Where are spring tutorials without spring-boot?
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Sure, below is a detailed article about finding Spring tutorials that do not rely on Spring Boot, with technical explanations, examples, and a summary table.
While Spring Boot provides a streamlined approach for building Spring applications with its opinionated setup, there are various scenarios where developers might prefer or need to use the Spring Framework without leveraging Spring Boot. This could be due to legacy projects, preference for customization, or understanding the underlying mechanisms of Spring. Let's explore where to find these resources and understand core Spring concepts without Spring Boot.
Getting Started with Spring Framework
Spring Framework is a comprehensive solution for building Java applications. It provides infrastructure support for developing Java applications with its core concepts, such as Dependency Injection (DI), Aspect-Oriented Programming (AOP), and more. Here's how you can set up a simple Spring application without Spring Boot.
Basic Setup
- Project Structure: Unlike Spring Boot, where the setup is minimized, a non-Spring Boot project requires you to set up the project structure manually. Typically, it involves creating a
src/main/javadirectory for your source code and asrc/main/resourcesdirectory for your configuration files. - Dependencies: Use a build tool like Maven or Gradle to manage dependencies. Here is a sample Maven
pom.xmlwithout Spring Boot dependency:- Implement DI by configuring beans in an XML file or using annotations.
- An example of an XML configuration might look like:
- Java-based configuration can be achieved using
@Configurationand@Beanannotations. - Learn how to use AOP without Boot's auto-configuration:
- Create an aspect class using annotations:
- Spring Docs: Start with Spring Framework's official documentation which provides in-depth explanations and examples on using Spring without Boot.
- Books: "Pro Spring" and "Spring in Action" are excellent books that cover core Spring concepts extensively. Ensure they cover the specific version you're using, as Spring is continually evolving.
- Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer courses focusing on Spring Framework fundamentals independently from Spring Boot.
- Community Forums and Q&A websites: Engage with communities on Stack Overflow or Spring-specific forums where experienced developers discuss issues and share knowledge on how to use Spring without Boot.

