Difference between JAX-WS, Axis2 and CXF

java

web-development

best-practices

performance

byAnton Shumikhin·Feb 4, 2025

Distill the essence of JAX-WS, Axis2, and CXF in the context of Java web services:

JAX-WS: It's the built-in method in Java for creating SOAP web services, emphasizing simplicity and ease of use.
Axis2: The heavyweight from Apache offering comprehensive SOAP features and strong support for WS- standards*.
CXF: It's like the Swiss army knife of web services, merging the best of JAX-WS and JAX-RS and handling both SOAP and REST services.

Here are quick code snippets for each:

JAX-WS service:

// Who said helloService? Was that you? Hello, there!
@WebService
public class HelloService {
    @WebMethod 
    public String sayHello(String name) {
        // Just adding a friendly greeting!
        return "Hello, " + name; 
    }
}

For Axis2, WSDD files (Web Services Deployment Descriptors) are used for configuring services.

CXF differs by exposing a single service via both SOAP and REST:

// Here comes the Swiss-army knife of services, literally! 
@WebService @Path("/Hello")
public class HelloService {
    @WebMethod @GET @Path("/sayHello")
    public Response sayHello(@QueryParam("name") String name) {
        // Hey REST, SOAP called. They want their ease of use back.
        return Response.ok("Hello, " + name).build();
    }
}

Dive deeper: Choosing the right framework and adapting to evolving standards

Decision on web service framework

In assessing JAX-WS, Axis2, and CXF, your project's specific needs are paramount. Each framework has its distinct strengths and potential drawbacks.

If ease of adoption and standard adherence are priorities, JAX-WS, with its Java EE attachment, should be on your radar.
Axis2 offers comprehensive support for WS- specifications*, but do consider its comparatively less active development.
If your project treasures flexibility and appreciates the strengths of both SOAP and REST in a cohesive package, CXF is your pick.

Adapting to evolving standards

Web service standards have evolved over time. JAX-WS is a product of this evolution, succeeding JAX-RPC and aligning with advancements in Java, up to Java EE 1.6. This evolution is crucial for ensuring interoperability between Java and .Net services using standard specifications like BP 1.1.

Assessing framework capabilities and community support

Unique capabilities

CXF offers a myriad of features including compliant implementations of SOAP/JMS, exception handling, and supports for both REST and SOAP services.

While Axis2 has its strengths in supporting advanced SOAP features and WS-* specs, less frequent updates might be a crucial point when moving forward with it.

Fine-tuning your selection

Integration and performance

CXF stands out with exceptional Spring support, making it a solid option when integrating with applications on Spring ecosystem.

Performance-wise, both CXF and JAX-WS are known for their efficiency and low overhead during web service calls processing.

Ease of use and learning curve

With Java EE alignment, JAX-WS promises an easy learning curve. On the other hand, Axis2 might require more effort to master but offers great configurability in return.

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