README.adoc

= Awesome Java Annotation Processing :toc: :toc-placement!:

Java Annotation Processing (defined by https://jcp.org/en/jsr/detail?id=269[JSR 269]) is a standardized API for hooking into the Java compiler, allowing you to validate the code under compilation and generate additional (source or byte) code. This https://github.com/topics/awesome-list[Awesome List] aims at providing an overview of helpful resources around that API, including existing useful annotation processors, related presentations and blog posts, implementation best practices etc.

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== Existing Annotation Processors

Existing annotation processors for different purposes

• https://github.com/avaje/avaje-inject[avaje-inject] - Compile-time dependency injection library.
• https://github.com/avaje/avaje-jsonb[avaje-jsonb] - JSON mapping using generated source code
• https://github.com/avaje/avaje-http[avaje-http] - Generates adapter code for Javalin and Helidon SE/Nima from JAX-RS style controllers.
• https://github.com/Pante/chimera[chimera] - Compile-time static analysis and generation of commands for Spigot plugins.
• https://github.com/dekorateio/dekorate[dekorate] - Generates manifests for Kubernetes/OpenShift.
• https://google.github.io/dagger/[Dagger] - Compile-time dependency injection framework for both Java and Android.
• https://github.com/derive4j/derive4j[derive4j] - Java 8 annotation processor and framework for deriving algebraic data types constructors, pattern-matching, folds, optics and typeclasses.
• https://github.com/DominoKit/domino-jackson[domino-jackson] - Generates Jackson based JSON mappers where the same mapper can be used on the JVM/android or GWT client Javascript code.
• https://github.com/DominoKit/domino-rest[domino-rest] - Generates rest clients from JaxRs compatible interfaces.
• https://github.com/misberner/duzzt[Duzzt] - Duzzt - Annotation-based Embedded DSL Generator for Java.
• https://github.com/google/auto[Google Auto] - A collection of source code generators for Java.
• https://github.com/google/error-prone[Google Error Prone] - A static analysis tool for Java that catches common programming mistakes at compile-time.
• https://github.com/LachlanMcKee/gsonpath[Gson Path] - A Java annotation processor library which generates gson type adapters using basic JsonPath style annotations.
• http://docs.jboss.org/hibernate/stable/validator/reference/en-US/html_single/#validator-annotation-processor[Hibernate Validator annotation processor] - Compile-time checking of Bean Validation constraints.
• https://github.com/xmolecules/jmolecules-integrations/tree/main/jmolecules-apt[jMolecules annotation processor] - Verifies rules attached to https://github.com/xmolecules/jmolecules[jMolecules] concepts.
• https://docs.jboss.org/hibernate/orm/current/topical/html_single/metamodelgen/MetamodelGenerator.html[JPA Static Metamodel Generator] - Creates JPA 2 static metamodel classes.
• https://immutables.github.io/[Immutables] - Java annotation processors to generate simple, safe and consistent value objects.
• https://github.com/openjdk/jmh[JMH Generator] - Generates Java Microbenchmark Harness (JMH) benchmarks.
• https://github.com/jbock-java/jbock[jbock] - Generates command line parsers.
• https://github.com/jstachio/jstachio[jstachio] - A typesafe Java Mustache templating engine that compiles templates into readable Java code.
• https://github.com/bowbahdoe/magic-bean[Magic Bean] - A very basic library which will generate POJOs.
• http://mapstruct.org/[MapStruct] - Compile-time generator for type-safe bean-to-bean mapping code.
• https://micronaut.io[Micronaut] - A modern full-stack framework for building modular, easily testable microservice and serverless applications.
• https://github.com/almogtavor/pojo-analyzer[Pojo Analyzer] - A library enables looping over POJOs' fields or access them by their names, and retreive their getters & setters.
• https://github.com/Randgalt/record-builder[Record Builder] - Adds Builders and Withers for Java Records (added in Java 16).
• https://github.com/sundrio/sundrio[Sundrio] - A collection of apt-based code generating tools, including advanced builder generator, dsl generator, velocity transformer and etc.
• https://github.com/civitz/viper[Viper] - A generator and a framework for injecting configurations via the java EE's CDI. Put all your configuration keys in an enum, and make viper inject the configurations in your beans.
• https://github.com/cleopatra27/chocotea[chocotea] - Generates postman collection, environment and integration tests from Java code.
• https://github.com/cuzfrog/sharedtype[sharedtype] - Generates type information from Java source code to Typescript, Rust, Go, and more.

=== Android

Annotation processors specific to Android development

• https://github.com/JakeWharton/butterknife[Butter Knife] - Bind Android views and callbacks to fields and methods.
• https://github.com/johncarl81/parceler[Parceler] - Android Parcelables made easy through code generation.

== Useful Tools

Useful tools and libraries for implementing annotation processors

• https://velocity.apache.org[Apache Velocity] - A Java-based template engine
• https://github.com/toolisticon/aptk[APTK] - A toolbox that helps you to build annotation processors in a more efficient way.
• https://github.com/avaje/avaje-prisms[Avaje Prisms] - A JDK 11 fork of Hickory with some minor enhancements.
• https://github.com/google/compile-testing[Compile Testing] - Testing tools for javac and annotation processors.
• https://github.com/ascopes/java-compiler-testing[Java Compiler Testing] - Library for integration testing annotation processors against javac. Supports testing packages and JPMS modules, uses in-memory file systems, and includes integrations with Junit5 and AssertJ.
• https://github.com/toolisticon/cute[CUTE] - Testing tools for javac and annotation processors. Allows unit and black box testing.
• https://github.com/Pante/elementary[Elementary] - A suite of JUnit 5 extensions that provides a real annotation processing environment during testing
• https://github.com/square/javapoet[JavaPoet] - A Java API for generating .java source files.
• https://javadoc.io/static/com.jolira/hickory/1.0.0/net/java/dev/hickory/prism/package-summary.html[Hickory] - An annotation processor for generating "prisms", allowing to access known annotation types without class references; https://mvnrepository.com/artifact/com.jolira/hickory/1.0.0[Maven coordinates], https://github.com/vietj/hickory[fork repo] (There is no official source repo existing)

== Slide Decks and Recordings

• https://speakerdeck.com/rharter/at-eliminate-boilerplate-1[@Eliminate("Boilerplate")]
• https://jakewharton.com/annotation-processing-boilerplate-destruction-square-waterloo/[Annotation Processing Boilerplate Destruction]
• https://www.slideshare.net/raphaelbrugier/quickie-annotationsprocessordevoxxfr2015[Annotation Processor, trésor caché de la JVM] (French)
• https://github.com/fbiville/annotation-processing-ftw[Annotation Processing Hands-on Labs, Devoxx France 2015] (French)
• https://de.slideshare.net/deors/javaone-2017-con3282-code-generation-with-annotation-processors-state-of-the-art-in-java-9[Code Generation with Annotation Processors: State of the Art in Java 9]
• https://speakerdeck.com/gunnarmorling/das-annotation-processing-api-use-cases-und-best-practices[Das Annotation Processing API - Use Cases und Best Practices] (German)

== Blog Posts and Articles

• http://hannesdorfmann.com/annotation-processing/annotationprocessing101[Annotation Processing 101]
• https://medium.com/@iammert/annotation-processing-dont-repeat-yourself-generate-your-code-8425e60c6657[Annotation Processing : Don’t Repeat Yourself, Generate Your Code.]
• https://blog.jooq.org/2018/12/07/how-to-unit-test-your-annotation-processor-using-joor/[How to Unit Test Your Annotation Processor using jOOR]
• https://jax.de/blog/core-java-jvm-languages/java-annotation-processing-das-koennte-auch-ein-computer-erledigen/[Java Annotation Processing: Das könnte auch ein Computer erledigen] (German)
• https://www.baeldung.com/java-annotation-processing-builder[Java Annotation Processing and Creating a Builder]
• https://dzone.com/articles/the-problem-with-annotation-processors[The Problem with Annotation Processors]
• https://medium.com/androidiots/writing-your-own-annotation-processors-in-android-1fa0cd96ef11[Writing your own Annotation Processors in Android]
• https://deors.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/annotation-types[Code Generation using Annotation Processors in the Java language]

== Related Concepts

APIs and tools going beyond what's doable with JSR 269

• http://spoon.gforge.inria.fr/[Spoon] - Source Code Analysis and Transformation for Java (allows for AST modifications, too)
• https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/jdk/api/javac/tree/com/sun/source/util/Plugin.html[javac Plug-in API] (allows for full AST inspection)
• https://projectlombok.org/[Project Lombok] - Generates boilerplate Java code like getters/setters and equals/hashCode methods.