15. Configuration Classes
Spring Boot favors Java-based configuration. Although it is possible to use
SpringApplication with XML sources, we generally recommend that your primary source be
a single @Configuration class. Usually the class that defines the main method is a
good candidate as the primary @Configuration.
![[Tip]](images/tip.png) | Tip |
|---|
Many Spring configuration examples have been published on the Internet that use XML
configuration. If possible, always try to use the equivalent Java-based configuration.
Searching for Enable* annotations can be a good starting point. |
15.1 Importing Additional Configuration Classes
You need not put all your @Configuration into a single class. The @Import annotation
can be used to import additional configuration classes. Alternatively, you can use
@ComponentScan to automatically pick up all Spring components, including
@Configuration classes.
15.2 Importing XML Configuration
If you absolutely must use XML based configuration, we recommend that you still start
with a @Configuration class. You can then use an @ImportResource annotation to load
XML configuration files.
