Which One Should We Use in Spring Boot Project? Discover the Differences in Model Mapper & Map Struct?

Choosing between ModelMapper and MapStruct for mapping between DTOs and entities in a Spring Boot application largely depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here’s a comparison to help you decide which might be the best fit for your project:

ModelMapper

Advantages:

1. Ease of Use: ModelMapper is easy to set up and use. It offers a flexible and intuitive API for configuring mappings, especially for simple use cases.
2. Dynamic Mapping: It allows for runtime mapping, which means you can configure and adjust mappings dynamically at runtime. This can be useful for applications with highly dynamic or complex mapping requirements.
3. Convention over Configuration: ModelMapper tries to automatically map fields that have matching names and types, reducing the amount of manual configuration required.
4. Custom Converters: You can define custom converters for more complex mappings that go beyond simple field-to-field copying.

Disadvantages:

1. Performance: Since ModelMapper performs mapping at runtime, it can be slower compared to compile-time solutions, especially for large-scale applications or when dealing with a large number of mappings.
2. Less Control: While dynamic mapping is flexible, it can be less predictable and harder to debug compared to compile-time solutions.

MapStruct

Advantages:

1. Compile-Time Mapping: MapStruct generates mapping code at compile time, which results in better performance compared to runtime mapping libraries. This also allows for more type-safe and error-checked mappings.
2. Explicit Configuration: MapStruct requires explicit mapping definitions, which can lead to more predictable and maintainable code, as mappings are clearly defined in interfaces.
3. Advanced Features: MapStruct supports advanced features such as nested mappings, custom mapping methods, and more, making it suitable for complex scenarios.
4. Integration with Spring: MapStruct integrates well with Spring and can be used with dependency injection in a straightforward manner.

Disadvantages:

1. Learning Curve: The setup and configuration for MapStruct might be more complex initially, especially if you have to configure advanced mappings.
2. Code Generation: Requires a build tool (like Maven or Gradle) to generate the mapping code, which adds a build

step to your development process. Any changes to mappings require a rebuild to see updates.

Choosing Between ModelMapper and MapStruct

• Use ModelMapper if:
• You need a quick and flexible solution with minimal configuration.
• Your mapping needs are relatively straightforward or involve dynamic conditions.
• You prefer a runtime solution with the ability to adjust mappings without rebuilding the project.
• Use MapStruct if:
• You have complex mappings that benefit from compile-time safety and performance.
• You want to leverage advanced mapping features and ensure type safety.
• Performance is a critical concern, especially for large-scale applications or scenarios with many mappings.

Example Use Cases

• ModelMapper Example:

ModelMapper modelMapper = new ModelMapper();
UserDTO userDTO = modelMapper.map(user, UserDTO.class);

• MapStruct Example:

@Mapper
public interface UserMapper {
    UserDTO toDTO(User user);
    User toEntity(UserDTO userDTO);
}

Ultimately, the choice depends on your project’s requirements and constraints. If you prioritize performance and maintainability and can handle a slightly steeper learning curve, MapStruct might be the better option. If you prefer ease of use and flexibility, ModelMapper could be the right fit.

I hope it will be useful for you.

if you are interested, please read; The Importance of the DTO Concept in Spring Boot

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