The Spring Framework comprises several modules that provide a range of services:
Inversion of Control container: configuration of application components and lifecycle management of Java objects
Aspect-oriented programming: enables implementation of cross-cutting routines
Data access: working with relational database management systems on the Java platform using JDBC and object-relational mapping tools
Transaction management: unifies several transaction management APIs and coordinates transactions for Java objects
Model-view-controller: an HTTP and Servlet-based framework providing hooks for extension and customization
Remote Access framework: configurative RPC-style export and import of Java objects over networks supporting RMI, CORBA and HTTP-based protocols including web services (SOAP)
Convention-over-configuration: a rapid application development solution for Spring-based enterprise applications is offered in the Spring Roo module
Batch processing: a framework for high-volume processing featuring reusable functions including logging/tracing, transaction management, job processing statistics, job restart, skip, and resource management
Authentication and authorization: configurable security processes that support a range of standards, protocols, tools and practices via the Spring Security sub-project (formerly Acegi Security System for Spring).
Remote Management: configurative exposure and management of Java objects for local or remote configuration via JMX
Messaging: configurative registration of message listener objects for transparent message consumption from message queues via JMS, improvement of message sending over standard JMS APIs
Testing: support classes for writing unit tests and integration tests
