Learn how to setup OpenApi and Swagger in Spring Boot using SpringDoc

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting Up Swagger in a Spring Boot Application
3. Using Spring Dock OpenAPI
4. Configuring the Spring Dock OpenUI Dependency
5. Implementing Swagger in Your Application
6. Customizing the Swagger UI
7. Changing the API Path
8. Disabling Swagger in Your Application
9. Conclusion
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Introduction

1. Setting Up Swagger in a Spring Boot Application

1.1 Configuring Swagger Using Spring Fox Maven Library

1.2 Enabling the Swagger UI in the Application

2. Using Spring Dock OpenAPI

2.1 Understanding the Benefits of Spring Dock OpenAPI

2.2 Adding the Spring Dock OpenUI Dependency

3. Configuring the Spring Dock OpenUI Dependency

3.1 Adding the Maven Dependency

3.2 Running the Application

4. Implementing Swagger in Your Application

4.1 Accessing Swagger UI

4.2 Viewing the APIs and Schemas

5. Customizing the Swagger UI

5.1 Changing the Appearance of Swagger UI

5.2 Adding Additional Information to Swagger UI

6. Changing the API Path

6.1 Modifying the Default API Path

6.2 Accessing the OpenAPI Definition

7. Disabling Swagger in Your Application

7.1 Disabling Swagger UI

7.2 Preventing Unauthorized Access to Swagger UI

8. Conclusion

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Article

Introduction

Hello, everyone! In this article, we will be discussing how to configure and use Swagger in a Spring Boot application. Swagger is a powerful tool that allows us to document and Visualize RESTful APIs easily. We will explore two different approaches: using the Spring Fox Maven library and the Spring Dock OpenAPI library.

1. Setting Up Swagger in a Spring Boot Application

To set up Swagger in a Spring Boot application, there are a few steps involved. First, we need to configure Swagger using the Spring Fox Maven library. This library provides the necessary tools to generate Swagger documentation from our Spring Boot application. We will also enable the Swagger UI, which provides a user-friendly interface to Interact with our APIs.

1.1 Configuring Swagger Using Spring Fox Maven Library

The Spring Fox Maven library is a popular choice for integrating Swagger into Spring Boot applications. It includes three essential libraries that we need to import: Swagger-Annotations, Swagger-Core, and Swagger-UI. These libraries handle the generation and rendering of Swagger documentation.

1.2 Enabling the Swagger UI in the Application

Once we have configured Swagger using the Spring Fox Maven library, we can enable the Swagger UI in our Spring Boot application. The Swagger UI provides a graphical representation of our APIs, making it easier for developers to interact with the documentation. By accessing a specific URL, we can view all the APIs available in our application.

2. Using Spring Dock OpenAPI

Another approach to using Swagger in a Spring Boot application is by utilizing the Spring Dock OpenAPI library. This library, built on top of Swagger, requires minimal configuration and provides a comprehensive set of features. It is an excellent choice for developers who want a straightforward setup process.

2.1 Understanding the Benefits of Spring Dock OpenAPI

The Spring Dock OpenAPI library offers several benefits for developers. It simplifies the process of documenting and visualizing APIs, making it ideal for both students and professionals. The library allows us to document APIs easily, view request and response details, and organize all the information in one centralized place.

2.2 Adding the Spring Dock OpenUI Dependency

To use the Spring Dock OpenAPI library, we need to add a single Maven dependency to our Spring Boot application. This dependency, called "spring-dock-openui," does not require any additional configurations. It includes all the necessary tools and resources to set up Swagger documentation and the Swagger UI.

3. Configuring the Spring Dock OpenUI Dependency

Configuring the Spring Dock OpenUI dependency involves adding it to the dependency section of the application's Maven file. Once added, we can run the application and start using Swagger immediately. The Spring Dock OpenUI dependency simplifies the process by handling most of the configuration automatically.

3.1 Adding the Maven Dependency

To add the Spring Dock OpenUI dependency, open the Maven file of your application and locate the dependency section. Inside the dependency section, add the following Maven dependency:

<dependency>
    <groupId>org.springdoc</groupId>
    <artifactId>springdoc-openapi-ui</artifactId>
    <version>{enter version number}</version>
</dependency>

Replace "{enter version number}" with the desired version of the Spring Dock OpenUI library.

3.2 Running the Application

After adding the Maven dependency, save the file and run your Spring Boot application. The Spring Dock OpenUI dependency will be downloaded automatically, and the Swagger documentation will be generated. Once the application is up and running, you can access the Swagger UI by using the following URL: http://localhost:8080/swagger-ui.html.

4. Implementing Swagger in Your Application

Once the Swagger UI is accessible, You can start exploring the APIs and their associated request and response details. The Swagger UI provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to interact with the APIs directly from your browser. This makes it easier to understand the functionality of each API without going through the source code.

4.1 Accessing Swagger UI

To access the Swagger UI, open your preferred web browser and enter the following URL: http://localhost:8080/swagger-ui.html. This URL will redirect you to the Swagger UI page, where you can see a list of all the available APIs in your application. The Swagger UI provides a clean and intuitive interface for exploring and testing the APIs.

4.2 Viewing the APIs and Schemas

In the Swagger UI, you can view all the APIs defined in your application. Each API will have its associated endpoint, HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), and a brief description. Additionally, you can explore the request and response schemas to understand the expected data format for each API.

5. Customizing the Swagger UI

The Swagger UI provides various customization options that allow you to tailor the appearance and behavior of the interface according to your preferences. You can change the theme, add your company logo, and provide additional information about your APIs.

5.1 Changing the Appearance of Swagger UI

To change the appearance of the Swagger UI, you can modify the CSS file associated with the UI. By overriding certain CSS classes, you can customize the colors, fonts, and layout of the Swagger UI to match your branding or design preferences.

5.2 Adding Additional Information to Swagger UI

You can enhance the Swagger UI by adding extra information to your APIs. This can include details such as API version, contact information, license, terms of service, or any other Relevant information. By providing comprehensive documentation, you make it easier for other developers to understand and utilize your APIs effectively.

6. Changing the API Path

By default, the Swagger UI is accessible via a specific URL path. However, you can modify this path to suit your needs. Changing the API path allows you to Create a more user-friendly URL or Align it with your application's existing routing structure.

6.1 Modifying the Default API Path

To modify the default API path, you can configure it within your Spring Boot application. By specifying a different path, you can access the Swagger UI using a URL that aligns with your application's routing structure.

6.2 Accessing the OpenAPI Definition

In addition to the Swagger UI, you can access the OpenAPI definition for your application. This definition provides a comprehensive overview of your APIs, including details such as endpoint paths, request and response schemas, and authentication requirements. By accessing the OpenAPI definition, you can retrieve all the necessary information programmatically.

7. Disabling Swagger in Your Application

There may be cases where you need to disable Swagger temporarily or permanently in your application. This can be done by modifying the application configuration or adding specific annotations.

7.1 Disabling Swagger UI

To disable the Swagger UI, you can modify the application configuration to prevent it from being accessible. By setting a configuration flag or modifying the endpoint path, you can effectively disable Swagger UI in your application.

7.2 Preventing Unauthorized Access to Swagger UI

If you want to restrict access to the Swagger UI to authorized users only, you can add security measures to your application. This can include implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the Swagger UI and its associated APIs.

8. Conclusion

In this article, we explored how to configure and use Swagger in a Spring Boot application. We discussed two approaches: using the Spring Fox Maven library and the Spring Dock OpenAPI library. Both approaches offer a straightforward setup process and provide an easy way to document and visualize your APIs. By using Swagger, you can enhance the development experience and make it easier for developers to understand and utilize your APIs effectively.

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Swagger? A: Swagger is a powerful tool that allows developers to document and visualize RESTful APIs easily. It provides a user-friendly interface to interact with APIs and simplifies the development process.

Q: How can I set up Swagger in a Spring Boot application? A: There are multiple ways to set up Swagger in a Spring Boot application. You can use libraries like Spring Fox Maven or Spring Dock OpenAPI to configure and enable Swagger in your application.

Q: Can I customize the appearance of the Swagger UI? A: Yes, you can customize the appearance of the Swagger UI by modifying the CSS file associated with the UI. This allows you to match the UI with your branding or design preferences.

Q: How can I disable Swagger temporarily or permanently in my application? A: To disable Swagger, you can modify the application configuration or add specific annotations to prevent its accessibility. This can be useful when you no longer require Swagger in your application.

Q: Is Swagger only used for documentation purposes? A: No, Swagger not only provides documentation but also allows you to interact with your APIs directly from the Swagger UI. It simplifies the process of testing and understanding the functionality of each API.

Q: Can I restrict access to the Swagger UI to authorized users only? A: Yes, you can add security measures to restrict access to the Swagger UI. By implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms, you can ensure that only authorized users can access the Swagger UI and its associated APIs.