Spring Boot & React: Test-Driven Development (TDD)

Name: Spring Boot & React: Test-Driven Development (TDD)
Rating: 3.7 (13 reviews)

Follow TDD to build an application with Spring Boot & React.js

Created byMaxwell I-Goertzen

Last updated 3/2026

English

What you'll learn

Learn how to write tests before code, guiding your development process and ensuring your application is robust and maintainable.
Build RESTful APIs using Spring Boot
Work with Spring Data JPA and secure your endpoints with Spring Security
Implement practical features like user registration and password hashing
Understand how to structure a Spring Boot project, manage dependencies, and use annotations for configuration
Create dynamic, reusable components using React
Manage application state with Redux and handle user interactions
Style your components with Bootstrap to build responsive UIs
Make HTTP requests to your backend using Axios
Apply ESLint to maintain code quality and consistency
Set up and use Jest as your test runner
Utilize React Testing Library to focus on user behaviors rather than implementation details
Learn how to write integration tests that simulate real user scenarios
Configure different environments using Spring Boot profiles (e.g., test vs. production)
Gain insights into best practices for structuring both backend and frontend projects

Course content

10 sections • 69 lectures • 3h 5m total length

Welcome2:24
Technology Stack2:30
What You Need Before We Start0:54
Install java, nodejs, and postman for testing our API so you’re ready to dive in. We will also install React developer tools and Redux dev tools to support state management.
Our Methodology2:45

Enter Frontend2:08
Bridge modern JavaScript with backward-compatible code using Bubble and Webpack, and leverage in-IDE feedback from Is linked with Jets for TDD, while Create React App bootstraps a React project.
Create Project2:20
Open Project in IDE2:08
Start Development Server2:37
Configure Frontend Test0:45
Configure frontend tests by leveraging Jest in Create React App for assertions, mocking, and test reporting, and extend with React Testing Library to robustly test components rendering HTML elements.
React Tesing Library1:06
Learn how the React testing library prioritizes testing user behavior over component internals, and install it with npm install --save-dev @testing-library/react, then wait for completion.
Jest Dom1:11

What we are going to do2:17
Handling HTTP Requests in Spring Boot1:14
Master HTTP requests in Spring Boot through test-driven development by implementing a user registration feature, with tests defining requirements for the rest controller and user controller.
Create the Test Class0:50
Configure Test Runner1:25
Units Integration Tests1:26
Explore unit tests for small isolated code units and integration tests that validate the whole system by simulating a user sign up across controllers, services, and databases.
Setting Up Integration Test1:47
Custom Test Profile1:45
Configure Spring Boot tests to run with a dedicated test profile using @ActiveProfiles, enabling test-specific configurations and a separate test database while safeguarding production settings.
Creating Our First Test2:55
Write our integration test with JUnit to verify the user controller's behavior under a valid scenario, using Spring Boot test annotations and a custom test profile on a random port.
Writing the Test4:20
Defining Requirements2:40
Define the test to specify expected behavior by creating a user object. A missing user class triggers a failing test, guiding the next step to build the user model.
Creating the User Entity3:45
Create a user entity by adding a Java class named user in the entities package and update tests to import it, following test-driven development.
Implement Test Method7:04
Sending Data to the Backend7:39
Creating User Controller6:35
Create a user controller in the controllers package and annotate it as a rest controller to handle post requests at /api/1.0/users, with a createUser method to pass tests.

Implementing a Test Method3:14
Reusing Code with a Helper Method2:31
Extracting the URL Path into a Constant2:09
Call createValidUser in the test, then post with the REST template using a URL constant and the user object, verifying the user saves to the database.
Writing the Test Logic2:22
Write test logic to verify a user is saved by asserting exactly one user record after a post request, using the user repository interface from Spring Data GPA.
Adding an Assertion to Check Database State2:22

Marking the User Class as a JPA Entity4:21
Mark the user class as a JPA entity with a long id primary key and identity-generated value, enabling Spring to map the class to a database table and auto-generate IDs.
Creating the UserRepository Interface3:35
Updating Our Test Class3:53
Fixing the Controller1:56
Fix the user controller by injecting the user repository and saving the user to the database. Track failing tests as the controller still does not save the user.

Requirements

A good understanding of Java basics is essential, as this course will involve backend development using Spring Boot. Familiarity with object-oriented programming concepts is highly recommended. Knowing the fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will be useful. While prior experience with React isn’t strictly required, having a basic understanding of frontend development concepts will help you grasp the material faster.
Ensure you have the necessary tools installed on your computer: Java Development Kit (JDK): Required for Spring Boot development. Node.js: Needed for running Create React App and managing frontend packages. Postman: Useful for testing and debugging your REST APIs. An IDE
Since the course focuses on Test-Driven Development (TDD), be prepared to adopt this approach to code by writing tests first and letting them shape your development process.
These prerequisites will set you up for success as you build a full-stack application using Spring Boot and React.js with a TDD approach. Enjoy the journey, and don’t hesitate to revisit foundational concepts if needed!

Description

Unlock the power of Test-Driven Development (TDD) in this immersive course that guides you through building a complete full-stack application using Spring Boot and React.js. In this hands-on course, you will learn to design, develop, and test a robust sharing platform from scratch, all while following TDD best practices. Whether you are a beginner looking to break into full-stack development or an experienced developer seeking to enhance your testing skills, this course offers a step-by-step approach that ensures you understand every aspect of the process.

We begin by setting up your development environment with essential tools such as Maven, Spring Boot, and IntelliJ for the backend, and Create React App, WebStorm, and Node.js for the frontend. You will explore how to build RESTful APIs, manage databases with Spring Data JPA, and secure your application using Spring Security. On the frontend, you will master React, create reusable components, and manage state with Redux while testing your components using Jest and React Testing Library.

Throughout the course, you will gain invaluable experience in writing tests before code, ensuring that every feature is reliable and maintainable. By the end, you will not only have a fully functional application but also the confidence to apply TDD principles to your own projects, transforming your approach to software development. Enhance your expertise with practical tools, real-world examples, and proven techniques that drive quality development for success today.

Who this course is for:

Aspiring Full-Stack Developers: Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your skill set, you’ll learn how to build both the backend and frontend of an application from scratch.
Java Developers: If you have experience with Java and want to dive deeper into Spring Boot, REST API development, and best practices in TDD, this course will guide you step-by-step.
Frontend Enthusiasts: For those with a background in JavaScript or React, you’ll learn how to integrate your skills with a robust backend system while using modern libraries and tools.
QA/Test Engineers: Enhance your understanding of testing methodologies and learn how to implement comprehensive testing strategies using JUnit and Jest.
Professionals Transitioning to Modern Development Practices: If you're looking to adopt TDD, learn modern tooling (like Webpack, and ESLint), or simply want to see how everything fits together in a real-world project, this course is for you.

Spring Boot & React: Test-Driven Development (TDD)

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction4 lectures • 9min

Setting Up the Backend7 lectures • 26min

Frontend Setup7 lectures • 12min

User Signup14 lectures • 46min

Creating and Saving a User5 lectures • 13min

The @Entity Annotation4 lectures • 14min

Separating Business Logic9 lectures • 19min

Returning Response Body7 lectures • 17min

Password Hash6 lectures • 21min

Hashing Passwords with BCrypt6 lectures • 10min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: