the latest release
You can download source and binaries from our download page.
Alternatively, you can pull it from the central Maven repositories:
<dependency>
<groupId>org.apache.commons</groupId>
<artifactId>commons-lang3</artifactId>
<version>3.17.0</version>
</dependency>
Building
Building requires a Java JDK and Apache Maven.
The required Java version is found in the pom.xml
as the maven.compiler.source
property.
From a command shell, run mvn
without arguments to invoke the default Maven goal to run all tests and checks.
Contributing
We accept Pull Requests via GitHub. The developer mailing list is the main channel of communication for contributors. There are some guidelines which will make applying PRs easier for us:
- No tabs! Please use spaces for indentation.
- Respect the existing code style for each file.
- Create minimal diffs - disable on save actions like reformat source code or organize imports. If you feel the source code should be reformatted create a separate PR for this change.
- Provide JUnit tests for your changes and make sure your changes don't break any existing tests by running
mvn
. - Before you pushing a PR, run
mvn
(by itself), this runs the default goal, which contains all build checks. - To see the code coverage report, regardless of coverage failures, run
mvn clean site -Dcommons.jacoco.haltOnFailure=false
If you plan to contribute on a regular basis, please consider filing a contributor license agreement. You can learn more about contributing via GitHub in our contribution guidelines.
License
This code is licensed under the Apache License v2.
See the NOTICE.txt
file for required notices and attributions.
Donating
You like Apache Commons Lang? Then donate back to the ASF to support development.
Additional Resources
- Apache Commons Homepage
- Apache Issue Tracker (JIRA)
- Apache Commons Slack Channel
- Apache Commons Twitter Account
Apache Commons Components
Please see the list of components
Top Related Projects
Google core libraries for Java
Spring Framework
A programmer-oriented testing framework for Java.
Most popular Mocking framework for unit tests written in Java
Java (and original) version of Hamcrest
Convert designs to code with AI
Introducing Visual Copilot: A new AI model to turn Figma designs to high quality code using your components.
Try Visual Copilot