Pointcut expressions in Spring Boot - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding basic pointcut expression syntax

Which of the following pointcut expressions matches all methods in any class within the package com.example.service?

A within(com.example.service.*)

B execution(* com.example.service..*.*(..))

C execution(* com.example.service.*.*(..))

D within(com.example.service..*)

💡 Hint

Remember that execution matches method executions and within matches types. The single dot . matches one package level, double dot .. matches any subpackage levels.

The expression execution(* com.example.service.*.*(..)) matches any method in any class directly inside the com.example.service package. The single dot . means exactly one package level. The within expressions match types. The double dot .. matches subpackages, so execution(* com.example.service..*.*(..)) matches subpackages too, which is broader than asked.

❓ component_behavior

intermediate

Effect of pointcut on method interception

Given the pointcut expression execution(public * *(..)), which methods will be intercepted?

A All public methods regardless of class or package

B Only public methods in the current package

C All methods with any visibility in any class

D Only methods named 'public' in any class

💡 Hint

Look at the modifiers and wildcards in the expression carefully.

The expression execution(public * *(..)) matches any method with public visibility, any return type, any method name, and any number of parameters in any class or package.

📝 Syntax

advanced

Identify the syntax error in pointcut expression

Which option contains a syntax error in the pointcut expression?

A execution(* com.example.service.*.*(String, ..))

B execution(* com.example.service.*.*(String,))

C execution(* com.example.service.*.*(..))

D execution(* com.example..service.*.*(..))

💡 Hint

Check the parameter pattern syntax carefully, especially commas and ellipsis.

Option B has a trailing comma after String in the parameter list (String,), which is invalid syntax in pointcut expressions. The ellipsis .. is used to indicate zero or more parameters and must be used correctly without trailing commas.

🔧 Debug

advanced

Why does this pointcut not match any method?

Consider this pointcut expression: execution(* com.example..*Service+.save*(..)). It does not match any methods in your project. What is the most likely reason?

A The pointcut expects classes ending with 'Service' or subclasses, but your classes do not extend any superclass

B The '+' symbol is used incorrectly; it should be '*' to match subclasses

C The package pattern <code>com.example..</code> is invalid and causes no matches

D The method name pattern <code>save*</code> does not match because methods are named exactly 'save'

💡 Hint

Recall what the '+' symbol means in pointcut expressions.

The '+' symbol means matching the specified class and all its subclasses. If your classes do not extend any superclass named '*Service', then no classes match the pattern *Service+. This causes the pointcut to match no methods.

❓ lifecycle

expert

Order of pointcut evaluation in Spring AOP

In Spring AOP, when multiple pointcuts apply to the same method, in what order are they evaluated?

A Pointcuts are evaluated randomly at runtime

B Pointcuts are evaluated based on their declaration order in the XML configuration

C Pointcuts are evaluated in the order they are declared in the aspect class

D Pointcuts are evaluated based on the order of aspect precedence and then method signature specificity

💡 Hint

Think about how Spring resolves multiple aspects and pointcuts.

Spring evaluates pointcuts based on aspect precedence (which can be controlled by @Order or Ordered interface) and then by method signature specificity. This ensures predictable and consistent advice execution order.