In spite of using full forms of value, reference elements springs also support shortcuts.
Example 1:
<property name="sampleProperty" value="sample"/>
<constructor-arg value=" sample "/>
<entry key="myKey" value=" sample "/>
Example 2:
<property name="sampleProperty">
<ref bean="sampleBean">
</property>
<constructor-arg>
<ref bean="sampleBean">
</constructor-arg>
These both examples are equivalent to the following.
<property name="sampleProperty" ref="sampleBean"/>
<constructor-arg ref="sampleBean"/>