Spring MVC Interview Questions and Answers

For any job that uses specific software or technological frameworks, you must prepare for interview questions about your knowledge of that technology. This article will discuss Spring MVC technology, including what it is, areas to refresh your memory, and what you might expect potential employers to ask in an interview.

What is Spring MVC? 

Spring MVC is a Java framework used in the construction of web applications. This framework follows an MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern while utilising the core basics of the Spring framework. The Model, View, and Controller function as follows: 

• Model: The model holds the application data (singular or collective).

• View: View makes the model data accessible to client browsers by generating HTML output. 

• Controller: Controller takes client/user requests and passes them to View for rendering. 

10 potential Spring MVC interview questions 

1. What is MVC? 

What they’re really asking: Are you knowledgeable about the basic skills required for this position? 

Having a definition on hand might be helpful for a question like this. For example, MVC (Model-View-Controller) software architects computer design patterns. It separates an application’s function into three parts, grouping it by model, view, and controller. You may then describe the benefits of MVC, such as how the system implements reusable code that reduces coding efforts by promoting simple generation and parallel development. 

Other forms this question might take: 

• Do you have experience with MVC? 

• How have you used MVC in other positions? 

• How familiar are you with MVC? 

2. What is Spring Framework, and what types of transaction management are supported by Spring? 

What they’re really asking: Are you familiar with the frameworks we use in our workplace? 

Spring is a framework that helps Java programmers develop codes. It supports both declarative and programmatic transaction management. 

Other forms this question might take: 

• Do you have experience with the Spring framework? 

• How have you used the Spring framework in other positions? 

• How familiar are you with Spring as a framework? 

3. What are the benefits of using the Spring MVC framework? 

What they’re really asking: How would you most efficiently use your knowledge of Spring MVC in the workplace? 

For your reference, some of the benefits of using Spring framework in coding you may want to list are: 

• Enables multifaceted abilities with a light but powerful servlet container 

• Reduces effort in coding practices by way of pattern implementation and reusable code 

• Removes ineffective connections 

• Easy to use in conjunction with third-party technologies 

• Separates roles by model, view, and controller for more efficient work 

• Improves flexibility in mapping by way of annotation directives 

Other forms this question might take: 

• How does Spring MVC aid in workplace efficiency? 

• How have you used Spring MVC to increase productivity? 

4. What are some of the modules used in the Spring framework? 

What they’re really asking: Do you understand the many uses of the Spring framework?

Knowing that Spring uses many different modules within its framework may be useful. To answer this question, you will need to be familiar with at least a few of them. The following are common third-party modules used in conjunction with the Spring framework: 

• Application context module

• Aspect-oriented programming (AOP) module

• Core container module

• JDBC abstraction and DAO module

• JMS module

• MVC framework module

• Object/Relational (O/R) mapping integration module

• ORM module

• OXM module

• Test module

• Web module

• Java spring-webmvc

Other forms this question might take: 

• What Spring modules are you most familiar with? 

• How many modules have you used previously? 

• How comfortable are you with the various Spring modules? 

5. How would you describe your comfort level with Spring MVC applications? 

What they’re really asking: Please demonstrate proficiency with the basic skill requirements needed in this position. 

If asked a question like this, you may want to provide a general overview of your knowledge alongside supplemental examples that provide more specific information. A potential employer will want to know that you are comfortable with the Spring MVC framework, so using examples is a great way to demonstrate your proficiency. 

Other forms this question might take: 

• Talk about an instance in which you used Spring MVC applications to your benefit. 

• Do you have experience with Spring MVC applications? 

• Which Spring MVC applications are you most familiar/comfortable with? 

6. Can you explain the flow of Spring MVC?

What they’re really asking: Do you know enough about the tools used in the workplace daily? 

The general flow of Spring MVC is as follows:

1. A generated request will be directed to the dispatcher servlet. 

The dispatcher servlet will work with handler mapping to process the request. 

1. The request will be forwarded to the controller. There, the controller will execute the necessary methods, return the corresponding model, and view it in the dispatcher servlet.

2. The dispatcher servlet will then send the model to the view resolver, generating the view page. 

3. The dispatcher servlet forwards the model to the view page, which is available for public use. 

Other forms this question might take: 

• Please talk through the technical use of Spring MVC. 

• Describe the process of working with Spring MVC. 

7. What are the ways of reading data in Spring MVC? 

What they’re really asking: Are you proficient in reading annotated languages in Spring MVC? 

Here, it might be useful to know that you can use the following to read the data:

• HttpServletRequest interface: This interface uses the Spring framework to read HTML data in form. 

• @RequestParam annotation: This annotation takes form data and binds it to the necessary parameter within a provided method. 

• @Controller annotation: This annotation indicates which class is functioning as a controller. 

• @RequestMapping annotation: This annotation is often used to map the Spring MVC controller. 

• @ModelAttribute annotation: This annotation binds the method parameter to its given model attribute. 

Other forms this question might take: 

• Have you ever faced challenges in reading data in Spring MVC? 

• What was your learning process like when you started using Spring MVC? 

• Describe a time in which you overcame challenges while using Spring MVC. 

8. How would you handle exceptions in Spring MVC applications? 

What they’re really asking: How well will you be able to troubleshoot your code? 

For questions like this, it is important to demonstrate a willingness to learn, but it may also help you to know that Java provides three ways in which to handle exceptions in Spring MVC: 

• Using HTTP Status Codes 

• Using @ExceptionHandler for controller-based handling  

• Using @ExceptionHandler for global handling  

Other forms this question might take: 

• How do you handle challenges or learning curves? 

• How would you handle a situation in which you were unfamiliar with a necessary Spring MVC application? 

9. What annotations might you use in Spring MVC applications? 

What they’re really asking: Are you familiar with the more common applications, and do you have experience with uncommon ones? 

Commonly used annotations are the following: 

• ​​@Controller

• @ControllerAdvice

• @CrossOrigin

• @DeleteMapping

• @ExceptionHandler

• @GetMapping

• @InitBinder

• @ModelAttribute

• @PatchMapping

• @PathVariable

• @PostMapping

• @PutMapping

• @RequestBody Annotation

• @RequestMapping

• @RequestParam

• @ResponseBody Annotation

• @ResponseStatus

• @RestController

It would also benefit you to mention additional annotations you have personally used in an interview. 

Other forms this question might take: 

• Describe when you tried to learn a new annotation to solve a specific issue. 

• How comfortable are you with the following annotations: ___? 

• Do you have experience with both common and uncommon Spring MVC annotations? 

10. What is the use of ___ annotation? 

What they’re really asking: Exactly how knowledgeable are you? 

A potential employer may expect you to know the use of any given Spring MVC annotation, especially if you mention a few in earlier questions. This is a great opportunity to show you know Spring MVC.  Remember the function of an annotation in Spring MVC if you mention it in an interview. You may also want to review some additional or more uncommon annotations that you’re not as familiar with so you don’t get caught off guard if they are brought up. 

Other forms this question might take: 

• Please describe the uses of the following annotations: ___ 

• Talk us through a time you had to use an unfamiliar annotation. 

Next steps

To continue preparing for your interview, consider taking courses on Coursera, such as Preparation for Job Interviews, Accomplishment STAR Techniques for Job Interviews, or Interview Research and Preparation. These courses can help you enhance your interviewing skills and preparation to increase your confidence in answering Spring MVC interview questions for your next job position.