How do you evolve and version a Spring MVC API?

Prefers compatible evolution, uses Spring version resolution when a breaking contract requires it, and operates deprecation deliberately.

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TL;DR

I first evolve compatibly by adding optional response fields, accepting old request shapes during migration, and preserving existing meaning. When a breaking contract is necessary, Spring MVC can resolve a version from a path segment, header, query parameter, or media-type parameter and include the version in handler mapping. I choose one strategy consistently and document supported versions. Application deployment version remains separate from API contract version.

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Compatibility, version resolvers, handler mapping, deprecation headers, migration, and contract ownership.

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Core answer first, then checkpoints toward a stronger answer.

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Core answer
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Overview
Versioning is a migration mechanism for incompatible public contracts, not a substitute for compatibility discipline.
I first evolve compatibly by adding optional response fields, accepting old request shapes during migration, and preserving existing meaning. When a breaking contract is necessary, Spring MVC can resolve a version from a path segment, header, query parameter, or media-type parameter and include the version in handler mapping. I choose one strategy consistently and document supported versions. Application deployment version remains separate from API contract version.
Checkpoint
Stronger answer
Optional upgrade with examples, trade-offs, and sharper phrasing.
Versioned controllers share application services rather than copying domain logic. Unsupported or missing versions receive a stable error, and deprecation can be communicated through standard headers and documentation. Enum expansion, nullability, default changes, and stricter validation can break clients even when the path does not change. Consumer contract evidence determines when an old version can be removed.

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Details

Versioning every additive change.
Coupling API version to application release number.
Removing an old version without consumer evidence.

How do you evolve and version a Spring MVC API?

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