---

Spring vs Spring Boot : Which One to Choose to Build Razor-Sharp Web Apps and Why?

Summary:

You will get to know everything about spring vs spring boot. This blog will guide you through the definitions, benefits, features, and use cases of the spring framework and spring boot. You can find how beneficial is spring boot framework for application development. Developers can build enterprise java applications with this Java ee framework. So at the end of the blog, you would be knowing enough about the spring vs spring boot framework.

Introduction:

Planning for app development is a tedious process because you have to focus on various things and choosing the right technologies and frameworks is one of them. There are many spring-based applications and they are performing exceptionally. According to webtechsurvey, more than 14000 websites are using spring. But which one to choose, a Spring framework or a Spring boot? If you know the difference between spring and spring boot, you can make the right decision on time.

Our reputed app development company Technource is presenting you with an informative blog in which you can find details about the spring framework and spring application. You can enhance your knowledge of spring boot starter, dependency injection, spring boot auto-configuration, and much more. Let’s get started.

What Is Spring?

Source

To understand the Spring better, you must know about the framework. It is a reusable design for a software system. It makes core programming easy by providing a platform for code libraries and scripting languages. You can find frameworks for different languages like Java, Perl, PHP, Ruby, and others.

Frameworks make the task of developers easy and fast. So that developers don’t have to write code for small and repetitive tasks. And Spring is a lightweight open-source framework. Therefore, Java ee 7 developers can build Spring boot applications effectively. Moreover, Spring boot provides support to many other frameworks, Hibernate, JSP, Strust, and more. If you want to use a framework for your loosely coupled applications, Spring can be a good option.

Likewise, if you have already defined the characteristics of the app, then also Spring framework can work effectively for your Spring project.

Benefits of Spring Framework

Many businesses are using Spring for the efficient development ecosystem for their enterprise Java development. There are various best JavaScript frameworks used by different enterprises. This popular Java framework creates Java objects for application development. Likewise, Spring powered applications improve the business because of various benefits. Developing web applications using Spring prove effective for many enterprises. So, you must be curious to know the benefits of Spring framework. Here you go!

1. Spring framework is lightweight
2. Follows POJO model
3. Provides middleware services
4. Supports annotation and configuration files
5. Good for loose coupling and easy testing

Features of Spring Framework

There are many features of spring for building web applications. You can shape your idea effectively if you know the features. Moreover, know how to patent an app idea to protect it.

You can reduce the development time for Spring applications with the help of plugins spring framework. There are approx 20 Spring modules, but I will talk about only the most important ones here. It will help you get ideas about other modules as well.

1. Spring MVC
2. Spring ORM
3. Spring AOP
4. Spring Test
5. Spring Expression Language
6. Spring JMS

• Spring MVC

  It is a model view controller architecture. You can implement all the core features of spring like dependency injection and inversion of control. Building web applications with Spring MVC makes your enterprise java applications elegant.

• Spring ORM

  With the help of API, Spring integrates with an ORM framework like Oracle toplink, Java Persistence API, and Java data objects. Developers can easily test the application with the Spring IOC approach. You can check out our blog on API development for more detail.

• Spring AOP

  Aspect-oriented programming (AOP) compliments OOPS. It is to provide modularity to the spring boot application. It dynamically adds concern around the logic of the web application.

• Spring Test

  Developers use the Spring framework for integration testing. The framework uses mock objects JNDI, Servlet API, Environment, Spring web reactive, and others.

• Spring Expression Language

  Spring expression language supports querying and manipulating an object graph runtime. The syntax of Spring expression language is similar to unified EL. Developers can use it across all the products.

• Spring JMS

  Spring JMS is a standard Java API. It is called Java message service. Asynchronous messaging is helpful for loosely coupled application. You can read and send messaging easily with JMS.

Use Cases of Spring

Various tasks are done in the Spring project with the help of Spring MVC, Rest API, and Spring security config dependencies. So, I have found some use cases to clarify where and when you can use Spring, the popular application development framework.

1. Create scalable microservices
2. Develop asynchronous application
3. Provides top-notch server-side security
4. The fast development of server-less application
5. Allow event-driven architecture
6. Automates tasks with batches

What Is a Spring Boot Framework?

Source

Spring boot is an extension of the Spring framework. You can say it was built over the Spring framework. You can build your app in a short time using Spring boot because it is a microservice-based framework. Likewise, almost all the elements in Spring boot are auto-generated.

So, developers mostly go with Spring boot to build REST APIs and Razor-Sharp web applications. They can create production-grade Spring-based applications. It reduces the code length which is effective for building a Spring-based application fast.

How Did Spring Boot Emerge?

When the Spring framework was already here, why Spring boot was created? The answer is to overcome the drawbacks of the Spring framework. It was difficult to use the components of the Spring framework, thus Spring boot was created. Now developers can use simplified components to develop web applications.

And it was difficult to track loosely coupled blocks so Spring boot solved this problem as well. Likewise, Spring architecture was becoming complicated day by day so creating a Spring boot-like tool became a necessity. Java developers can simplify Java ee development with the help of Spring boot. Moreover, they can develop the rest APIs in a short development time.

Benefits of Spring Boot

Soring boot removes the boilerplate code configuration which is vital for fast and high-performing application development. There are many other benefits of a Spring-powered framework. Check out them in the space below.

1. Developers don’t need to use XML configuration
2. Building stand-alone application is easy
3. It reduces LOC to simplify development
4. Developers can use production-ready features
5. Developers create web applications with customization
6. They don’t have to deploy WAR files
7. It embeds Tomcat, Jetty, and Undertow directly

Top Features of a Spring Boot

Before you move ahead to know the differences between a Spring and a Spring boot, it’s crucial to know the features of a Spring boot for building Spring-powered applications. Have a look at them by scrolling down.

1. Dependency Injection
2. MVC
3. Spring Security
4. Auto Configuration

• Dependency Injection

  Developers can inject dependencies into an application without the need for XML configuration. It reduces the dependency on code properties and configuration files. Spring boot uses dependencies to inject them.

• MVC

  Spring boot developers need an ideal foundation for modern application development. The database persistence capabilities like caching support, connections, and database access are needed for the same.

• Spring Security

  It offers a lightweight directory access protocol. Java authentication and authorization service makes enterprise Java development easy. Spring boot creates highly robust applications with the help of embedded servers.

• Auto Configuration

  Auto configuration automatically keeps Spring applications up to date according to the Java environment. This feature is helpful for multi-component applications. Also, make it easy to update the entire software in one go.

What Are the Spring Boot Starter Dependencies?

Here are some Spring boot starter dependencies that allow easy integration.

1. Spring boot starter security
2. Spring boot starter web
3. Spring boot starter JPA
4. Spring boot starter Thymeleaf
5. Spring boot starter test

These dependencies provide distinct Spring modules.

Why Select Sprint Boot Over Spring?

Many businesses create standalone applications, dynamic web pages, and other software with the help of Spring boot. It is because Spring boot offers many benefits. By knowing the difference between spring vs spring boot you can understand it better. Meanwhile, you need to know why to choose a Spring boot over Spring.

1. Provides a default setup for integration and unit tests
2. A development team can work effectively
3. Helps in the autoconfiguration of all components which is good for production-grade spring application
4. Improves the efficiency of a development team
5. Removes manual work like XML configuration, boilerplate code length, and annotations
6. HTTP serves as a Tomcat and Jetty for application testing
7. With the help of admin support handling and monitoring through remote access of applications is easy
8. Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, ActiveMQ, RabitMQ, and ElasticSearch can be connected easily
9. Spring ecosystem makes the integration of Spring boot effortless for developers
10. The default configuration provides an efficient development ecosystem for fast app-building

There are many other benefits also that drive businesses to choose this technology. Read the below code to understand why this is so.

Example without dependency injection:

Example using the dependency injection:

Two primary annotations allow dependency injection:

1. @Component: Manage bean that is labeled down by annotation
2. @Autowired: Supports XML configurations and annotations

Difference Between Spring and Spring Boot

Key differences between spring vs spring boot framework will help you choose the right and suitable framework for your project.

These are only some differences that I found important to mention. But they are crucial enough to help you understand which to choose. Kotlin is also a popular programming language like Java. You can read about Kotlin vs Java in our blog if you want to know difference between them.

Wrapping Up

Differences between spring and spring boot will help you clear your thought about web-based application development and choose the right technology. Now you know what spring boot provides, the Spring boot requirement, and key differences for building applications. It must have made your way easy to choose one. If still, you face issues, contact Technource. We have world-class experts. They will discuss your idea and provide you with the best suggestions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is easy to learn Spring or Spring boot?

In Spring boot everything is autoconfigured because this is an extended version of the Spring framework. So, it is easier to learn than the Spring framework.

Why choose a Spring boot for the next project?

You can build serverless and micro-services-based apps using Spring boot. It is the best for loosely coupled applications as well. There are many other reasons to choose it. However, you should take the final decision after analyzing your software needs.

How much time is needed to learn Spring boot?

The time for learning a Spring boot depends on the level of Spring. They are Spring core, Spring MVC, Spring boot, Spring data JPA, Spring Security, Spring Cloud, and others. It generally takes 2 months to learn Spring and can take more time if you want to learn more features.

How much Java is used in Spring boot?

You have to check the compatibility of Spring with the latest version of Java before starting to learn. So, you have to learn core Java basics before moving to learn Spring.