Entry-Level Java Challenge

A simple Spring Boot REST API for managing employees.
This project demonstrates a basic CRUD service (Create, Read, Update, Delete) using an in-memory list as the data store.
It’s designed as an entry-level challenge to practice Java, Spring Boot, Gradle, and RESTful APIs.

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Requirements

• JDK 17
• Gradle Wrapper (included in the project, use ./gradlew)

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Build & Run

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/Hoffy923/entry-level-java-challenge.git
cd entry-level-java-challenge/api

Build and run the application:

# Clean and build
./gradlew clean build

# Run the Spring Boot app
./gradlew bootRun

The application will start on http://localhost:8080 by default.

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Endpoints

Get all employees

curl -i http://localhost:8080/employees

Create a new employee

curl -i -X POST http://localhost:8080/employees \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"id":1,"name":"Jett Hoffmeier","role":"Engineer"}'

Get employee by ID

curl -i http://localhost:8080/employees/1

Update employee by ID

curl -i -X PUT http://localhost:8080/employees/1 \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"name":"Jett H.","role":"Senior Engineer"}'

Delete employee by ID

curl -i -X DELETE http://localhost:8080/employees/1

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Example Session

# Start with empty list
curl -i http://localhost:8080/employees

# Add a new employee
curl -i -X POST http://localhost:8080/employees \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"id":1,"name":"Jett Hoffmeier","role":"Engineer"}'

# Fetch by ID
curl -i http://localhost:8080/employees/1

# Update the employee
curl -i -X PUT http://localhost:8080/employees/1 \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"name":"Jett H.","role":"Senior Engineer"}'

# Delete the employee
curl -i -X DELETE http://localhost:8080/employees/1

# Confirm deletion
curl -i http://localhost:8080/employees

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Testing (Optional)

Unit and integration tests are not required for this challenge.
If you decide to add them, please use JUnit 5 and follow standard conventions.

Resources:

• Spring Web Test tutorial
• JUnit 5 guide

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Notes

• Data is stored in an in-memory list and will reset each time the application restarts.
• This project focuses on demonstrating basic REST API structure, not persistence or database usage.

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License

This project is for educational purposes as part of an entry-level Java coding challenge.