Prior to EJB, I have been using straight RMI objects, and managing
transactions myself using the commit/rollback functionality built-in to
JDBC. No app server was used. My middle tier consisted of a java runtime and
my own java classes. What I have been trying to clarify in my mind is, what
exactly does EJB add above and beyond what I'm currently using?

I understand, that EJB app server will provide container managed
transactions but, to be honest, typing commit() and rollback() myself is not
that time consuming. I can type commit and rollback 20 times in the amount
of time it takes me run my app server's deployment wizard.

I also understand that EBB app servers will bring me container managed
persistence. But I have found that this is not that great of a thing. First,
you still have to setup mapping between the database and your beans, which
is almost as time consuming as typing in the jdbc code yourself, and
proprietary (maybe CMP mapping is standardized in 1.1 XML deployment
descriptors ???). Second, most of my apps have rather complex joins and the
container managed persistence just won't work.

I also understand that EJB app servers will do some middle tier bean pooling
for me. But my RMI apps are using mostly stateless objects. The state is all
stored in the database. So what exactly is there to be pooled anyway, in a
stateless object?

I also understand that EJB app servers will manage security. But, again, I
let the database server handle all of the security for my app.

So here are my questions:

Q1: What exactly does EJB add above and beyond what I'm currently using (RMI
+ database transaction and database security)?
Q2: For an app that accesses only one database and won't ever have more than
say, 100, concurrent users, is there any reason to use EJB?
Q3: Is there any benefit of using EJB if all the participating resource
manager's don't support 2 phase commit? For instance, suppose I wanted to
update an LDAP server and a MySQL database (neither of which support
transactions, much less 2 PC). Would using EJB in this case bring any
benefits?

Thanks,

Dave

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