Difference between the annotations @GetMapping and @RequestMapping(method = RequestMethod.GET)

As you can see here:

Specifically, @GetMapping is a composed annotation that acts as a shortcut for @RequestMapping(method = RequestMethod.GET).

Difference between @GetMapping & @RequestMapping

@GetMapping supports the consumes attribute like @RequestMapping.

@RequestMapping is a class level

@GetMapping is a method-level

With sprint Spring 4.3. and up things have changed. Now you can use @GetMapping on the method that will handle the http request. The class-level @RequestMapping specification is refined with the (method-level)@GetMapping annotation

Here is an example:

@Slf4j
@Controller
@RequestMapping("/orders")/* The @Request-Mapping annotation, when applied
                            at the class level, specifies the kind of requests 
                            that this controller handles*/  

public class OrderController {

@GetMapping("/current")/*@GetMapping paired with the classlevel
                        @RequestMapping, specifies that when an 
                        HTTP GET request is received for /order, 
                        orderForm() will be called to handle the request..*/

public String orderForm(Model model) {

model.addAttribute("order", new Order());

return "orderForm";
}
}

Prior to Spring 4.3, it was @RequestMapping(method=RequestMethod.GET)

Extra reading from a book authored by Craig Walls

Short answer:

There is no difference in semantic.

Specifically, @GetMapping is a composed annotation that acts as a shortcut for @RequestMapping(method = RequestMethod.GET).

Further reading:

RequestMapping can be used at class level:

This annotation can be used both at the class and at the method level. In most cases, at the method level applications will prefer to use one of the HTTP method specific variants @GetMapping, @PostMapping, @PutMapping, @DeleteMapping, or @PatchMapping.

while GetMapping only applies to method:

Annotation for mapping HTTP GET requests onto specific handler methods.

https://docs.spring.io/spring-framework/docs/current/javadoc-api/org/springframework/web/bind/annotation/GetMapping.html

https://docs.spring.io/spring-framework/docs/current/javadoc-api/org/springframework/web/bind/annotation/RequestMapping.html

                         `@RequestMapping` since 2.5

=> Can handle all HTTP methods

=> Applicable to class and method

=> Can be used as a substitute of @Controller and @RestController, If we use it along with @Component.

                        `@GetMapping` since 4.3

=> Can handle only GET method of HTTP

=> Applicable to method only

@GetMapping is a specific type of @RequestMapping(method = RequestMethod.GET). Both supports consumes

1. @RequestMapping supports consumes even with method=GET, while @GetMapping doesn't supports consumes.
2. @RequestMapping is Method & Type level annotation, while @GetMapping is a Method level annotation

Other than that @GetMapping is same as @RequestMapping(method=RequestMethod.GET)

1. @GetMapping is the shortcut for @RequestMapping(method = RequestMethod.GET)

2. @RequestMapping is a class level

3. @GetMapping is a method-level

4. The @RequestMapping annotation is used to map web requests to specific handler classes and functions. This annotations key advantage is that it may be used on both the controller class and methods.

5. It is always advised to be specific while declaring @RequestMapping on the controller methods as in most mapping handler classes, @Getmapping is not used.