What You Need to Know: Spring Framework’s End-of-Life Dates

As developers, staying informed about the lifecycle of the technologies we rely on is crucial. Spring Framework, one of the most popular Java application frameworks, has specific end-of-life (EOL) dates for its various versions. Understanding these dates ensures your applications remain secure, supported, and up-to-date.

Why End-of-Life Dates Matter

EOL dates indicate when a particular software product version will no longer receive updates, including critical security patches and bug fixes. Running applications on unsupported versions can expose you to vulnerabilities and compatibility issues, making it essential to plan your upgrades accordingly.

Spring Framework Version End-of-Life Dates

Here’s a comprehensive list of the EOL dates for the major versions of Spring Framework:

Spring Framework 6.1

• Release Date: November 16, 2023
• OSS Support End Date: August 31, 2025
• Commercial Support End Date: December 31, 2026

Spring Framework 6.0

• Release Date: November 16, 2022
• OSS Support End Date: August 31, 2024
• Commercial Support End Date: December 31, 2025

Spring Framework 5.3 (LTS)

• Release Date: October 27, 2020
• OSS Support End Date: August 31, 2024
• Commercial Support End Date: December 31, 2026

Spring Framework 5.2

• Release Date: September 30, 2019
• OSS Support End Date: December 31, 2021
• Commercial Support End Date: December 31, 2023

Spring Framework 5.1

• Release Date: September 21, 2018
• OSS Support End Date: December 31, 2020
• Commercial Support End Date: December 31, 2022

Spring Framework 5.0

• Release Date: September 28, 2017
• OSS Support End Date: December 31, 2020
• Commercial Support End Date: Unavailable

Key Considerations for Managing End-of-Life Transitions

1. Plan Ahead: Start planning your migration well before the EOL date. This gives you ample time to test and ensure your applications are fully compatible with the newer version.
2. Leverage Extended Support: If you can’t upgrade before the EOL date, consider purchasing Never-Ending support from HeroDevs to maintain security and stability. Learn more about Never-Ending Support for Spring.
3. Stay Informed: Regularly check the official Spring Framework website and community forums for updates on EOL dates and new version releases.
4. Update Dependencies: Ensure all dependencies are compatible with the newer Spring version to avoid compatibility issues during the upgrade process.

Conclusion

Keeping track of Spring Framework’s end-of-life dates is crucial for maintaining the health and security of your applications. By planning your upgrades and staying informed, you can ensure that your projects run smoothly and securely.

For more detailed guidance and assistance on migrating to supported versions of Spring Framework, feel free to contact us at HeroDevs. Our team of experts is here to help you navigate the upgrade process seamlessly.