Spring Framework

Pattern: Process

Core Spring patterns for dependency injection, AOP, transactions, and bean lifecycle. Targets Framework 7 (Jakarta EE 11, Java 17+). Most guidance applies to Framework 6.1+ — version-specific features are annotated.

Mental model: Spring's AOP is a decorator pattern applied at runtime via proxies. Every annotation that adds behavior (@Transactional, @Async, @Cacheable) is a decorator — decorators only work when called through the decorated object (the proxy), not via this.

Do NOT Load for Boot-specific topics (auto-configuration, starters, profiles, actuator) — use spring-boot. For web, security, data, or testing — use the dedicated skill.

When to Use

• Wiring beans, resolving injection ambiguities, or fixing circular dependencies
• Debugging why @Transactional, @Async, or @Cacheable is silently ignored
• Understanding proxy mechanics and the self-invocation trap
• Choosing between lifecycle hooks (@PostConstruct vs SmartLifecycle)
• Writing @Configuration classes or registering beans programmatically
• Using Spring Framework 7 features (BeanRegistrar, @Proxyable, RetryTemplate)