[jjmojojjmojo]

The biggest thing that grabbed me about boot was the scripting capability. To be able to build concise little applications - 'complete', 'real' applications that can be distributed and deployed - is very freeing. The point of the article was to illustrate how you can get running quickly using that feature and logically evolve into "serious" project-based work as needed.

Ultimately there's more to being productive as a beginner than using the REPL.