Grails Development for Rapid JVM Web Applications
Develop web apps on the JVM with Grails’ Groovy syntax, GORM for database access, and Spring Boot integration that cuts boilerplate while using the Java ecosystem.
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Trusted and top rated tech team
Rapid web development on JVM infrastructure
Java web applications often require extensive boilerplate code and configuration, slowing development. Grails, built on Spring Boot, uses Groovy’s concise syntax and convention-over-configuration to reduce setup time while retaining access to Java libraries and JVM infrastructure. We work with CTOs managing Java platforms where Spring Boot’s complexity hinders delivery, but leaving JVM investments isn’t feasible.
Our capabilities include:
- Grails application development
- GORM database integration
- RESTful API development with Grails
- Spring Boot framework integration
- Legacy Java application modernization
- Groovy development and migration
Who we support
We work with organizations running JVM infrastructure where Grails’ convention-over-configuration accelerates web development while leveraging existing Java ecosystems and Spring Boot foundations.
Java Shops Reducing Boilerplate
Your Spring Boot applications require extensive configuration and annotation-heavy code. Development velocity suffers from Java verbosity, and developers spend more time on framework setup than business logic implementation.
Enterprises With Java Infrastructure
You maintain significant JVM investments including Java libraries, application servers, and developer expertise. New frameworks outside the JVM ecosystem mean retraining teams and abandoning infrastructure, but pure Java development is too slow.
SaaS Companies Scaling Java Apps
Your product roadmap demands rapid feature delivery but Spring Boot development cycles are long. Scaffolding and CRUD operations require manual implementation, and database access code dominates your codebase despite ORM frameworks.
Ways to engage
We offer a wide range of engagement models to meet our clients’ needs. From hourly consultation to fully managed solutions, our engagement models are designed to be flexible and customizable.
Staff Augmentation
Get access to on-demand product and engineering team talent that gives your company the flexibility to scale up and down as business needs ebb and flow.
Retainer Services
Retainers are perfect for companies that have a fully built product in maintenance mode. We'll give you peace of mind by keeping your software running, secure, and up to date.
Project Engagement
Project-based contracts that can range from small-scale audit and strategy sessions to more intricate replatforming or build from scratch initiatives.
We'll spec out a custom engagement model for you
Invested in creating success and defining new standards
At Curotec, we do more than deliver cutting-edge solutions — we build lasting partnerships. It’s the trust and collaboration we foster with our clients that make CEOs, CTOs, and CMOs consistently choose Curotec as their go-to partner.
Why choose Curotec for Grails development?
Grails adoption works best when teams understand Groovy’s dynamic features while maintaining Java interoperability. Our engineers design domain models with GORM, properly configure Spring Boot, and structure applications to ensure convention-over-configuration reduces complexity. This approach delivers rapid development benefits while preserving your existing JVM platform investments.
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Extraordinary people, exceptional outcomes
Our outstanding team represents our greatest asset. With business acumen, we translate objectives into solutions. Intellectual agility drives efficient software development problem-solving. Superior communication ensures seamless teamwork integration.
2
Deep technical expertise
We don’t claim to be experts in every framework and language. Instead, we focus on the tech ecosystems in which we excel, selecting engagements that align with our competencies for optimal results. Moreover, we offer pre-developed components and scaffolding to save you time and money.
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Balancing innovation with practicality
We stay ahead of industry trends and innovations, avoiding the hype of every new technology fad. Focusing on innovations with real commercial potential, we guide you through the ever-changing tech landscape, helping you embrace proven technologies and cutting-edge advancements.
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Flexibility in our approach
We offer a range of flexible working arrangements to meet your specific needs. Whether you prefer our end-to-end project delivery, embedding our experts within your teams, or consulting and retainer options, we have a solution designed to suit you.
Our Grails implementation expertise
GORM Database Integration
RESTful API Development
Spring Boot Integration
Groovy Development
Domain Model Design
Legacy Java Modernization
Tools & technologies for Grails applications
Grails Framework & Core
Our engineers use Grails core components and CLI tools for scaffolding, GORM persistence, and convention-based application structure.
- Grails Framework — Open-source web framework built on Spring Boot with convention-over-configuration, scaffolding, and integrated GORM for rapid JVM development
- Grails CLI — Command-line interface for creating applications, generating controllers, scaffolding domain classes, and running development servers
- GORM (Grails Object Relational Mapping) — Data access toolkit with domain class mapping, query DSL, and support for multiple database backends including SQL and NoSQL
- Groovy Server Pages (GSP) — Template engine for rendering HTML views with Groovy expressions, tag libraries, and layout composition for web interfaces
- Grails Plugins — Extension ecosystem providing security, REST APIs, asynchronous processing, and integration capabilities through modular plugin architecture
- Spring Security Plugin — Authentication and authorization framework for Grails with role-based access control, user management, and security annotations
Groovy Language & Libraries
Groovy libraries and language features enable concise syntax, dynamic typing, and metaprogramming that reduce boilerplate.
- Apache Groovy — Dynamic JVM language with concise syntax, optional typing, closures, and operator overloading that compiles to Java bytecode
- Spock Framework — Testing framework for Groovy with expressive specification syntax, data-driven testing, and mocking capabilities for unit and integration tests
- GPars — Concurrency library providing parallel collections, actors, dataflow, and fork-join abstractions for concurrent Groovy programming
- Groovy SQL — Database access library with simplified JDBC operations, named parameters, and result set handling for direct SQL execution
- Groovy Templates — Markup builder and template engines for generating XML, HTML, and JSON with programmatic structure creation
- Grape — Dependency management system embedded in Groovy for dynamically downloading and using Maven artifacts without build tool configuration
Spring Boot Integration
Curotec leverages Spring Boot features including dependency injection, security, and enterprise capabilities within Grails.
- Spring Boot — Foundation framework providing auto-configuration, embedded servers, and production-ready features that Grails extends with Groovy conventions
- Spring Framework — Dependency injection container, transaction management, and enterprise integration patterns accessible through Grails application context
- Spring Security — Authentication and authorization framework integrated through Grails plugin with declarative security and customizable authentication providers
- Spring Data — Repository abstractions and data access patterns that complement GORM for complex querying and pagination requirements
- Spring AOP — Aspect-oriented programming support for cross-cutting concerns like logging, caching, and transaction boundaries in Grails services
- Spring Actuator — Production monitoring endpoints providing health checks, metrics, and application diagnostics embedded in Grails applications
Database & ORM Tools
GORM implementations and database drivers handle persistence across relational and NoSQL databases with automated queries
- GORM for Hibernate — Default GORM implementation using Hibernate ORM for relational databases with automatic schema generation and query optimization
- GORM for MongoDB — NoSQL implementation providing domain class mapping to MongoDB collections with dynamic queries and embedded document support
- GORM for Neo4j — Graph database integration mapping Groovy domain classes to nodes and relationships with traversal and Cypher query support
- MySQL & PostgreSQL — Relational databases with JDBC drivers, connection pooling, and transaction support for production Grails deployments
- H2 Database — Embedded SQL database used for development and testing with in-memory mode and compatibility with production database syntax
- Liquibase — Database migration tool managing schema changes with version control, rollback capabilities, and automated deployment integration
Development & Testing Tools
Our developers use IDE plugins, testing frameworks, and debugging tools to streamline Grails application development.
- IntelliJ IDEA — JetBrains IDE with comprehensive Grails support including code completion, debugging, GORM navigation, and integrated test runners
- Visual Studio Code — Lightweight editor with Groovy extensions providing syntax highlighting, linting, and debugging capabilities for Grails development
- Spock Framework — BDD-style testing framework with expressive specifications, mocking, and parameterized tests for Grails unit and integration testing
- Geb — Browser automation tool built on Selenium WebDriver with Groovy DSL for functional testing of Grails web interfaces
- GrailsDoc — Documentation generation tool creating API documentation from Groovy code comments with cross-referenced class and method descriptions
- Code Narc — Static analysis tool for Groovy detecting code smells, style violations, and potential bugs with customizable rule configurations
Build & Deployment Platforms
Build automation and deployment tools compile Groovy code, manage dependencies, and deploy Grails applications to JVM platforms.
- Gradle — Build automation tool for compiling Groovy code, managing dependencies, running tests, and packaging Grails applications for deployment
- Apache Tomcat — Embedded servlet container included with Grails for running applications during development and production deployments
- Docker — Containerization platform for packaging Grails applications with JVM runtime and dependencies into portable deployment units
- Jenkins — CI/CD automation server with Gradle integration for building, testing, and deploying Grails applications through pipeline workflows
- AWS Elastic Beanstalk — Platform-as-a-service for deploying Grails applications with automatic scaling, load balancing, and health monitoring
- Heroku — Cloud platform supporting JVM applications with Git-based deployment, add-on services, and simplified Grails application hosting
FAQs about our Grails development services
How does Grails compare to Spring Boot?
Grails builds on Spring Boot, adding Groovy’s concise syntax, GORM for database access, and convention-over-configuration. Spring Boot offers more control but requires more code. Grails accelerates development for teams comfortable with conventions.
Can we use existing Java libraries with Grails?
Yes, Grails runs on the JVM and interoperates seamlessly with Java libraries. You can call Java code from Groovy, use Java dependencies through Gradle, and integrate existing Java services without modification.
How do you optimize Grails app performance?
We profile GORM queries to eliminate N+1 problems, implement caching strategies for domain objects, and optimize Groovy compilation. Performance tuning includes database indexing, connection pool configuration, and identifying bottlenecks in dynamic method resolution.
Does Grails scale for enterprise applications?
Yes, Grails inherits Spring Boot’s enterprise capabilities including connection pooling, caching, clustering, and distributed sessions. Applications scale horizontally with load balancers and handle millions of requests with proper infrastructure.
How quickly can your developers start contributing?
Our Grails engineers typically contribute production code within the first week. They’re familiar with GORM patterns, Spring Boot integration, and scaffolding that match rapid JVM development standards.
Can we migrate from Grails back to pure Java if needed?
Yes, Grails applications are Spring Boot applications at their core. Controllers, services, and domain logic can be converted to Java incrementally. GORM data access translates to standard JPA if needed.
Ready to have a conversation?
We’re here to discuss how we can partner, sharing our knowledge and experience for your product development needs. Get started driving your business forward.
