What is the difference between @SpringBootConfiguration vs @Configuration?

SpringBootConfiguration

Indicates that a class provides Spring Boot application @Configuration. Can be used as an alternative to the Spring's standard @Configuration annotation so that configuration can be found automatically (for example in tests). Application should only ever include one @SpringBootConfiguration and most idiomatic Spring Boot applications will inherit it from @SpringBootApplication.

Source

Documentation on SpringBootConfiguration


According to Spring Boot Document (hierarchy below), we can say that @Configuration is a part of @SpringBootConfiguration which ultimately have @SpringBootApplication

@SpringBootApplication
-------> @SpringBootConfiguration
       -------> @Configuration

@SpringBootApplication

Target(ElementType.TYPE)
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@Documented
@Inherited
@SpringBootConfiguration
@EnableAutoConfiguration
@ComponentScan(excludeFilters = {
        @Filter(type = FilterType.CUSTOM, classes = TypeExcludeFilter.class),
        @Filter(type = FilterType.CUSTOM,
                classes = AutoConfigurationExcludeFilter.class) })
public @interface SpringBootApplication {
...}

@SpringBootConfiguration

@Target(ElementType.TYPE)
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@Documented
@Configuration
public @interface SpringBootConfiguration {

}

@Configuration

    @Target(ElementType.TYPE)
    @Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
    @Documented
    @Component
    public @interface Configuration {
}