There are two methods of using Spring (Annotations/XML). In XML we specify everything in XML files. In annotations we use commands like <context:component-scan base-package="com.xyz" /> <aop:aspectj-autoproxy /> etc. Thus in annotations there is complete scan of packages to identify dependencies etc. So being a beginner i want to know its overall effect on our application.
EDIT
Please don’t make a fight over initialization of Spring. Its a general question. You can take an example of Hibernate also. Struts or anything else.
Missed out Java Config. So about that too.
To my knowledge a good mix up of both patterns will lead to a good application.
XML – as it grows become more verbose and tough to maintain.
Annotations – will make the code more easier to read. Well you can maintain the scanning strictly at the package levels by configuring in the xml so it should not affect your application.
Since the xml is a mandatory thing for initial spring instantiations you cannot avoid that. So ideally a mix up will be a great thing.