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Unraveling the Mystique of 'InvalidConfigurationPropertyNameException' in Spring Framework

Are you tired of encountering the InvalidConfigurationPropertyNameException error while using Spring framework for your Java projects? Worry no more! Here we dive deep into this frequent error, discussing its root causes and providing intuitive solutions, all packaged with practical code examples. Buckle up and join us on this comprehensive journey to simplify your Spring development experience!

What is the InvalidConfigurationPropertyNameException in Spring Framework?

In the heart of this exception lies the discrepancy between the properties provided during configuration and the expected properties in your Spring application.

This exception typically arises when you attempt to bind to some nonexistent configuration property or when you employ a wrong property name in the Spring Boot configuration.

Before we delve into the solutions, let’s construct a sample scenario that demonstrates how this exception can surface in a Spring Boot application.

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@Configuration
@ConfigurationProperties(prefix = "myapp")
public class MyAppProperties {
    private String title;
    public String getTitle() {
        return title;
    }
    public void setTitle(String title) {
        this.title = title;
    }
}

In this code excerpt, the MyAppProperties configuration class is defined with a title property and the configuration property prefix myapp. However, when you define properties that mismatch with the title, Spring will unleash the InvalidConfigurationPropertyNameException.

How to deal with InvalidConfigurationPropertyNameException?

Leveraging the right troubleshooting principles and best programming practices, we can effectively handle this exception. Here are a few methods:

1. Correct the Configuration Property in application.properties:

The primary approach involves cross-checking your application.properties or application.yml file.

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myapp.title = Understanding InvalidConfigurationPropertyNameException

If the myapp.title property doesn’t coincide with the property name in the MyAppProperties class, it can cause a mismatch, thus leading to the offending exception.

2. Use the spring-boot-configuration-processor:

The spring-boot-configuration-processor automatically generates configuration metadata that provides auto-completion of configuration properties when working with an IDE.

Add the spring-boot-configuration-processor to your Maven’s pom.xml:

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<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId>
    <artifactId>spring-boot-configuration-processor</artifactId>
    <optional>true</optional>
</dependency>

In addition, remember to annotate your configuration class with @ConfigurationProperties.

Remember: to make full use of the spring-boot-configuration-processor, it requires an IDE that integrates with Spring - like Spring Tool Suite or IntelliJ IDEA.

3. Using Configuration Properties Validation:

Spring Boot also provides validation of @ConfigurationProperties out-of-the-box to catch any property binding issues early.

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import org.springframework.validation.annotation.Validated;

@Validated
@Configuration
@ConfigurationProperties(prefix = "myapp")
public class MyAppProperties {
    //...
}

By using the @Validated annotation, your configuration properties class will be validated at startup and immediate failure will occur if invalid.

Conclusion

Efficiently navigating the InvalidConfigurationPropertyNameException in Spring Boot entails understanding the underlying configuration property binding process. A coherent process that begins with correctly defining property names in configuration classes, accurately corresponding them in your application.properties or application.yml, and embracing the spring-boot-configuration-processor for better IDE support. With these toolsets, your journey with Spring Boot becomes less complex and more productive.

References

  1. Spring Official Docs for Exceptions
  2. Handling Exceptions in Spring
  3. Spring Boot @ConfigurationProperties Validation
  4. Spring Boot Configuration Properties
  5. The Spring Boot Maven Plugin
This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.