Deploying a DB-backed app

Shipping a Spring Boot app with a database involves several strategies. The optimal choice depends on your application's scale and deployment environment.

1. Embedded Database (Development/Testing): Ideal for local development and testing. H2, HSQLDB are lightweight options. No separate database setup is needed.

spring.datasource.url=jdbc:h2:mem:testdb
spring.datasource.driverClassName=org.h2.Driver
spring.datasource.username=sa
spring.datasource.password=
spring.jpa.hibernate.ddl-auto=create-drop //Caution: drops on restart

2. External Database (Production): Use PostgreSQL, MySQL, or similar for production. Requires a separate database server instance. Configure connection details in application.properties or application.yml.

spring.datasource.url=jdbc:postgresql://localhost:5432/mydb
spring.datasource.username=dbuser
spring.datasource.password=dbpassword
spring.jpa.hibernate.ddl-auto=validate  //Best practice for production

3. Database Migration: Use tools like Flyway or Liquibase to manage database schema changes across environments. This ensures consistency.

4. Deployment: Consider containerization (Docker) for consistent deployments across environments. Cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) simplify deployment and scaling.

5. Data Backup & Restore: Implement regular database backups and a robust restore procedure for disaster recovery.

Remember to adjust database connection details and migration strategies based on your specific database and deployment environment. Choose the appropriate spring.jpa.hibernate.ddl-auto setting for each environment (e.g., validate for production). Always prioritize security by securing database credentials appropriately.