[milos_cohagen]

Spring can be configured with zero XML. And it's numerous components can be used a-la-carte. Far and away it's the IOC and TX mgmt at the core. The frameworks source is pretty straight forward and it has excellent docs.

If you are looking at "big" frameworks in other language eco-systems, I can't help but think Spring should be considered quality stuff.

You have to keep in mind Spring is a Java framework, and therefore should reflect the stable, conservative nature of the language itself.

Spring stack traces can get long'ish, but they are very easy to understand. Take a look at a Clojure stack trace and you'll realize how simple Spring's are.