What is Spring Boot?
The open source framework Spring reduces the complexity of Java programming. According to the motto “convention before configuration”, the Spring Boot tool aims to further simplify the development of enterprise applications in Java.
In 2003, Spring, an open source framework was developed that provides developers with a ready-to-use basic framework to simplify programming. To make this possible, Spring reduces the complexity of the standard Java specification and the component model Enterprise JavaBeans .
New Spring projects can be developed in a very simplified manner using Spring Boot, a configuration convention. The result is a framework that is ideally suited for Java applications that do not have to be reprogrammed from the first line of code. For long-time users and beginners alike, Spring Boot opens up many possibilities to work more efficiently. Accordingly, a large number of new spring programs are now relying on Spring Boot.
Spring boot in practice
Entry into new projects can be made much easier with basic configurations, the definition of usage guidelines for the framework and relevant third-party libraries. This is exactly what Spring Boot delivers for Spring applications. Independent and production-ready applications can be written much faster, since manual configuration is no longer necessary.
The Spring Initializer offers the simple selection of web frameworks, messaging, databases , cloud software and many other dependencies. Usually, the creation of a Spring application begins with the manual editing of several XML files for the configuration, which is not necessary with Spring Boot. Spring Boot has proven to be particularly useful for smaller microservices .
This is made possible by suggested “starters” that already contain predefined configurations for various purposes. The basis for Spring Boot is the design principle of convention before configuration. Independently executable applications can be developed simply by adhering to common conventions, without manual configuration being necessary.
Reduced complexity, increased user-friendliness
In practice, Spring Boot is characterized by a list of features that make the high functionality of Spring possible even without your own XML configuration. Which includes:
- Easy creation of stand-alone Spring applications
- Elimination of web application archives (WAR files) through direct embedding of container and web server applications
- Starter Project Object Models (POMs) simplify Maven configuration
- Non-functional features (e.g. outsourced configurations) can be provided
- Spring configuration and third party libraries can be automated
- Elimination of code generation and XML configuration
The history and operation of Spring Boot
Even though Spring Boot was only released in 2012, Pivotal Team’s development began in 2005 – just two years after Spring. With time and the growing experience in the Spring Framework, Spring Boot could also be adapted and thus better respond to the requirements of the users.
The composition of around 20 basic modules of the initial framework and the possibility of putting them together according to the wishes and requirements enables a particular flexibility. This makes Spring and Spring Boot neither a dedicated framework for desktop applications nor for web applications. In fact, Spring does pretty much anything.
The Java Development Kit version 8 (or newer) and a current version of the Spring framework are required to use Spring Boot . Both Maven (3.3. Or newer) or Gradle (4.4 or newer) can be used as a build tool. ApacheTomcat, Jetty or Undertow are available for integrating web servers. Here, too, users have a lot of flexibility.
The first step is the Spring Initializer, a web service for creating a finished project template in a very easy-to-use web form. The configurations include, for example, the choice of the builder, the choice of language and the relevant dependencies; the project file is then simply created with one click.
Spring Boot doesn’t just simplify micro services
Spring Boot is actually essential for developing Spring applications today. Unlike Groovy or Spring Roo, Spring Boot can enable you to start programming quickly and flexibly at the same time. The creation of the dependencies by the starter is not forced by Spring Boot and can be resolved again if necessary.
Even if Spring Boot is often referred to as a framework for microservices, the “Opinionated Framework” is capable of significantly more. Functions-as-a-Service or modular monoliths can be written with it equally. The reduction in complexity at the beginning should therefore in no way represent a hurdle for the final application. Simplicity in programming does not necessarily mean a simple program, but above all an efficiently written one.
