Hello, developer’s community; which is the popular framework in the debate of spring vs spring boot to develop websites and applications? Remember, you need to host them using a web hosting server also.
The answer lies in any computer language, C, C++, Java, and other programming languages.
Today, we will be discussing the popular language Java. In this, there is a popular framework Spring which has become a popular option for the web development process. There are different complex and added functionalities.
It is a fact that developers take time to develop projects from scratch. When the Spring framework consumed lots of time for developers, Spring Boot emerged as the prominent alternative to develop applications.
The Spring Boot uses a foundation layer to build a standalone project with no extra configurations. So, you might have believed that Spring Boot is beneficial for website development. But hold on! Conclude after reading this spring vs spring boot difference blog.
Let’s dive deep into this blog and understand what the difference between spring and spring boot is.
Spring vs Spring Boot: What is Spring?
Spring is a framework of Java, as per the information provided at the beginning of this blog. But what is a framework meant by? It is a re-usable web designing platform with code libraries and several scripting languages. To make things simple, it is a framework to make core programming easier.
Other frameworks like PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, and many others are available called a framework. These frameworks help developers to bind coding elements together and build a compelling software project.
I hope you understand frameworks in the spring vs. spring boot blog. Let’s jump to the definition of Spring. It is a lightweight application framework that supports Struts, JSP, Hibernate, etc. coding structures like best PHP frameworks. The Spring was first written in 2002 and released in 2003 under the Apache license version 2.0.
Even there are several advantages of spring that developers cannot ignore and build websites and types of web applications.
Spring vs Spring Boot: What Is Spring Boot?
Spring Boot makes the standalone Spring-based Applications development easier with the help of repeated code sections. A microservice divides an application into a pool of loosely coupled services.
Coming to its definition, Spring Boot is a combination of Spring framework and Boot which represents Bootstrap. It featured default codes and annotation-based configuration, and this Spring extension enables a faster and more efficient development ecosystem.
Spring Boot will reduce the code length if you hail from the development community. As a result, developers get the easiest way to build an application. So, we recommend you opt for the same when there is less time to build a Spring-based application.
A client, Mike Youngstrom, requested the spring framework be bootstrapped to launch immediately in a Jira ticket (a software application used for issue tracking and project management). As a result, the Spring Boot framework was developed in 2013.
Related: Node.js Vs Spring Boot- Which Should You Choose?
Spring Vs Spring Boot: Advantages of Spring Framework
While using the Spring framework, developers get advantages of Spring. Read them below.
1. Pre-defined Templates
The Spring framework includes templates for Hibernate, JDBC, and JPA technologies. This approach eliminates the need for complex code definitions.
The JdbcTemplate class eliminates the need to write the logic for creating statements, committing transactions, creating connections, and handling exceptions. The time-consuming approach is eliminated.
2. Loose Coupling
According to the dependency injection mechanisms, Spring applications are loosely coupled.
3. Easy and Simple to Test
When using a spring framework with a dependency injection mechanism, it is easy to test the entire application. Application execution requires the VPS hosting server for EJB or Struts applications.
4. Non-invasive
The Plain Old Java Object (POJO) technique makes Spring easy to implement because it does not require developers to inherit certain classes or implementations.
5. Fast Development
Using Dependency Injection, JavaEE-based applications can be easily integrated with the framework on VPS hosting servers.
6. Strong Abstraction Support
Spring supports JMS, JDBC, JPA, and JTA abstraction capabilities as a Java EE-based specification.
Spring Vs Spring Boot: Advantages of Spring Boot
Below we have mentioned the advantages of the Spring Boot framework.
1. Bootstrapping Saves Memory Space
Spring Boot compiles the source language using Boot Initializer. This bootstrapping technique lets Users save space on their devices and load applications quickly.
2. No XML Configuration Required
Developers can use annotations or XML configurations with Spring projects. A lot of software engineers prefer to avoid XML configurations because they don’t want to go through the extra steps.
3. POM Dependency Management
Spring Boot doesn’t require you to use a parent POM (project object model). By adding the spring-boot-dependencies artifact, you can manage dependencies without relying on a parent POM or XML file.
4. A Large Community of Helpful Users
Like many open-source tools, its large community of users enjoys sharing their insights and creations. You can find helpful tutorials and discussions online regardless of your experience with Spring’s ecosystem.
Difference Between Spring And Spring Boot
| Feature | Spring | Spring Boot |
| Purpose | Provides a comprehensive infrastructure for building enterprise Java applications. | Simplifies Spring development by providing auto-configuration and starter dependencies. |
| Complexity | High configuration and setup. | Low configuration, rapid development. |
| Dependency Management | Manual dependency management. | Built-in dependency management with starters. |
| Server Integration | Requires external server configuration. | Embedded server (Tomcat, Jetty) included. |
| Configuration | XML or Java-based configuration. | Annotation-based configuration, properties files. |
| Deployment | Requires deployment to an application server. | Standalone JAR or WAR deployment. |
| Learning Curve | Steep | Gentle |
| Ideal for | Complex enterprise applications. | Microservices, RESTful APIs, rapid prototyping. |
Why Spring Boot Over Spring?
If this same question comes to your mind, the answer is simple! Coding time is reduced in Spring Boot. In addition to providing all of the functionality of the standard Spring framework, Spring Boot makes developing applications much easier. Because Spring Boot attributes are auto-configured, you can get an application up and running much faster than Spring.
That is why Spring Boot is widely used in the developer community. And if you are looking to host Spring Boot or Spring-based applications, MilesWeb’s servers are well configured. We have the industry’s best-level VPS hosting servers to host these top-notch applications.
We hope you have enjoyed the difference between spring boot and spring framework blog. Developers use different frameworks to complete their project and we know that the coding activity is time-consuming, and therefore, developers need the right framework to make the task easier. Spring and Spring Booth both have unique features. Spring is easy to configure on XML or JavaScript configurations while Spring Boot follows an annotation based configuration model.
Both frameworks are compatible with a unique set of server configurations. Hence, their setup timing and method also differs. So, determine your requirements and kickstart your web applications development journey.
And if there is a SSD hosting requirement, our servers are ready. Get the power of 99.95% uptime, SSD NVMe storage, and an unmetered bandwidth.
We hope you liked this informative blog. If you liked it, share it within your learning community and enlighten other’s minds.
FAQs- Spring vs Spring Boot
What is the main difference between Spring and Spring Boot?
Spring is a comprehensive framework for building Java applications, providing extensive infrastructure support. Spring Boot, on the other hand, is an extension of the Spring framework aimed at simplifying the setup and development process by offering default configurations and embedded servers. Spring Boot reduces the complexity of dependency management and configuration, making it faster to get started with a Spring-based application.
When should I choose to use Spring over Spring Boot, and vice versa?
Choose Spring when you need fine-grained control over your application’s configurations and are working on a complex, large-scale enterprise project. Opt for Spring Boot if you want to quickly bootstrap a new application with minimal configuration, especially suitable for microservices and smaller projects. Spring Boot’s auto-configuration and embedded server capabilities streamline development and deployment processes.
Can I use Spring Boot without having prior experience with the Spring framework?
Yes, you can use Spring Boot without prior Spring framework experience. Spring Boot is designed to be user-friendly and simplifies many of the complexities associated with Spring, providing default configurations and embedded servers to get you started quickly. However, some basic knowledge of Java and web application development is beneficial for effective use.
How does the configuration process differ between Spring and Spring Boot?
Spring requires extensive manual configuration through XML or Java annotations, providing flexibility at the cost of complexity. Spring Boot, however, uses auto-configuration to reduce the need for manual setup, allowing developers to get applications up and running with minimal configuration. Spring Boot’s opinionated defaults and embedded servers further simplify the configuration process, making development faster and easier.
Are there any performance implications to consider when deciding between Spring and Spring Boot?
Performance in Spring and Spring Boot applications is generally comparable, but Spring Boot’s auto-configuration might introduce some overhead due to unnecessary configurations if not properly customized. For highly optimized performance, fine-tuning the configuration and managing dependencies manually in Spring might be preferable. However, Spring Boot’s streamlined setup often leads to faster development cycles, which can be advantageous for many projects.
