If you are serious about Java, it is good to know what the Spring Framework is and why it is one of the main frameworks in Java. The development of Java frameworks is essentially a continuous evolution. Developers want them to be simple, flexible, and scalable.

Java developers originally built applications using Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE) tools. These applications depended on servers and JSP (JavaServer Pages) for development. Over time, various frameworks emerged, such as Struts, JSF, and Spring, which addressed the limitations of Java EE itself. Among them, Spring gained popularity due to its flexibility and modularity.

Spring Framework became widely used because it offered a vast set of tools and modules. Whether developers needed to build web applications, manage batch processing, or integrate databases, Spring had a dedicated module for each purpose.

Spring MVC: Ideal for creating web applications

Spring Batch: Designed for batch processing tasks

Spring ORM: Simplifies integration with ORM tools like Hibernate

This modularity made Spring highly versatile. However, there was one major drawback: extensive configuration.

Although the Spring Framework allowed developers to integrate various modules and frameworks easily, it came at a cost. Developers had to deal with extensive configurations, especially when using XML configuration files.

• Adding the Spring Core module to a project required specific XML configurations

• Using Spring MVC for web development required additional configurations

• Integrating third-party libraries, such as Hibernate for ORM, required even more settings

This configuration-heavy approach became a burden, particularly in larger projects with complex setups. Even though Spring was often called the “framework of frameworks” due to its ability to integrate other frameworks, its configuration requirements often slowed down development and added complexity.

To address these issues, the creators of the Spring Framework introduced Spring Boot, which is an abstraction layer on top of the Spring Framework. The goal of Spring Boot was to simplify the development process by minimizing the need for manual configurations.

Simply put, Spring Boot is a framework built on top of the Spring Framework. It makes developers’ lives easier by offering:

• Automatic configuration: Most settings are predefined and configured automatically

• Embedded servers: Built-in servers such as Tomcat or Jetty allow applications to run independently without external server configurations

• Simplified dependency management: Spring Boot’s “starter” dependencies contain everything needed for specific tasks, eliminating the need for manual library additions

With Spring Boot, developers no longer need to manually configure every module or library they add. For example:

• Adding Spring MVC? Basic configurations are already included

• Integrating Hibernate? The framework automatically sets up ORM

• Need a web server? Spring Boot provides a built-in server by default

This way, it removes most of the repetitive configuration work, allowing developers to focus on what truly matters: business logic.

Spring Boot takes care of the essential setup, freeing developers from writing and managing extensive XML or annotation-based configurations.

Thanks to automatic configuration and embedded servers, developers can set up and launch projects much faster.

Spring Boot simplifies setup but does not limit flexibility. Developers can customize configurations based on the specific requirements of their project.

Spring Boot provides built-in tools for monitoring, metrics, and health checks, making deployment and maintenance of production applications easier.

Spring Boot is widely used across industries and supported by a robust community of developers. This ensures continuous updates, extensive documentation, and plenty of learning resources.

Spring Boot revolutionized Java development by eliminating the pain points of traditional Spring Framework development. By automating configurations and simplifying project setup, Spring Boot became the preferred framework for building modern Java applications. Its ability to seamlessly integrate with other Spring modules and external libraries further solidifies its position as the top choice for developers.

Spring Boot is not just a framework; it is a productivity tool for Java developers. By building on the strong foundation of the Spring Framework and reducing configuration complexity, it has transformed how Java applications are developed. Its ease of use and powerful features ensure that it remains a key part of the Java ecosystem for years to come.