Java - Which accounting module is best to embed in my JAVA application?

Question

I am developing a java application. I want to integrated some accounting module in my app. I don't want any feature-rich accounting module. I just want to maintain - salaries - expenses - generating invoices So do you know any FREE OPEN SOURCE accounting module so that I can integrate it with my app.

Answer 1

So without going into detail about WHY you would like an accounting module I'm going to have to make some assumptions. Accounting is a very broad term. The simple answer is not to suggest any particular solution but to point you to the thousands of options that are available and let you research your own preferred solution.

However, I've gone a bit further than the simplest answer and done a bit of research to get you started on your journey.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Solution 1: Use a Popular/Existing Solution

1. Many businesses currently use online solutions for their business needs these days.
2. CRM, ERP, and others normally provide full features accounting suites. There are too many to list here, try searching in Google for ERP solutions that are free.
3. You may be wondering what this has to do with Java or writing an application? The answer is that many of these online ERP/CRM solutions provide public APIs. An API is kinda like a public facing 'module' or library that the ERP/CRM creators have made available for other developers to hook into via the internet. If you go this route then your application would work a little differently. Your application would provide an interface for using the ERP/CRM platforms accounting services. I can't tell you if every platform allows you to pull data and display it in your app, the user may have to view the results in the platform rather than your application. This requires much more research to answer.

Solution 2: Use a True Open Source Library

1. I'm sure that a simple accounting 'module' or library exists but the places that I would search for this are crowding the results.
2. I can direct you to where I would search for such a thing and then you can try and whittle down the results or it might just take days of looking into each result.
3. The first place I would search for such a thing is Github. If you're not familiar, Github is a place where developers can host their repositories free of charge for the most part. Many FOSS and open source projects are hosted there. Simply head to Github.com and search for 'accounting'.
4. Another place you could try searching is the Maven repository. Maven is a popular build tool and also hosts an online central module repository. The issue with searching Maven directly is that it can be difficult to browse the central repository as one would browse a Google search for instance. However, it's not out of the realm of possibility that you may find what you're looking for this way. The only thing I would warn you of if you go this route, and it's important to do this, is to check the usage rights of any module or repository you plan on using and make sure it's available for use freely in a commercial project (A development project that you plan on making money with).

Solution 3: The Defeatist Stance, Use an Existing Solution

1. Accounting is a very broad topic and the idea of streamlining the accounting landscape via a software solution has come to many a developer.
2. That's not to say that you don't have a novel idea or need for an accounting module, only that there may be a reason for there not being a simple accounting module available.
3. It might be that 'accounting' is too broad. You may have an easier time finding modules for topics under the 'accounting' banner. A tax prep module might be easier to find than an accounting module for instance.

I hope this helps you with your search. I love development and especially starting new projects so I hope my answer isn't unnecessarily pessimistic. Truly, my intent is not to dissuade you from developing your intended application but to give you options that may help narrow your search. Good luck!