This project is my attempt to develop a simple web application with a "backend service" using Spring Boot 4.0.2, Java 25, Gradle 9.3.1, and Tomcat 11.0.15.

1. Install sdkman - https://sdkman.io/install/.
2. You should have Java 25 installed.

• To see which Java version is currently active in your shell: "sdk current java".
• If not java 25, then you can run: "sdk install java " for example "sdk install java 25.0.1-amzn".

3. You should have Gradle 9.3.1 installed.

• To verify, run "gradle -v"
• If gradle 9.3.1 is not running, then you can run: "sdk install gradle 9.3.1" and then "sdk use gradle 9.3.1".

4. Clone this repository.

• First navigate to the desired directory. Then run: "git clone https://github.com/big-owl/MySpringApplication.git"

1. Use the 'bootRun' gradle task to start a tomcat instance (running in the background), and deploy to it.

• For example: "gradle bootRun".

2. Either run http://localhost:8080/application from the browser, or run 'ClientTest' from your IDE.
3. To stop the tomcat instance, press 'Ctrl + C' in the terminal window where 'bootRun' is running.

Run unit tests only (no server required):

gradle test

Run full build (no server required):

gradle build

Run integration tests (server must be running):
// Terminal 1

gradlew bootRun

// Terminal 2

gradle integrationTest

• Improve the user entry & store functionality.
• Improve the API user documentation.
• Add Spring Security (authentication + CSRF protection).
• Add logging functionality using Slf4J + Logback.
• Add integration tests using Testcontainers.
• Improve unit testing using MockMvc.
• Add an in-memory database, like H2.

• Both URLs below work the same. But the first option is the standard convention and what users expect.
  • http://localhost:8080/application/ → serves index.html (cleaner, preferred)
  • http://localhost:8080/application/index.html → also serves index.html (explicit)
• If you get an error during "git push" stating "Your push would publish a private email address.", then try this:
  • Find your GitHub noreply address in your GitHub's Personal Settings --> Emails.
  • git config user.email ""
  • git config user email {ID}+{username}@users.noreply.github.com
  • git commit --amend --reset-author
  • git push

• There appears to be a bug with Gradle that causes it to think there is a JVM version mismatch (running Java 25 with Java 17-compiled libraries). This JVM version attribute mismatch causes Gradle to exclude spring-web from the dependency tree.