How to Master Spring Boot in 100 Days: Study Plan

Spring Boot has become the go-to framework for Java developers looking to build powerful, scalable, and modern applications. Mastering it in just 100 days is entirely possible with a structured approach. This study plan is designed for beginners and intermediate learners alike, helping you gradually build your knowledge and skills.

Why Master Spring Boot?#

Spring Boot simplifies application development with features like auto-configuration, embedded servers, and production-ready tools. Mastering it can open doors to building microservices, RESTful APIs, and enterprise-grade applications.

Study Plan Overview#

• Duration: 100 days
• Daily Commitment: 1–2 hours
• Prerequisites: Basic Java knowledge, understanding of core Spring concepts like Dependency Injection and IoC.

Phase 1: Foundation (Days 1–20)#

Goals:#

• Understand the basics of Spring Framework and Spring Boot.
• Set up your development environment.

Topics to Cover:#

1. Spring Framework Basics:
   • Dependency Injection (DI) and Inversion of Control (IoC).
   • Beans and ApplicationContext.
2. Introduction to Spring Boot:
   • What is Spring Boot?
   • Benefits over traditional Spring.
   • Setting up a Spring Boot project using Spring Initializr.
3. Development Environment:
   • Install IDE (IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse).
   • Install JDK, Maven, and Git.

Activities:#

• Build a "Hello, World!" application in Spring Boot.
• Explore the structure of a Spring Boot project.

Phase 2: Core Features (Days 21–40)#

Goals:#

• Learn core Spring Boot features like auto-configuration and application properties.
• Understand the use of REST APIs and databases.

Topics to Cover:#

1. Spring Boot Annotations:
   • @SpringBootApplication, @RestController, @Service, @Repository.
   • @ComponentScan and @Configuration.
2. Configuration and Profiles:
   • application.properties vs application.yml.
   • Using Spring profiles for environment-specific configurations.
3. Working with REST APIs:
   • Creating REST controllers.
   • Handling GET, POST, PUT, DELETE requests.
4. Database Integration:
   • Introduction to JPA and Hibernate.
   • Configuring H2 database.

Activities:#

• Build a simple CRUD API using Spring Boot and H2.
• Add environment-specific configurations using profiles.

Phase 3: Advanced Features (Days 41–70)#

Goals:#

• Explore advanced features like security, testing, and monitoring.
• Learn about building scalable applications.

Topics to Cover:#

1. Spring Boot Security:
   • Basics of Spring Security.
   • Implementing authentication and authorization.
2. Testing:
   • Writing unit tests with JUnit and Mockito.
   • Integration testing with @SpringBootTest.
3. Spring Boot Actuator:
   • Monitoring application health.
   • Understanding common Actuator endpoints.
4. Building Production-Ready Apps:
   • Externalized configurations using application.properties.
   • Logging with SLF4J and Logback.

Activities:#

• Secure your CRUD API with Spring Security.
• Write test cases for REST endpoints.

Phase 4: Microservices (Days 71–90)#

Goals:#

• Learn to build and manage microservices using Spring Boot.

Topics to Cover:#

1. Introduction to Microservices:
   • What are microservices?
   • Advantages of microservices architecture.
2. Spring Cloud Basics:
   • Service discovery with Eureka.
   • API Gateway with Zuul or Spring Cloud Gateway.
   • Centralized configuration with Spring Cloud Config.
3. Inter-Service Communication:
   • Using Feign clients.
   • REST and gRPC communication.

Activities:#

• Build a microservices-based application with two services.
• Set up Eureka for service discovery.

Phase 5: Project and Review (Days 91–100)#

Goals:#

• Apply everything you’ve learned in a capstone project.
• Review and revise critical concepts.

Topics to Cover:#

• Capstone Project:
  • Build a complete application (e.g., a food delivery app or task management system).
  • Include REST APIs, security, database integration, and monitoring.
• Revision Topics:
  • Spring Boot annotations.
  • Microservices concepts.
  • Testing strategies.

Activities:#

• Deploy your capstone project on AWS Elastic Beanstalk or Heroku.
• Write a blog or create a portfolio to showcase your project.

Tips for Success#

1. Practice Regularly: Build small applications alongside theory.
2. Explore Documentation: Spring Boot’s official documentation is an excellent resource.
3. Join Communities: Engage in forums like Stack Overflow or Reddit’s r/javahelp.
4. Stay Consistent: Dedicate a specific time daily to study and code.

Conclusion#

By following this 100-day plan, you’ll master Spring Boot step-by-step, gaining the confidence to build real-world applications and excel in your career. Remember, consistency and hands-on practice are key. Happy coding!