First of all, Oracle’s Weblogic platform and Apache’s Tomcat are the two most widely used Java application servers. Both servers handle development and production. However, how do you realize which is the right platform for you?
The key difference between Tomcat and Weblogic is that Tomcat is a web server and servlet container, while Weblogic is an application server. The two products have completely different purposes.
Shall we start with Tomcat vs Weblogic – What’s the Difference? (Pros and Cons).
What is Tomcat?
Firstly, a Tomcat is a web container that runs on the server and hosts Java servlet containers. An open source server platform for use in enterprise applications. This includes online systems, intranet sites, and Web applications. The project’s name is derived from “Tom,” as in Tom the cat, and “cat,” representing the web container that Tomcat runs inside.
Secondly, Tomcat is the industry standard web server. It hosts Java Server Pages (JSPs) and Java Server Faces (JSFs) applications on the Internet and intranets. Also use Tomcat to serve static content and run Servlet containers.
Thirdly, Tomcat serves Java Servlets, Java Server Pages, Java Message Service, Java Client certificates, and JavaBeans applications. The web container also includes security support for basic and digest authentication. You do it through mod_authz_core, which lets you configure one way and two way SSL encryption in an easy manner.
Let’s not forget, Apache Software Foundation (ASF) is behind the development of Tomcat. It includes an HTTP server and utilities for development and deployment.
Tomcat is an open source software execution of the Java Server Pages technologies and Java Servlet. Servlets and Java Server Pages are web server components you use to generate dynamic web content.
Tomcat runs Java applets, servlets, and JSPs through the Apache HTTP Server. It is a platform independent Java HTTP server that supports many application frameworks, like Spring, Hibernate, and GWT.
The software supports request/response handling and multiple types of connections, such as TLS, HTTP, and AJP. Tomcat’s servlets run on a Java EE compliant application server. You configure it with XML files or Java code on the fly when you deploy the Web application to the server.
Pros and Cons
Mainly, you use Tomcat for generic HTTP applications, but the tool is also perfect for rendering dynamic content, such as interactive web pages. There are a lot of ways to compare Apache Tomcat to Apache HTTP Server, but the key difference is that Tomcat provides dynamic content using Java based logic. On the other hand, Apache HTTP Server’s main goal is simply serving up static content, such as HTML, text, images, and audio.
Additionally, Apache Tomcat works for installing different enterprise level Java specifications such as JavaServer Pages, Java Servlets, websites API, and more. Certainly, you access web server data anywhere from around the world. Tomcat works at the core, and Java Server Pages and servlets generate the dynamic pages.
Pros of Tomcat
- Smooth integration with Apache web server.
- Easy to combine data sources.
- Simple and quick deployment of Java applications.
- Easy configuration and execution.
- Multiple applications can run at the same time without any issues.
- Excellent built in features.
Cons of Tomcat
- Apache Tomcat is less robust than its competitors.
- Since the interface is basic, it allows for limited configuration.
- When Tomcat deals with complex and larger applications, it is more prone to crashes, memory leaks, and failures.
- There are limitations in Tomcat’s cluster level support.
What is Weblogic?
Weblogic is a web based enterprise application server. It controls the entire IT infrastructure and provides web services to other enterprise applications. Also, Weblogic includes a full featured Java EE server environment and comprehensive support for stand alone Java applications and XML DCOM/CORBA remote objects.
As an enterprise application server, Weblogic is an integrated software platform. Another benefit of this application, is that it integrates web applications into a single software system. Basically, Weblogic lets you create and use business applications across multiple servers and browsers.
Integrate different business processes across multiple servers to rapidly develop complex distributed Web applications, using the same development tools you use for local applications.
Besides, Weblogic is an enterprise application server that provides Java EE application hosting, reporting, and monitoring. It also allows data integration and real time web applications. In other words, this tool is designed to ease the development of highly concurrent, scalable, and reliable distributed applications. The software is generally configured by a group of administrators who are responsible for its overall function.
Certainly, Weblogic is a high performance server platform that runs on Oracle’s Sun™ Enterprise Suite. It enables you to develop and deploy any Java application, including custom applications based on the Oracle database. As noted, Weblogic session gateways is secure and accelerate your applications, while the Weblogic server’s modularity allows you to tailor your environment to optimize performance and reduce cost.
Pros and Cons
Simply put, the Weblogic is a web and application server used to build, deploy, and run web applications and Java EE applications. You can task Oracle Weblogic servers by providing the platform to build and deploy distributed, multi tiered business applications. Weblogic servers implement technologies such as connection pools and caching to leverage development resources alongside the performance of applications.
Oracle Weblogic server is a highly scalable platform that combines the ability to develop, install, and execute business applications, such as Java, on the cloud and for on premises deployment. Additionally, it helps to centralize app services such as web server functions, enterprise modules, and access to enterprise backend schemes. The server acts as the middleman for other applications, business suites, and hardware devices that you must include in a data flow for a business.
Equally, Weblogic has extensive capabilities to build and manage servers, as well as to deploy de clusters. The Weblogic application server suites of Java SE minimize latency in applications. It also provides high performance application clustering together with fault tolerance capabilities.
Weblogic 12c is the Oracle Java EE application server, offering developers a comprehensive toolkit for easy creation. It also includes the deployment and management of applications across multi platform environments.
Pros of Weblogic
- Dashboard in Weblogic allows you to control applications and check the status of each application.
- The server allows you to define various aspects of data source entry. This includes forming multiple particular connections to facilitate data entry.
- Weblogic application server eases the usage periods in the production and development of business applications.
- You can easily activate built in diagnostic modules for the server instances.
- There is a robust clustering framework to balance the load on the server instances.
Cons of Weblogic
- The admin console could be more user friendly.
- Domain replication is a difficult task. It requires extensive knowledge and scripting efforts.
- The license cost is not suitable for small businesses.
- Deployment, at times, is a problem. After numerous deployments, the server usually needs a restore.
The main part of the article Tomcat vs Weblogic – What’s the Difference? is the comparison of two solutions. Find it below.
Tomcat vs Weblogic - Comparison Table
| Tomcat | Weblogic | |
|---|---|---|
|
Scope |
Tomcat supports Java Server Pages and servlet based web applications. It can also be used as an HTTP server. |
Apart from being a web server, Weblogic has multiple features. It handles distributed naming, HTTP services, transaction management, session handling, and lookup services. |
|
License |
You can use Tomcat for free commercial usage. It is free and open sourced. |
Weblogic is not free commercially, and you require purchasing the license to use it. |
|
Owner |
Tomcat is the property of Apache Software Foundation. |
Oracle Corporation owns Weblogic. |
|
Supported Features |
Tomcat does not support Enterprise Java Beans. |
Weblogic supports Enterprise Java Beans. |
|
Type of Server |
Tomcat is a web server. |
Weblogic is an application server. |
|
Transaction Management |
Tomcat is not capable of handling transaction management. |
Weblogic can handle transaction management. |
|
Package |
Tomcat support multiple open source applications and specifications. |
Weblogic is a part of the Fusion Middleware package of the Oracle family. |
|
Flexibility |
Tomcat is flexible for small businesses where pricing is an important parameter. |
Weblogic is not suitable for small businesses because of the price factor. It depends on project cost and other requirements. |
Tomcat vs Weblogic - The Key Differences
Both, Oracle Weblogic and Tomcat are two of the most important open source Java EE application servers. We explore the differences between Tomcat v Oracle Weblogic to determine whether or not one platform is right for your project.
Since, Tomcat and Weblogic have similar features, however, there are considerable dissimilarities between them. This section explains what exactly are the differences between Tomcat and Weblogic.
Instance
Tomcat
The main difference between Tomcat and Weblogic is that Tomcat provides many of the server features that most web developers need. This includes servlet, session, JDBC support, and HTTP caching. Tomcat is a Java based web server and used to run servlets.
Weblogic
The Oracle Weblogic is an application server framework. It allows users to deploy large websites and applications through its support for clustering.
Weblogic is a also based on Java and designed to run JSPs and other JavaServer Pages applications.
Popularity
Tomcat
Evidently, Apache Tomcat is used by small businesses and have fewer users compared to Weblogic. It is only used to deploy the HTTP based applications. This software is popular for users and developers who does not afford to pay license cost.
Weblogic
Another very popular tool, when compared to Apache Tomcat. Many big organizations use this software for deploying business logic and web applications. It is popular for users who want to achieve high performance and stablity.
Installation
Tomcat
Installation in Apache Tomcat is very simple and easier. You can install it easily on any VPS or Dedicated server. Any beginner user installs it easily by downloading and following on screen instruction.
Weblogic
Installing Weblogic is harder task compared to Tomcat. Setting up a Weblogic instance involves installing multiple server components on one machine, which can be time consuming.
Performance
Tomcat
Following, Apache Tomcat has very poor performance compared to Weblogic. It does not provides JDK version updates and other features update take a longer time. However, it allow us to define the Connection pool and thread pool to increase system performance and availability.
Weblogic
Likewise, Oracle Weblogic Server has a very good performance. It also provides JDK version and new features updates. Designed for security, performance and features in mind.
Support
Tomcat
There are plenty of documentation available so no vendor training is required. Support contract is not needed as well.
Weblogic
The Oracle weblogic support is not great sometimes. They take a long time and need a lot of data over and over to resolve issues.
License
Tomcat
License cost with Apache Tomcat is free and open source software, maintained by large number of community. The Apache Software Foundation is now maintaining this software. Supports different free applications. The software is designed for small companies and anyone can use it for commercial purposes.
Weblogic
Oracle Weblogic is a commercial application. You will need to buy the license to use this software for commercial purposes. Oracle corporation has develop this software. It is suitable for large-scale industrial applications.
Features
Tomcat
Weblogic
The Oracle Weblogic is an application server that supports Enterprise Java Beans. It is capable for session handling, lookup services, distributed naming, session handling and more. Weblogic also has many other features that make it more valuable to developers and organizations than Tomcat.
Integration
Tomcat
Weblogic
Oracle Weblogic is primarily designed to run applications written in Java and other object oriented languages. You can use it with Glassfish, the Enterprise Weblogic Server, or BEA Weblogic Containers in combination with Oracle’s Weblogic Application Server (WLAS) and JavaServer Faces technology.
Thank you for reading Tomcat vs Weblogic – What’s the Difference? We will conclude this article now.
Tomcat vs Weblogic - What’s the Difference? Conclusion
Summarizing, both Tomcat and Weblogic successfully achieve the same goals but with different benefits and disadvantages. On one side, Tomcat is used for high availability because of its clustering nature. But it takes more time to reconfigure the cluster when you want to move it from one server to another. On the other hand, Weblogic has faster reconfiguration times, which can be really useful for testing purposes.
In terms of functionality, both Weblogic and Tomcat have similar characteristics. Both offer pluggable containers, high availability, and scalability. Also, transparent configurations and deployment of new versions. The main differences between the two are regarding the OS kernel on which they are based. Their architecture is different, their underlying servlet engine is different, and their default port number is different.
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