What level of Spring Boot expertise do I need for building a customer-facing API that handles payments?
You need intermediate to advanced expertise for payment APIs. This requires understanding security patterns, transaction management, error handling, and integration with payment processors. A beginner might get basic functionality working, but won't handle edge cases, security vulnerabilities, or the reliability requirements that payment processing demands.
How can I tell if a developer actually knows Spring Boot well versus just listing it on their resume?
Ask them to walk through a production issue they've solved, explain their testing approach, or discuss how they'd handle scaling challenges. Real expertise shows up in their understanding of configuration management, monitoring, and architectural decisions. Request code samples or have them explain trade-offs between different implementation approaches.
Can Spring Boot handle real-time features like chat or live updates, or do I need a different technology?
Spring Boot can handle real-time features through WebSockets and Server-Sent Events, and it integrates well with message brokers like Redis or Apache Kafka. However, for applications where real-time performance is the primary concern (like gaming or high-frequency trading), specialized technologies might be better. For typical business real-time needs like notifications or chat, Spring Boot works great.
How does Spring Boot work with our existing database and other tools we're already using?
Spring Boot integrates with virtually any database (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MongoDB) and most enterprise tools through its extensive ecosystem. It can connect to existing databases without requiring schema changes, integrate with message queues, authentication systems, and cloud services. The key is having a developer who understands these integrations and can handle the configuration properly.
How long does it typically take to build and deploy a Spring Boot application?
A simple REST API can be built and deployed in 1-2 weeks. A complex business application with multiple integrations typically takes 2-3 months for the initial version. Migration projects from legacy systems usually take 3-6 months depending on complexity. The actual timeline heavily depends on requirements clarity, integration complexity, and the developer's experience level.
What kind of ongoing maintenance does a Spring Boot application need after it's built?
Expect regular security updates every 3-6 months, dependency updates, monitoring and performance optimization, and feature additions based on business needs. A well-built Spring Boot application is relatively low-maintenance, but you'll need someone who can handle production issues, optimize performance as you scale, and implement new features. Budget for 10-20% of initial development time for ongoing maintenance.