10 Spring Framework Books Experienced Java Developers Should Read in 2024 - Best of Lot

The Spring framework has changed a lot in the last couple of years. We have seen significant releases for Spring, Spring Boot, and Spring Security. These new releases introduced several exciting features to meet the latest software development trends, like Reactive programming, support for Kotlin for developing Spring applications, Spring WebFlux - a new framework to build non-blocking and reactive web applications,  and many more. Since the software world is changing and most of the development is happening on Cloud with Microservice architecture leading the way, it's high time that experienced Java developers should upgrade themselves.

If you have been using Spring for years but haven't got a chance to got-up with all the latest development in the Spring world, then the year 2024 is the best time to correct that.

After the Java SE 8 release, most of the Java frameworks are upgraded to support the new style of coding in Java. It has now become standard in Java, and the code written using the old method is no more in practice.

Technical lead and architect are rejecting such code in peer code review and encouraging experienced Java developers, like someone who has 5 to 8 years of experience to learn Java 8 and Spring 5.

It makes sense; you just can't write code in the old way if a better option is available, which is more readable, intuitive, and provide better performance. The same goes for the Reactive programming model.

Well, I will accept that once you gain experience, your learning becomes slow, and many Java developers, including myself, don't put enough effort into keeping ourselves up-to-date.

Your company also plays an essential role in this, for example, if you are working for Investment banks and big organization which is still using old technologies then you will be less likely to upgrade yourself because there is no push. 

If you are working for a startup, which is very agile in adopting the latest and greatest framework, library, and technology, you will likely upgrade yourself more often.

Btw, if you are entirely new to Spring world and looking for the best way to learn the Spring framework in 2024, then I suggest you first start with a comprehensive online course like Spring Framework 6: Beginner to Guru before you read this book. I have found that it accelerates your learning, and you get more from the books later.

10 Best Spring Framework Books for Java developers in 2024

Anyway, if you want to give your career a boost and break the shackle, here are a couple of Spring books, I think experienced Java developers should read to learn about new features of Spring 5, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and how to develop Java application for Cloud using spring frameworks.

In the last couple of years, there are a few more great Spring books cam along which are great for anyone who wants to master advanced topics like Reactive Spring, Security, and Spring Boot in depth. Apart from these books, I have included  few more spring books that are worth looking at in 2024

You can read these books to further improve your knowledge of Spring Framework and become a better Java developer in 2024.

Now, let's see my list of classic Spring Framework books which are still worth reading in 2024. 

1. Spring in Action 6th Edition

This should be one of the first few books to read in 2024, of course, only after you finish the Effective Java 3rd edition if you haven't already.

Though Spring in Action doesn't need any introduction or recommendation and is hands down the best book to learn Spring framework now, it is also updated to Spring 5.3which means you can use this to learn and discover what’s new in Spring Framework 5, like Reactive features, WebFlux, etc.

It will also teach you how to use the Spring Framework with Java 9 and aster data access and transactions, work with the new functional web framework and create microservices and other web services using Spring Boot and other cloud technology.

I suggest you follow this book if you are learning the Spring framework in 2024. It's more up-to-date and follows the latest practices for developing a Java application with Spring. If you want, you can also combine this book with Spring Framework 6: Beginner to Guru course on Udemy, which is also the most up-to-date course to learn Spring framework in 2024.

2. Reactive Spring by Josh Long

If you are looking for a book to learn Reactive programming with Spring Framework then this is one of the best Spring books you can read in 2024. "Reactive Spring" by Josh Long offers a comprehensive exploration of reactive programming within the Spring ecosystem, presenting an essential guide for developers grappling with the challenges posed by microservices and big data.

Josh Long, a seasoned Spring Developer Advocate, delves into the limitations of traditional input/output models, particularly in the context of IO-bound work dominating threads. The book addresses the inherent issues of scalability and fault tolerance, shedding light on the complexities often hidden behind oversimplified abstractions in traditional approaches to integration. 

Josh introduces readers to reactive programming concepts, leveraging technologies like project Reactor, the reactive streams specification, Spring Boot, and Spring Cloud. The book covers crucial topics such as data access, web programming, RPC with protocols like RSocket, testing, integration, and composition. 

With a focus on practical insights and real-world applications, "Reactive Spring" equips developers with the knowledge needed to build resilient, scalable, and responsive systems in the modern software landscape. You can also combine this book with the Build Reactive MicroServices using Spring WebFlux/Spring Boot course on Udemy for better learning. 

3. Spring Boot: Up and Running

"Spring Boot: Up and Running: Building Cloud Native Java and Kotlin Applications" by Mark Heckler provides a practical and insightful guide for developers navigating the complexities of Spring Boot, the widely used Java framework with over 75 million monthly downloads. 

Acknowledging the framework's revolutionary impact on application development, Heckler, a prominent figure from VMware, delves into Spring Boot's architecture and approach, offering valuable insights on debugging, testing, and deployment. 

The book caters to developers aiming to build cloud-native Java or Kotlin applications rapidly and effectively, exploring topics such as reactive programming, API development, and versatile database access. With a focus on enhancing developer productivity and application portability, the book covers deployment strategies for production workloads, monitoring for optimal performance, and seamless debugging, testing, and securing of cloud-based applications. 

Mark Heckler's expertise shines through as he equips readers with the knowledge needed to leverage Spring Boot for successful and mission-critical application development. If you are looking for a comprehensive and up-to-date book to learn Spring Boot in depth then this is one of the best Spring Boot books you can read in 2024, I highly recommend this book to all Java developers. 

For better learning I also recommend you to combine this book with an online course like The Complete Spring Boot Development Bootcamp by Jose Portilla, it will help you to learn quicker and better. 

4. Cloud-Native Java

This is one of the must-read Spring books in 2024 for Java developers who want to learn how to design and develop production-quality Java applications for the cloud.

The full title of the book is "Cloud Native Java: Designing Resilient Systems with Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and Cloud Foundry," and as the title suggests, it covers all the technology and framework you need to roll out your first Java application for the cloud.

Both authors, Josh Long and Kenny Bastani are experts in the Spring framework and provided a detailed overview of all the technology mentioned in the title, like Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and Cloud Foundry while keeping the real world example in focus, as their story of Amazon, NetFlix, and Uber sparks interest.

This book is aimed primarily at experienced Java/JVM developers who are looking to build a cloud-based Java application using Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, and Cloud Foundry. There are tons of details that can be overwhelming sometimes.

If you don't know Spring, then this is not the book for you. Instead, you should first read the Spring in Action or Pro Spring Book to get yourself familiar with Spring, or you can take the Spring MasterClass course on Udemy.

If you are interested in Microservices, Spring Boot, and wondered why many companies are using Cloud Foundry, then you should read this book.

5. Spring Security in Action by Laurentiu Splica

Security is one of the paramount concern for any enterprise application and Spring security framework is designed to provide security to Java based application and that's why good knowledge of Spring security is required for any experienced Java developers.

"Spring Security in Action" by Laurentiu Spilca is a comprehensive guide for Java and Spring developers seeking to fortify their applications against security threats. With a focus on practical examples and code samples, the book begins with foundational concepts, such as password upgrades and multiple types of authorization, before delving into advanced topics like OAuth2 configurations. 

It addresses common security challenges, including cross-site scripting and request forgery attacks, providing insights on managing users, securing endpoints, and automating security testing. The book emphasizes a "secure by design" approach, ensuring that security is an integral part of the software development process. 

As you progress through the chapters, they adapt Spring Security to different architectures, gaining the skills to create a customized configuration that protects against a range of threats. Whether dealing with authentication, authorization, or implementing filters, this book equips experienced developers with the knowledge to build robust and secure Spring applications.

 

6. Learning Spring Boot 2.0

Apart from Spring 5, the other major to learn in 2024 is Spring Boot 2.0, and this is the best book to learn all the changes made in Spring Boot 2.0 version.

This book explains the examples with detailed explanations of complex reactive topics, and it's well organized to build an application from scratch on the reactive paradigm.

Btw, again this book is not for beginners. You need experience in Java 8, and you should be familiar with concepts like lambdas. You also need a basic understanding of Spring Boot and Spring framework, reactive programming, and cloud computing to get the most out of this book.

If you are looking to build efficient backends and microservices using Spring Boot, then this is the must-read of the book for you. I also recommended this book to anyone who is trying to learn spring boot 2.0 with reactive programming model concepts.

7. Spring 5 Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach

If you like to learn new concepts by following the how-to tutorial and recipe book, then this is the book for you. It not just covers new features of Spring 5 but also teaches you how to develop using Spring 5 and Java 9.

It provides re-usable code recipes and snippets from core Spring and Spring MVC, which can be used in web development. It also has recipes covering how to work with Spring REST and Microservices for web services development.

It also covers Spring Batch, NoSQL, and big data for building and integrating various cloud computing services and resources.

Overall, an excellent book to learn modern Java development with Spring 5.

8. Grokking the Spring Boot Interview

If you are looking for a book which can help you prepare with Spring Boot and Microservice developer interview then you will find my book, Grokking the Spring Boot interview worth of your time. 

This  is a valuable resource for Java and Spring developers navigating the challenging landscape of job interviews. With a focus on the extensive Java API, frameworks, and libraries, the book addresses the complexities of Java and essential frameworks like Spring, Spring Boot, and Hibernate commonly encountered in interviews. 

I wrote this book after the success of Grokking the Java Interview which touches core Java topic and this book dives into common Spring Framework questions relevant to job interviews. Covering a wide array of Spring concepts, including Container, Dependency, and IoC, Spring MVC, Spring Boot, Spring Data JPA, and Spring Security, the book provides a comprehensive overview. 

I have more than 20 years of experience in Java as a programmer and more than 12 years as an author writing on various JAva and Spring topics and this book is collection of all that. 

Whether preparing for telephonic or face-to-face interviews or aiming for Spring Professional Certification, this book not only imparts knowledge but also instills confidence in navigating Java and Spring-related interview questions. 

It serves as a practical study guide, combining real-world experience with thoughtful answers to enhance your  preparation for Java and Spring Boot interviews. You can also use code friends30 to get 30% discount on Gumroad or you can get the kindle version of this book for just $9.9 on Amazon. 

9. Spring Microservices in Action by John Carnell

There is a lot of buzz around Microservices, and Spring is leading the way by offering technologies you need to build a microservice-based application in Java.

In this book, John Carnell will teach you how to build microservice-based applications using Java and the Spring platform in a step-by-step, organized manner.

It will not only teaches you Core microservice design principles but also all the technology you need to develop and deploy your microservices in the real world.

You will learn about how Spring Boot and Spring Cloud simplify your microservice applications and all the tools Spring Cloud provides for the discovery, routing, and deployment of microservices to the enterprise and the cloud, like Hystrix, Ribbon, etc.

By the way, if you are keen to learn Microservice development in Java using the Spring framework then I also recommend you to check out Master Microservices with Spring Boot and Spring Cloud course by Ranga Karnam on Udemy. 

That's all about some of the best books to learn Spring Framework in 2024. These books will help you to learn all key technologies and frameworks, like Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, Spring 5 updates, and Spring Security 5 updates, which are very important for Java Web Developers. Spend some time learning those critical updates if you haven't discovered them already. They will not only help in your day-to-day job but also in any perspective interviews you are looking forward to.

Other Spring and Java Resources you may like

• 5 Free courses to learn Spring Core and Spring MVC
• How Spring MVC works internally in Java?
• 10 Courses to learn Spring Boot and Microservices in Java
• 10 Things Java Programmer should learn in 2024
• 10 Online Courses to Learn Spring Security and OAuth2
• 10 Advanced Spring Boot Courses for Java developers
• What is the role of DispatcherServlet in Spring MVC?
• The 2024 Java Developer RoadMap
• 7 Courses to learn Microservices in Java with Spring 
• Difference between @RestController and @Controller in Spring MVC?
• 5 Spring Microservices Courses for Java Developers
• 10 Frameworks Java and Web Developers should learn
• Spring and Hibernate training courses for Experienced Java developers

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P. S. -  If you love learning from online courses, which I do, you can also check this list of 5 courses to learn Spring Framework in depth. It contains courses for both beginners and expert Java and Spring Developers.