Spring Boot is a powerful, open-source Java-based framework used to create stand-alone, production-ready applications with minimal configuration. It is built on top of the Spring Framework and simplifies the process of building web applications and microservices by offering features like auto-configuration, embedded servers (such as Tomcat or Jetty), and easy dependency management through Spring Initializr. Spring Boot promotes rapid development and reduces boilerplate code, making it ideal for building scalable, enterprise-level applications. It supports RESTful web services, integrates seamlessly with databases, security, and messaging systems, and works well in cloud-based and containerized environments. With its opinionated setup and convention-over-configuration approach, Spring Boot accelerates development while maintaining flexibility and robust architecture, making it a top choice for Java backend development in the industry.