Spring vs. Spring Boot

Attribute	Spring	Spring Boot
Framework Type	Full-fledged application framework	Microservices framework
Configuration	XML-based configuration	Annotation-based configuration
Project Setup	Requires manual setup and configuration	Convention over configuration, auto-configuration
Dependency Management	Requires explicit dependency management	Dependency management handled by Spring Boot Starter dependencies
Embedded Server	Requires manual configuration of server	Embedded server (Tomcat, Jetty, Undertow) auto-configured
Monitoring and Metrics	Requires additional setup for monitoring and metrics	Actuator provides monitoring and metrics out of the box

Introduction

Spring and Spring Boot are two popular Java frameworks used for building enterprise applications. While both frameworks are based on the Spring framework, they have some key differences in terms of features, ease of use, and configuration. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Spring and Spring Boot to help developers choose the right framework for their projects.

Overview

Spring is a comprehensive framework that provides support for various functionalities such as dependency injection, aspect-oriented programming, and transaction management. It follows the principle of Inversion of Control (IoC) and promotes loose coupling between components. Spring Boot, on the other hand, is a micro-framework built on top of the Spring framework. It aims to simplify the development of Spring applications by providing a set of pre-configured defaults and conventions.

Configuration

One of the main differences between Spring and Spring Boot is the configuration. In Spring, developers need to configure the application using XML or Java-based configuration classes. This can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially for large projects. In contrast, Spring Boot uses convention over configuration, which means that developers can get started with minimal configuration. Spring Boot auto-configures many aspects of the application, such as database connections, logging, and security.

Dependency Management

Another key difference between Spring and Spring Boot is the way they handle dependencies. In Spring, developers need to manually manage dependencies using tools like Maven or Gradle. This can be challenging, especially when dealing with complex dependency graphs. Spring Boot simplifies dependency management by providing a set of starter dependencies that include all the necessary libraries for common tasks. Developers can easily add or remove dependencies by including or excluding starter dependencies in the project.

Embedded Servers

Spring Boot comes with embedded servers such as Tomcat, Jetty, and Undertow, which allow developers to run the application as a standalone JAR file. This eliminates the need for deploying the application to an external server, making it easier to develop and test applications locally. In contrast, Spring does not provide embedded servers out of the box, so developers need to deploy the application to a separate server for testing and production.

Actuators

Spring Boot includes a set of built-in actuators that provide insight into the application's health, metrics, and other useful information. Actuators can be used to monitor the application, troubleshoot issues, and gather performance data. In Spring, developers need to manually configure and integrate monitoring tools to achieve similar functionality. The built-in actuators in Spring Boot make it easier to manage and monitor applications without additional configuration.

Community Support

Both Spring and Spring Boot have strong community support with active forums, documentation, and tutorials. Developers can find answers to their questions, share knowledge, and collaborate with other developers in the community. The Spring community is larger and more established, with a wealth of resources available for developers. Spring Boot, being a newer framework, has a growing community that is focused on simplifying the development process and providing best practices for building Spring applications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Spring and Spring Boot are both powerful frameworks for building Java applications. While Spring provides more flexibility and customization options, Spring Boot offers simplicity and ease of use. Developers should consider their project requirements, familiarity with the frameworks, and development preferences when choosing between Spring and Spring Boot. Ultimately, both frameworks have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice between them depends on the specific needs of the project.