Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

Have you used XSLT? JSP? Well, then you can pretty much hit the ground running using Velocity. I am no expert, but I have implemented a few medium-sized web applications using Velocity, and I have very few issues with it.

Velocity syntax feels very much like simplified XSLT syntax, but using Java Beans instead of XML. Also, Velocity integrates with Struts as seamlessly as JSP does.

I am not going to discuss MVC, Model 2, or anything like that, cause if you are interested in Velocity, you know all that stuff.

Here are the reasons I like this technology:

1. Using Velocity for the view layer in your webapp results in very compact 'templates' and eliminates any need for duplicated HTML.

2. Any HTML developer with half a brain can spend 30 minutes with an application developer and be relatively proficient with Velocity.

3. You do not have to explicitly pull objects off the HTTPSession.

4. Velocity uses reflection to cast references automagically for you. (this works very nicely for frameworks ;)

5. It is simple to use, and allows developers to quickly crank out pages!

Anyone interested in Velocity should go find out more at the Apache Jakarta site listed below.   Apache Jakarta Project - Velocity