Quickstarters
How to Build a Backend for Spring Boot?

33min
Introduction
In this tutorial, you will learn how to build a backend for Spring Boot using Back4App. 
We will walk through connecting your Spring Boot application (a Java-based web application leveraging the Spring Framework) to essential Back4App features—like database management, Cloud Code, REST and GraphQL APIs, user authentication, file storage, and real-time queries. 
By following these steps, you will be able to seamlessly integrate the feature of Spring Boot with the powerful Parse Platform provided by Back4App.
Leveraging Back4App as your backend greatly simplifies your database connection, security configuration, and deployment process. 
It saves you from the complexities of server setup and manual database administration, so you can focus on writing the business logic of your spring boot application. 
By the end of this tutorial, you will have a solid, scalable backend that can form the foundation for your web apps or java application running on spring web and easily expand to production-ready deployments.
Prerequisites
To complete this guide, make sure you have the following in place:
A Back4App account and a new Back4App project
Getting Started with Back4app.
Sign up for free if you don’t have an account.
A Java development environment
You will need to install Java SE 8 or above and Maven or Gradle. This is essential for setting up your development environment.
Spring Boot basics
Familiarity with creating a spring boot application. If needed, refer to the Spring Boot Official Docs to learn about spring security, controllers, services, and more.
Basic knowledge of Parse/Back4App
Knowing how the Parse platform works is beneficial. If you’re new, review Back4App’s docs.
Having these prerequisites ready ensures a smooth tutorial experience. Let’s get started on building your backend using Back4App!
Step 1 – Creating a New Project on Back4App and Connecting
Why This Step is Needed
Creating a new Back4App project is the foundation of your backend. This will hold your database, configuration settings, security rules, and allow you to manage your spring boot application data via the Parse Platform.
Creating a Back4App Project
Log in to your Back4App account.
Click “New App” on your Back4App dashboard.
Provide a name for your project (e.g., “SpringBoot-Backend-Tutorial”) and complete the setup.
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Once done, you will see your new project listed in the Back4App dashboard.
Installing and Configuring the Parse Java SDK (Optional)
Back4App uses the Parse Platform, which provides a Java SDK that can integrate with your Spring Boot app. If you prefer, you can also make REST/GraphQL calls directly from your java developer code. However, using the SDK can simplify operations like data saving, queries, and user authentication.
Maven Dependency (example):
XML
<dependency>
  <groupId>com.parse</groupId>
  <artifactId>parse</artifactId>
  <version>1.26.0</version>
</dependency>
<dependency>
  <groupId>com.parse</groupId>
  <artifactId>parse</artifactId>
  <version>1.26.0</version>
</dependency>
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In your Spring Boot main application class or a configuration class, initialize Parse:
Java
@SpringBootApplication
public class SpringBootBackendTutorialApplication {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Initialize Parse before running the application
        Parse.initialize(new Parse.Configuration.Builder("YOUR_APP_ID")
            .server("https://parseapi.back4app.com/")
            .clientKey("YOUR_CLIENT_KEY")
            .build()
        );
        
        SpringApplication.run(SpringBootBackendTutorialApplication.class, args);
    }
}
@SpringBootApplication
public class SpringBootBackendTutorialApplication {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Initialize Parse before running the application
        Parse.initialize(new Parse.Configuration.Builder("YOUR_APP_ID")
            .server("https://parseapi.back4app.com/")
            .clientKey("YOUR_CLIENT_KEY")
            .build()
        );
        
        SpringApplication.run(SpringBootBackendTutorialApplication.class, args);
    }
}
﻿
Be sure to replace “YOUR_APP_ID” and “YOUR_CLIENT_KEY” with the credentials found in your Back4App dashboard. You can see them under App Settings or Security & Keys.
Step 2 – Setting Up the Database
1. Creating a Data Model
Your database connection is handled by Back4App. You can create data models (classes) in the dashboard or let them be created on the fly by saving objects through the Parse SDK. For better control, go to the Back4App Dashboard and:
Click “Database”
Create a New Class (e.g., “Todo”)
Add columns (fields) like title (String) and isCompleted (Boolean)
Create New Class
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2. Creating a Data Model Using the AI Agent
Back4App offers an AI Agent that can generate a schema for you:
Open the AI Agent from the Dashboard or the menu.
Describe your data model in plain language.
Let the AI Agent handle the creation of relevant classes and fields.
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3. Reading and Writing Data using SDK
If you have added the Parse Java SDK to your spring framework project, you can interact with classes as follows:
Java
@Service
public class TodoService {

    public ParseObject createTodoItem(String title, boolean isCompleted) throws ParseException {
        ParseObject todo = new ParseObject("Todo");
        todo.put("title", title);
        todo.put("isCompleted", isCompleted);
        return todo.save(); // Throws ParseException if something goes wrong
    }

    public List<ParseObject> fetchTodos() throws ParseException {
        ParseQuery<ParseObject> query = ParseQuery.getQuery("Todo");
        return query.find(); 
    }
}
@Service
public class TodoService {

    public ParseObject createTodoItem(String title, boolean isCompleted) throws ParseException {
        ParseObject todo = new ParseObject("Todo");
        todo.put("title", title);
        todo.put("isCompleted", isCompleted);
        return todo.save(); // Throws ParseException if something goes wrong
    }

    public List<ParseObject> fetchTodos() throws ParseException {
        ParseQuery<ParseObject> query = ParseQuery.getQuery("Todo");
        return query.find(); 
    }
}
﻿
4. Reading and Writing Data using REST API
Alternatively, you can interact with the Back4App database via REST endpoints:
Bash
curl -X POST \
  -H "X-Parse-Application-Id: YOUR_APPLICATION_ID" \
  -H "X-Parse-REST-API-Key: YOUR_REST_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"title": "Buy groceries", "isCompleted": false}' \
  https://parseapi.back4app.com/classes/Todo
curl -X POST \
  -H "X-Parse-Application-Id: YOUR_APPLICATION_ID" \
  -H "X-Parse-REST-API-Key: YOUR_REST_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"title": "Buy groceries", "isCompleted": false}' \
  https://parseapi.back4app.com/classes/Todo
﻿
5. Reading and Writing Data using GraphQL API
Back4App also has a GraphQL endpoint:
GraphQL
mutation {
  createTodo(input: {
    fields: {
      title: "Clean the house"
      isCompleted: false
    }
  }) {
    todo {
      objectId
      title
      isCompleted
    }
  }
}
mutation {
  createTodo(input: {
    fields: {
      title: "Clean the house"
      isCompleted: false
    }
  }) {
    todo {
      objectId
      title
      isCompleted
    }
  }
}
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6. Working with Live Queries (Optional)
If your web apps need real-time updates, you can enable Live Queries in the Back4App Dashboard and connect your spring web application. Typically, you would subscribe to events in a Java client or use front-end tools that support Live Queries.
Step 3 – Applying Security with ACLs and CLPs
Brief Overview
Back4App’s ACLs (Access Control Lists) and CLPs (Class-Level Permissions) safeguard your data. This can supplement or complement spring security to further protect your java application.
Step-by-Step
Class-Level Permissions (CLPs): Configure them in the “Database” tab under “Class-Level Permissions.”
ACLs: Set object-level permissions in code or from the dashboard.
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For more details, see the App Security Guidelines.
Step 4 – Writing Cloud Code Functions
Why Cloud Code
Cloud Code lets you move or protect sensitive business logic onto the server, running in a controlled environment. This is particularly helpful if you want logic that shouldn’t be exposed on the client side or want to integrate external APIs.
Example Function
JS
Parse.Cloud.define('calculateTextLength', async (request) => {
  const { text } = request.params;
  if (!text) throw new Error('No text provided');
  return { length: text.length };
});
Parse.Cloud.define('calculateTextLength', async (request) => {
  const { text } = request.params;
  if (!text) throw new Error('No text provided');
  return { length: text.length };
});
﻿
Deployment
Use the Back4App CLI or the Back4App Dashboard to deploy your code. You can then call the function directly from Spring Boot through the Java SDK, REST, or GraphQL.
Step 5 – Configuring Authentication
User Authentication
The Parse User class handles user sign-up, login, and session tokens. You can integrate this into your spring boot application by either calling the Java SDK or using REST calls.
Sign Up (Java SDK example):
Java
public ParseUser signUpUser(String username, String password, String email) throws ParseException {
    ParseUser user = new ParseUser();
    user.setUsername(username);
    user.setPassword(password);
    user.setEmail(email);
    return user.signUp(); // returns the newly created user
}
public ParseUser signUpUser(String username, String password, String email) throws ParseException {
    ParseUser user = new ParseUser();
    user.setUsername(username);
    user.setPassword(password);
    user.setEmail(email);
    return user.signUp(); // returns the newly created user
}
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Social Login
For providers such as Google or Facebook, parse supports OAuth-based logins. Check the Social Login Docs for additional setup details.
Step 6 – Handling File Storage
Setting Up File Storage
Use the ParseFile class to upload files. Or, you can use REST if you prefer:
Java
// Example using Java SDK
ParseFile file = new ParseFile("myImage.png", fileBytes);
file.save(); // uploads to Back4App

ParseObject photo = new ParseObject("Photo");
photo.put("imageFile", file);
photo.save();
// Example using Java SDK
ParseFile file = new ParseFile("myImage.png", fileBytes);
file.save(); // uploads to Back4App

ParseObject photo = new ParseObject("Photo");
photo.put("imageFile", file);
photo.save();
﻿
Example
Bash
curl -X POST \
  -H "X-Parse-Application-Id: YOUR_APP_ID" \
  -H "X-Parse-REST-API-Key: YOUR_REST_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: text/plain" \
  --data-binary '@myImage.png' \
  https://parseapi.back4app.com/files/myImage.png
curl -X POST \
  -H "X-Parse-Application-Id: YOUR_APP_ID" \
  -H "X-Parse-REST-API-Key: YOUR_REST_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: text/plain" \
  --data-binary '@myImage.png' \
  https://parseapi.back4app.com/files/myImage.png
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Step 7 – Email Verification and Password Reset
Overview
To ensure secure user accounts in your java developer workflow, enable Email Verification and Password Reset on your Back4App dashboard.
Configuration
Enable Email Verification under your app’s Email Settings.
Set up email templates for better user experience.
Step 8 – Scheduling Tasks with Cloud Jobs
What Cloud Jobs Do
Cloud Jobs let you automate tasks such as periodic data cleanup, sending daily notifications, or system-wide maintenance. Here’s an example job:
JS
Parse.Cloud.job('cleanupOldTodos', async () => {
  const query = new Parse.Query('Todo');
  // Example: remove todos older than 30 days
  // ...
  // implement the job logic here
});
Parse.Cloud.job('cleanupOldTodos', async () => {
  const query = new Parse.Query('Todo');
  // Example: remove todos older than 30 days
  // ...
  // implement the job logic here
});
﻿
Schedule it from your Back4App dashboard under Server Settings > Background Jobs.
Scheduling a Cloud Job
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Step 9 – Integrating Webhooks
Definition and Configuration
Webhooks let your java application send or receive event-driven HTTP requests. For instance, you can notify an external service whenever an object is created in your Back4App database.
Go to the Back4App dashboard > More > WebHooks
Add Webhook with the target endpoint
Set up triggers for events (create, update, delete)
Adding a Webhook
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Step 10 – Exploring the Back4App Admin Panel
Where to Find It
The Back4App Admin App is a model-centric, user-friendly interface for non-technical team members to view and modify data. Go to App Dashboard > More > Admin App to enable it.
Enable Admin App
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Choose a subdomain and create your first admin user. Then log in to manage your data without touching code.
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Conclusion
Congratulations on completing your Spring Boot integration with Back4App! You’ve seen how to build a backend for spring boot that manages data, authentication, files, real-time subscriptions, and scheduled jobs—all with minimal overhead. 
This robust, scalable approach allows you to focus on writing business logic rather than worrying about low-level server or database details.
You have:
Created a Back4App project and connected it to your spring framework.
Learned how to manage your database connection with classes and data models.
Implemented ACLs, CLPs, Cloud Code functions, and scheduling with Cloud Jobs.
Configured file storage, user authentication, and advanced features like webhooks.
With these fundamentals, your spring boot application is ready to grow into a production-ready system with full-fledged spring security or more intricate data relations. 
We encourage you to explore other capabilities of Back4App and the feature of spring boot that speed up development of modern web apps.
Next Steps
Scale Up for Production: Optimize performance, add caching, and configure advanced roles in CLPs.
Add More Integrations: Connect to external services (payment gateways, analytics, etc.) via Cloud Code or Webhooks.
Consult Official Docs: Deepen your understanding of Back4App’s documentation and advanced Parse techniques.
Explore Tutorials: Look for specialized tutorials on real-time chat, push notifications, or location-based services. Combine them with your Spring Boot setup to build cutting-edge web applications.
By leveraging the synergy between Spring Boot and Back4App, you can rapidly develop, maintain, and scale your java application while keeping the codebase clean and the deployment process straightforward.
Updated 16 Jan 2025
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