The Apache Struts project is pleased to announce the availability of
the Struts 2.0.1 BETA release
[http://struts.apache.org/download.cgi#struts201].

Apache Struts 2 is an elegant, extensible framework, well suited for
enterprise-ready Java web applications. The framework is designed to
streamline the full development cycle, from building, to deploying, to
maintaining applications over time.

Apache Struts 2 was originally known as WebWork 2. After working
independently for several years, the WebWork and Struts communities
joined forces to create Struts2. This new version of Struts is simpler
to use and closer to how Struts was always meant to be.

* Build!
o Easy startup - A Maven archetype, template application, and
bootstrap tutorial help jumpstart new projects.
o Improved Design - All framework classes are based on interfaces.
Core interfaces are HTTP independent.
o Enhanced Results - Unlike ActionForwards, Struts2 Results can
actually help prepare the response.
o Enhanced Tags - Struts2 tags don't just output data, but provide
stylesheet-driven markup, so that we can create consistent pages with
less code.
o Stateful Checkboxes - Struts2 checkboxes do not require special
handling for false values.
o Easy cancel handling - The Struts2 Cancel button can go directly
to a different action.
o POJO forms - No more ActionForms! We can use any JavaBean we like
or put properties directly on our Action classes. No need to use all
String properties!
o POJO Actions - Any class can be used as an Action class. Even the
interface is optional!
o Easy Spring integration - Struts2 Actions are Spring-aware. Just
add Spring beans!
o First-class AJAX support - The AJAX theme gives interactive
applications a boost.

* Deploy!
o QuickStart - Configuration files are reloadable so many changes
can be made on the fly without restarting a web container.
o Easy plugins - Framework extensions can be added by dropping in a
JAR. No manual configuration required! Bundled plugins add support for
JavaServer Faces, JasperReports, JFreeChart, Tiles, and more ...
o Easy portlets - Automatic portlet support allows portal and
servlet deployments with no code changes.

* Maintain!
o Easy-to-test Actions - Struts2 Actions are HTTP independent and
can be tested without resorting to mock objects.
o Intelligent Defaults - Most framework configuration elements have
a default value that we can set and forget.
o Easy-to-customize controller - Struts 1 lets us customize the
request processor per module, Struts2 lets us customize the request
handling per action, if desired.
o Easy-to-tweak tags - Struts2 tag markup can be altered by changing
an underlying stylesheet. Individual tag markup can be changed by
editing a FreeMarker template. No need to grok the taglib API! JSP,
FreeMarker, and Velocity tags are fully supported.
o Integrating Debugging - Built-in debugging tools supporting
profiling, problem reports, and interactive object model queries.

For more, visit the Apache Struts 2 website [http://struts.apache.org/2.x/].