ApplicationContext ctx = new ClassPathXmlApplicationContext(
\"com/springinaction/springidol/spring-idol.xml\");
Performer performer = (Performer) ctx.getBean(\"
Assuming the bean is a singleton, and isn't configured for lazy initialisation, then it's created when the context is started up. getBean() just fishes it out.
Lazy-init beans will only be initialised when first referenced, but this is not the default. Scoped beans (e.g. prototype-scoped) will also only be created when first referenced.