Java builders

So it’s time to scrutinize a builder pattern. There are bunch of options to implement builder pattern in Java:

• classic builder;
• elegant builder;
• classic builder with IntelliJ IDEA plugin;
• Google AutoValue builder;
• Project Lombok builder;
• POJO builder;
• Immutables builder.

All of these variants have been examined in Java builders GitHub project.

The winners are (and this a tough IMHO):

• IDEA InnerBuilder plugin if you use builder class from frameworks like Spring/Spring MVC or Play. You can’t pass validation annotations to generated class. Despite everything if there is a way to do this I’ll be happy to mistake.
• Immutables.org builder in all other cases. It’s features rich and generates beautiful code.

But do not forget about AutoValue because it’s backed by Google itself.