Spring Boot is a Java-based framework and a tool for rapid application development. In this course, we will cover everything from the basics to advanced concepts of Spring Boot backend development, particularly delving deep into the term ‘server’.
1. Definition of Server
A server is a program or device that provides services in response to client requests. When a request comes from a client, the server processes it and returns the result, typically responding to requests from other computers (clients) connected via a network.
1.1. Types of Servers
Servers can be divided into several types based on their functions or the services they provide. Some representative types of servers include:
- Web Server: A server that delivers HTML files to clients. Examples include Apache HTTP Server and Nginx.
- Application Server: A server that processes business logic and handles requests via connections to a database. Examples include Java EE servers and JBoss.
- Database Server: A server that processes requests related to databases. Representatives include Oracle and MySQL.
- Mail Server: A server that manages email transmission and reception. It operates through SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 protocols.
- File Server: A server that acts as a file storage and shares files with clients.
2. Server Architecture
Server architecture is a structural representation of how servers are configured and operate. Server architecture can take various approaches, primarily categorized as client-server models and distributed systems.
2.1. Client-Server Model
The client-server model is a structure where all requests are sent from clients to the server, and the results processed by the server return to the clients. This model enables efficient data processing.
2.2. Distributed System
A distributed system is a form where multiple servers cooperate to perform tasks together. It distributes loads through load balancing and provides high availability. It is primarily used in cloud computing environments.
3. Spring Boot on the Server
Spring Boot is a framework that allows for easy construction of server applications, enabling rapid application startup without complex configurations. It is particularly suitable for developing RESTful APIs.
3.1. Features of Spring Boot
- Autoconfiguration: Minimizes configuration for developers while automatically managing necessary dependencies.
- Standalone Application: Allows applications to run without separate server installation through an embedded Tomcat server.
- Ease of Project Initialization: Enables quick project creation through Spring Initializr.
4. Building a Simple Server Using Spring Boot
We will cover how to build a simple RESTful API server using Spring Boot.
4.1. Project Creation
You can visit Spring Initializr (https://start.spring.io/) to create a project based on Maven or Gradle. Select ‘Spring Web’ as the necessary dependency.
4.2. Application Class Configuration
@SpringBootApplication
public class MyApplication {
public static void main(String[] args) {
SpringApplication.run(MyApplication.class, args);
}
}
4.3. Writing a REST Controller
Let’s create a controller to provide a simple REST API.
@RestController
public class MyController {
@GetMapping("/hello")
public String sayHello() {
return "Hello, Spring Boot!";
}
}
4.4. Running the Server
Now, when you run the application, you can access http://localhost:8080/hello. You will see the message “Hello, Spring Boot!”.
5. Conclusion
In this course, we learned about the basic concepts of servers and how to build a server using Spring Boot. Servers consist of various types and architectures, and Spring Boot allows for efficient development of backend applications. We will continue to explore various topics utilizing Spring Boot in the future.