Versioning

Spring Framework Versioning

The Spring Framework is the core framework for dependency injection, transaction management, and general application development.

• Versioning Pattern: Major.Minor.Patch (e.g., 5.3.30)

• Releases:

  • Major: Introduces breaking changes (e.g., Spring 5 → Spring 6)

  • Minor: New features and improvements (e.g., Spring 5.2 → Spring 5.3)

  • Patch: Bug fixes and security updates (e.g., Spring 5.3.30)

Spring Framework Latest Versions

Spring Version	Release Date	JDK Requirement	Key Changes
Spring 6.x (Latest)	Nov 2022	Java 17+	Jakarta EE 9+, AOT support
Spring 5.x	2017 - 2023	Java 8+	Functional programming support

Important: Spring 6.x+ requires Java 17 and Jakarta EE (not Java EE).

Spring Boot Versioning

Spring Boot is built on top of Spring Framework and simplifies configuration.

• Versioning Pattern: Uses Major.Minor.Patch (e.g., 3.1.2)

• Spring Boot always aligns with a specific Spring Framework version.

• Each Spring Boot version depends on a specific Spring Framework version.

Spring Boot and Spring Framework Compatibility

Spring Boot Version	Spring Framework Version	JDK Requirement
Spring Boot 3.x	Spring 6.x	Java 17+
Spring Boot 2.7.x	Spring 5.3.x	Java 8+
Spring Boot 2.6.x	Spring 5.3.x	Java 8+

Example: If using Spring Boot 3.x, we must use Spring 6.x.

How to Check the Spring & Spring Boot Versions?

1. Checking Spring Boot Version in pom.xml (Maven)

The Spring Boot version is specified in the parent section:

<parent>
    <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-boot-starter-parent</artifactId>
    <version>3.1.2</version>  <!-- Spring Boot Version -->
</parent>

Since Spring Boot manages Spring Framework dependencies, this version determines which Spring Framework version is used.

2. Checking the Spring Framework Version

Method 1: Use mvn dependency:tree (Maven)

Run the following command in your project directory:

mvn dependency:tree | grep spring-core

This will output something like:

[INFO] org.springframework:spring-core:jar:6.0.11:compile

Here, Spring Framework version is 6.0.11.

Method 2: Check in dependencyManagement

If we're not using spring-boot-starter-parent, Spring Framework version may be declared manually:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-core</artifactId>
    <version>5.3.30</version>  <!-- Spring Framework Version -->
</dependency>

Method 3: Check at Runtime via Spring Boot Actuator

If we have Spring Boot Actuator enabled:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-boot-starter-actuator</artifactId>
</dependency>

Then visit below url.

http://localhost:8080/actuator/info

This will display Spring Boot and Spring Framework versions.

3. Checking in META-INF/MANIFEST.MF

If running a Spring Boot JAR, check:

unzip -p myapp.jar META-INF/MANIFEST.MF | grep Spring

or inside the JAR under:

BOOT-INF/lib/spring-core-*.jar

This file name contains the Spring Framework version.