Spring Boot is an open-source Java-based framework used to create stand-alone, production-grade Spring applications with minimal configuration. It is built on top of the Spring Framework and simplifies the development of Java applications by providing convention-over-configuration and embedded server support. Features of Spring Boot Auto-configuration - Automatically configures application components based on dependencies present in the classpath. Standalone Applications - Provides built-in servers like Tomcat, Jetty, and Undertow, eliminating the need for external application servers. Microservices Support - Well-suited for building microservices-based architectures due to its lightweight and modular design. Spring Boot Starter Packs - Pre-defined dependency management to simplify integration with commonly used libraries. Actuator - Provides production-ready features such as monitoring and health checks. Externalized Configuration - Allows configuration using properties, YAML files, or environment variables. Spring Boot CLI - Enables command-line interface operations for quick application development. Architecture of Spring Boot Spring Boot follows a layered architecture, including: Presentation Layer - Handles HTTP requests using controllers and RESTful APIs. Business Layer - Contains service classes and business logic. Persistence Layer - Manages database interactions using JPA, Hibernate, or JDBC. Integration Layer - Connects external systems and third-party services. Getting Started with Spring Boot To create a Spring Boot application, follow these steps: Setup Development Environment - Install Java (JDK 8 or later) and an IDE like IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse. Create a Spring Boot Project - Use Spring Initializr to generate a starter project. Define Dependencies - Include required dependencies in pom.xml (for Maven) or build.gradle (for Gradle). Develop Application Components - Implement controllers, services, and repositories. Run the Application - Use mvn spring-boot:run or java -jar application.jar. Example: Hello World Application import org.springframework.boot.SpringApplication; import org.springframework.boot.autoconfigure.SpringBootApplication; import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.GetMapping; import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.RequestMapping; import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.RestController; @SpringBootApplication public class HelloWorldApplication { public static void main(String[] args) { SpringApplication.run(HelloWorldApplication.class, args); } } @RestController @RequestMapping("/api") class HelloWorldController { @GetMapping("/hello") public String hello() { return "Hello, Spring Boot!"; } } Conclusion Spring Boot simplifies Java application development by reducing boilerplate code and enhancing productivity. With its powerful features and built-in functionalities, it has become the preferred choice for building modern, scalable, and resilient applications. talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk