Identify the best Java library for source code generation. about bull

[polarene]

Let's include also Roaster to the candidates.
I would rule out JavaParser since it does too much (it's also a parser, analyzer, and transformer), and has a bad API.

[fborriello]

Let’s also keep an eye on their dependencies, we have to avoid conflict issues in the applications that hosts BULL

[polarene]

Following are some considerations on the canditate libs.
I'll start with the negative factors first of those I'd like to rule out:

JavaParser

• does too much: it's a parser, analyzer, transformer other than a generator.
• Focusing on code generation, it doesn't seem to have a nice API.

CodeGen

• has only 2 contributors, last release is from 2017
• given example shows a nice API but doesn't show all the features: maybe it's less powerful than the other libs

Talking instead about positive factors these are the favorites:

JavaPoet

• fluent and powerful API
• extensive feature set (including Javadoc and formatting)
• many contributors, stars and forks
• not actively developed at the moment but seems feature-complete

Roaster

• I had previous experience working with it
• nice API but seems inferior compared to JavaPoet
• fewer contributors than JavaPoet, but it's backed by the Jboss community

All considered I would choose JavaPoet.

[fborriello]

I do agree with you. If no one has concerns with this library we can go with JavaPoet.