How To Migrate From JDK 11 to JDK 17 & From Spring Boot 2.x to Spring Boot 3.x?

How To Migrate From JDK 11 to JDK 17 & From Spring Boot 2.x to Spring Boot 3.x?

Upgrading to newer versions is a strategic move that not only future-proofs your application but also enhances its security, boosts performance, and elevates maintainability. By embracing the latest updates, you ensure that your application stays in sync with the ever-evolving technology landscape.

However, during the migration process, it’s common to encounter challenges such as compatibility issues, deprecated classes, configuration changes, and updates to dependencies. Overcoming these hurdles is a crucial step towards unlocking the full potential of your application in alignment with cutting-edge technology standards.

Walk Through

if you are only changing the Spring Boot parent version and Java version, you may encounter issues related to compatibility, deprecated classes, and configuration changes. In JDK 17, the javax package has been changed to jakarta, so you will need to update it.

In the image above, it is evident that the new version dependencies have been omitted due to conflicts with the old version dependency. The removal of the new dependency may lead to issues during the project build.

In the image above, we can observe that the WebSecurityConfigurerAdapter class has been removed, and the oauth2Login() method is deprecated and marked for removal.

Resolving the Errors

When migrating from JDK 11 to JDK 17 and from Spring Boot 2. x to Spring Boot 3. x, there are several things to consider:

  • Compatibility: Check the compatibility of your existing code with JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x There may be deprecated APIs or changes in behavior that could affect your application.
  • Dependency Updates: Update your project dependencies to versions that are compatible with Spring Boot 3. x and JDK 17. This includes libraries, frameworks, and plugins used in your project.
  • Java Language Features: JDK 17 introduces new language features and improvements. Review these changes and consider if any can be leveraged to improve your codebase.
  • Spring Boot Changes: Spring Boot 3. x may introduce changes in configuration, dependencies, and behavior. Review the release notes and documentation for Spring Boot 3. x to understand these changes.
  • Testing: Ensure that your existing test suite works correctly with JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x. Update any tests that rely on deprecated APIs or behavior.
  • Performance: JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x may offer performance improvements over previous versions. Consider profiling your application to identify areas for optimization.
  • Security: Update your application to use the latest security features and best practices provided by JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x.
  • Build and Deployment: Update your build and deployment processes to use JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x. This may involve changes to your build scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment configurations.

When migrating from JDK 11 to JDK 17 and from Spring Boot 2. x to Spring Boot 3. x, there are several important considerations to keep in mind:

  • Compatibility: It’s crucial to check the compatibility of your existing code with JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x. Look out for deprecated APIs or changes in behavior that could impact your application.
  • Dependency Updates: Make sure to update your project dependencies to versions that are compatible with Spring Boot 3. x and JDK 17. This includes libraries, frameworks, and plugins used in your project.
  • Java Language Features: JDK 17 introduces new language features and improvements. Take the time to review these changes and see if any can be utilized to enhance your codebase.
  • Spring Boot Changes: Spring Boot 3. x might bring about changes in configuration, dependencies, and behavior. Refer to the release notes and documentation for Spring Boot 3. x to understand these modifications.
  • Testing: Verify that your existing test suite functions correctly with JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x. Update any tests that rely on deprecated APIs or behavior.
  • Performance: JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x could offer performance enhancements compared to previous versions. Consider profiling your application to pinpoint areas for optimization.
  • Security: Ensure your application is updated to leverage the latest security features and best practices provided by JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x.
  • Build and Deployment: Update your build and deployment processes to incorporate JDK 17 and Spring Boot 3. x. This might entail adjustments to your build scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment configurations.

For example, to add a security layer, we are using SecurityFilterChain instead of WebSecurityConfigurerAdapter.

The security filters in SecurityFilterChain are typically beans, but they are registered with FilterChainProxy instead of DelegatingFilterProxy. FilterChainProxy offers several advantages over registering directly with the Servlet container or DelegatingFilterProxy. Firstly, it serves as a starting point for all of Spring Security’s servlet support. Therefore, if you need to troubleshoot Spring Security’s servlet support, adding a debug point in FilterChainProxy is a great place to start.

In the grand scheme of things, transitioning to new versions necessitates meticulous planning, comprehensive testing, and a keen focus on even the minutest details. This strategic approach is crucial to guarantee a seamless transition that minimizes any disruptions to your application and its users, ultimately ensuring a positive and smooth upgrade experience. For more such articles or queries, please write to [email protected].