Spring MVC vs. Spring Boot: Key Differences and When to Use Each

Introduction

The Spring Framework has been a cornerstone for Java development, offering robust tools for building enterprise applications. Among its modules, Spring MVC and Spring Boot stand out as powerful frameworks for application development. While both share a common foundation, they cater to different needs and use cases.

This article explores the core differences between Spring MVC and Spring Boot, delving into their unique features, advantages, and use cases. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of when to use each framework to maximize efficiency and scalability in your projects.

What is Spring MVC?

Spring MVC (Model-View-Controller) is a module of the Spring Framework designed for building traditional web applications. It follows the MVC architecture, which separates the application logic into three components:

• Model: Represents the data and business logic.
• View: Handles the presentation layer, displaying data to users.
• Controller: Manages user input and updates the model and view accordingly.

Key Features of Spring MVC:

1. Request Handling: Dispatches requests to controllers using DispatcherServlet.
2. View Resolution: Supports various view technologies like JSP, Thymeleaf, and FreeMarker.
3. Form Handling: Simplifies form binding and validation.
4. Flexible Configuration: Can be configured using XML or Java-based annotations.

What is Spring Boot?

Spring Boot is a Spring module designed to simplify the development of microservices and standalone applications. It eliminates the need for extensive configuration by providing opinionated defaults and a wide range of preconfigured features.

Key Features of Spring Boot:

1. Auto-Configuration: Automatically configures your application based on the dependencies in your classpath.
2. Embedded Servers: Includes embedded Tomcat, Jetty, or Undertow, removing the need for external servers.
3. Spring Boot Starter Dependencies: Bundles dependencies for specific use cases, such as spring-boot-starter-web.
4. Actuator: Provides built-in health checks and monitoring tools.
5. Command-Line Interface (CLI): Facilitates running and testing Spring Boot applications directly.

Key Differences Between Spring MVC and Spring Boot

When to Use Spring MVC

1. Traditional Web Applications:
   Use Spring MVC when building monolithic applications that require a clear separation of concerns using the MVC architecture.
2. Complex Front-End Requirements:
   If your application needs sophisticated front-end frameworks or custom view resolvers, Spring MVC provides the necessary flexibility.
3. Gradual Migration to Spring Boot:
   Start with Spring MVC for legacy projects and gradually migrate to Spring Boot to leverage its advanced features.

When to Use Spring Boot

1. Microservices Architecture:
   Spring Boot is ideal for creating lightweight, standalone services that can communicate in a distributed environment.
2. Rapid Prototyping:
   If you need to build applications quickly, Spring Boot’s auto-configuration and embedded servers accelerate the development process.
3. Cloud Deployment:
   With features like containerization support and easy scalability, Spring Boot is perfect for cloud-native applications.
4. Monitoring and Health Checks:
   Spring Boot Actuator simplifies application monitoring, making it suitable for production-grade systems.

Spring MVC with Spring Boot

Spring Boot builds upon Spring MVC, offering additional features to reduce boilerplate code and enhance developer productivity. In fact, Spring Boot includes Spring MVC as a dependency when you use the spring-boot-starter-web.

Example:
With Spring Boot, you can still use the full power of Spring MVC while benefiting from auto-configuration and embedded servers.

Code Comparison: Spring MVC vs. Spring Boot

Spring MVC Example

Configuration with XML:

<bean id="viewResolver" class="org.springframework.web.servlet.view.InternalResourceViewResolver">
    <property name="prefix" value="/WEB-INF/views/" />
    <property name="suffix" value=".jsp" />
</bean>

Controller Example:

@Controller
public class HomeController {
    @RequestMapping("/")
    public String home() {
        return "index";
    }
}

Spring Boot Example

Configuration with Application Properties:

spring.mvc.view.prefix=/WEB-INF/views/
spring.mvc.view.suffix=.jsp

Controller Example:

@RestController
public class HomeController {
    @GetMapping("/")
    public String home() {
        return "Welcome to Spring Boot!";
    }
}

Best Practices

1. Choose the Right Tool:
   • For large, monolithic applications, prefer Spring MVC.
   • For microservices or cloud-native applications, opt for Spring Boot.
2. Leverage Spring Boot Actuator:
   Use built-in metrics, health checks, and monitoring features for production-ready applications.
3. Use Spring Boot Starters:
   Simplify dependency management with pre-configured starter dependencies.
4. Optimize Performance:
   Use caching and load balancing for applications built with Spring Boot.

External Resources

• Spring MVC Documentation
• Spring Boot Documentation
• Baeldung: Spring MVC vs Spring Boot

FAQs About Spring MVC and Spring Boot

1. What is the primary difference between Spring MVC and Spring Boot?
   Spring MVC is a module for building web applications, while Spring Boot simplifies application development with auto-configuration and embedded servers.
2. Can I use Spring MVC with Spring Boot?
   Yes, Spring Boot includes Spring MVC as part of its web starter dependencies.
3. Which is better for microservices: Spring MVC or Spring Boot?
   Spring Boot is better suited for microservices due to its lightweight nature and embedded server support.
4. Do I need external servers for Spring Boot applications?
   No, Spring Boot includes embedded servers like Tomcat, Jetty, and Undertow.
5. Is Spring MVC still relevant with the rise of Spring Boot?
   Yes, Spring MVC is widely used for traditional, monolithic applications.
6. How does dependency management differ between the two?
   Spring MVC requires manual dependency management, whereas Spring Boot simplifies this with starter dependencies.
7. Can I migrate a Spring MVC application to Spring Boot?
   Yes, migration involves updating dependencies, removing XML configurations, and leveraging Spring Boot’s features.
8. Which framework is easier for beginners?
   Spring Boot is more beginner-friendly due to its preconfigured defaults and auto-configuration features.
9. What is Spring Boot Actuator?
   It’s a feature in Spring Boot that provides production-ready monitoring and health check tools.
10. Which framework should I choose for a cloud-native application?
    Spring Boot is ideal for cloud-native applications due to its containerization support and scalability.

Conclusion

Both Spring MVC and Spring Boot are powerful frameworks tailored to different application needs. While Spring MVC is ideal for traditional, monolithic web applications, Spring Boot excels in developing microservices and cloud-native solutions. By understanding their differences and use cases, developers can make informed decisions to build efficient, scalable, and maintainable Java applications.