[Solved] What is wrong with this controller code?@RequestMapping("api") public class ProductController { @RequestMapping("/list") public String listProducts() { return "products"; } } | Spring Boot

Spring Boot - REST Controllers

What is wrong with this controller code?

@RequestMapping("api")
public class ProductController {
  @RequestMapping("/list")
  public String listProducts() { return "products"; }
}

AClass must be annotated with @RestController or @Controller.

BMissing leading slash in class-level @RequestMapping path.

CMethod-level @RequestMapping cannot have a path.

DMethod must return ResponseEntity, not String.

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Identify missing controller annotation
The class is missing @Controller or @RestController. Without it, the class is not registered as a handler despite having @RequestMapping.
Step 2: Validate other options
Method-level paths are allowed. Leading slash is optional (Spring prepends it). Returning String is valid for view names or with @ResponseBody.
Final Answer:
Class must be annotated with @RestController or @Controller. -> Option A
Quick Check:
Controller annotation required [OK]

Quick Trick: Use @RestController or @Controller on controller classes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

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What is wrong with this controller code?