JDO : Annotations

One of the things that JDK 1.5 provides that can be of some use is annotations, and JDO provides its own set. When selecting to use annotations please bear in mind the following :

  • You must have the jdo-api jar in your CLASSPATH since this provides the annotations

  • Annotations should really only be used for attributes of persistence that you won’t be changing at deployment. Things such as table and column names shouldn’t really be specified using annotations although it is permitted. Instead it would be better to put such information in an ORM MetaData file.

  • Annotations can be added in two places – for the class as a whole, or for a field in particular.

  • You can annotate fields or getters with field-level information. If you annotate fields then the fields are processed for persistence. If you annotate the methods (getters) then the methods (properties) are processed for persistence.

  • Annotations are prefixed by the @ symbol and can take properties (in brackets after the name, comma-separated)

Annotation Class/Field/Method Description

@PersistenceCapable

Class

Specifies that the class/interface is persistent. In the case of an interface this would utilise JDO2’s "persistent-interface" capabilities

@PersistenceAware

Class

Specifies that the class is not persistent but needs to be able to access fields of persistent classes

@Cacheable

Class

Specifies whether this class can be cached in a Level 2 cache or not.

@EmbeddedOnly

Class

Specifies that the class is persistent and can only be persisted embedded in another persistent class

@DatastoreIdentity

Class

Specifies the details for generating datastore-identity for this class

@Version

Class

Specifies any versioning process for objects of this class

@FetchPlans

Class

Defines a series of fetch plans

@FetchPlan

Class

Defines a fetch plan

@FetchGroups

Class

Defines a series of fetch groups for this class

@FetchGroup

Class

Defines a fetch group for this class

@Sequence

Class

Defines a sequence for use by this class

@Queries

Class

Defines a series of named queries for this class

@Query

Class

Defines a named query for this class

@Inheritance

Class

Specifies the inheritance model for persisting this class

@Discriminator

Class

Specifies any discriminator for this class to be used for determining object types

@PrimaryKey

Class

ORM : Defines the primary key constraint for this class

@Indices

Class

ORM : Defines a series of indices for this class

@Index

Class

ORM : Defines an index for the class as a whole (typically a composite index)

@Uniques

Class

ORM : Defines a series of unique constraints for this class

@Unique

Class

ORM : Defines a unique constraint for the class as a whole (typically a composite)

@ForeignKeys

Class

ORM : Defines a series of foreign-keys (typically for non-mapped columns/tables)

@ForeignKey

Class

ORM : Defines a foreign-key for the class as a whole (typically for non-mapped columns/tables)

@Joins

Class

ORM : Defines a series of joins to secondary tables from this table

@Join

Class

ORM : Defines a join to a secondary table from this table

@Columns

Class

ORM : Defines a series of columns that don’t have associated fields ("unmapped columns")

@Persistent

Field/Method

Defines the persistence for a field/property of the class

@Serialized

Field/Method

Defines this field as being stored serialised

@NotPersistent

Field/Method

Defines this field as being not persisted

@Transactional

Field/Method

Defines this field as being transactional (not persisted, but managed)

@Cacheable

Field/Method

Specifies whether this field/property can be cached in a Level 2 cache or not.

@PrimaryKey

Field/Method

Defines this field as being (part of) the primary key

@Element

Field/Method

Defines the details of elements of an array/collection stored in this field

@Key

Field/Method

Defines the details of keys of a map stored in this field

@Value

Field/Method

Defines the details of values of a map stored in this field

@Order

Field/Method

ORM : Defines the details of ordering of an array/collection stored in this field

@Join

Field/Method

ORM : Defines the join to a join table for a collection/array/map

@Embedded

Field/Method

ORM : Defines that this field is embedded and how it is embedded

@Columns

Field/Method

ORM : Defines a series of columns where a field is persisted

@Column

Field/Method

ORM : Defines a column where a field is persisted

@Index

Field/Method

ORM : Defines an index for the field

@Unique

Field/Method

ORM : Defines a unique constraint for the field

@ForeignKey

Field/Method

ORM : Defines a foreign key for the field

@Extensions

Class/Field/Method

Defines a series of JDO extensions

@Extension

Class/Field/Method

Defines a JDO extension


@PersistenceCapable

This annotation is used when you want to mark a class as persistent. It equates to the <class> MetaData element (though with only some of its attributes). Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

requiresExtent

String

Whether an extent is required for this class

true

embeddedOnly

String

Whether objects of this class can only be stored embedded in other objects

false

detachable

String

Whether objects of this class can be detached

false

identityType

IdentityType

Type of identity (APPLICATION, DATASTORE, NONDURABLE)

DATASTORE

objectIdClass

Class

Object-id class

table

String

ORM : Name of the table where this class is persisted

catalog

String

ORM : Name of the catalog where this table is persisted

schema

String

ORM : Name of the schema where this table is persisted

cacheable

String

Whether the class can be L2 cached. From JDO2.2

true

false

serializeRead

String

Whether to default reads of this object type to lock the object

false

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable(identityType=IdentityType.APPLICATION)
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}



@PersistenceAware

This annotation is used when you want to mark a class as being used in persistence but not being persistable. That is "persistence-aware" in JDO terminology. It has no attributes. Specified on the class.

@PersistenceAware
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}

See the documentation for Class Types



@Cacheable

This annotation is a shortcut for @PersistenceCapable(cacheable={value}) specifying whether the class can be cached in a Level 2 cache. Specified on the class. The default

Attribute Type Description Default

value

String

Whether the class is cacheable

true

 
@Cacheable("false")
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}



@EmbeddedOnly

This annotation is a shortcut for @PersistenceCapable(embeddedOnly="true") meaning that the class can only be persisted embedded into another class. It has no attributes. Specified on the class.

@EmbeddedOnly
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}



@Inheritance

Annotation used to define the inheritance for a class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

strategy

InheritanceStrategy

The inheritance strategy (NEW_TABLE, SUBCLASS_TABLE, SUPERCLASS_TABLE)

customStrategy

String

Name of a custom inheritance strategy (depending on what your JDO implementation supports

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Inheritance(strategy=InheritanceStrategy.NEW_TABLE)
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}



@Discriminator

Annotation used to define a discriminator to be stored with instances of this class and is used to determine the types of the objects being stored. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

strategy

DiscriminatorStrategy

The discriminator strategy (VALUE_MAP, CLASS_NAME, NONE)

value

String

Value to use for instances of this type when using strategy of VALUE_MAP

column

String

ORM : Name of the column to use to store the discriminator

indexed

String

ORM : Whether the discriminator column is to be indexed

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definitions used for storing the discriminator

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Inheritance(strategy=InheritanceStrategy.NEW_TABLE)
@Discriminator(strategy=DiscriminatorStrategy.CLASS_NAME)
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}



@DatastoreIdentity

Annotation used to define the identity when using datastore-identity for the class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

strategy

IdGeneratorStrategy

The inheritance strategy (NATIVE, SEQUENCE, IDENTITY, INCREMENT, UUIDSTRING, UUIDHEX)

customStrategy

String

Name of a custom id generation strategy (e.g "max", "auid"). This overrides the value of "strategy"

sequence

String

Name of the sequence to use (when using SEQUENCE strategy) - refer to @Sequence

column

String

ORM : Name of the column for the datastore identity

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definition for the column(s) for the datastore identity

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
@DatastoreIdentity(strategy=IdGeneratorStrategy.INCREMENT)
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}



@Version

Annotation used to define the versioning details for use with optimistic transactions. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

strategy

VersionStrategy

The version strategy (NONE, STATE_IMAGE, DATE_TIME, VERSION_NUMBER)

indexed

String

Whether the version column(s) is indexed

column

String

ORM : Name of the column for the version

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definition for the column(s) for the version

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Version(strategy=VersionStrategy.VERSION_NUMBER)
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}

See the documentation for transactions



@PrimaryKey

Annotation used to define the primary key constraint for a class. Maps across to the <primary-key> MetaData element. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

ORM : Name of the primary key constraint

column

String

ORM : Name of the column for this key

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definition for the column(s) of this key

 
@PersistenceCapable
@PrimaryKey(name="MYCLASS_PK")
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}



@FetchPlans

Annotation used to define a set of fetch plans. Specified on the class. Used by named queries

Attribute Type Description Default

value

FetchPlan[]

Array of fetch plans - see @FetchPlan annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
@FetchPlans({@FetchPlan(name="plan_3", maxFetchDepth=3, fetchGroups={"group1", "group4"}),
             @FetchPlan(name="plan_4", maxFetchDepth=2, fetchGroups={"group1", "group2"})})
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}

See the documentation for FetchGroups



@FetchPlan

Annotation used to define a fetch plan Is equivalent to the <fetch-plan> metadata element. Specified on the class. Used by named queries

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

Name of the FetchPlan

maxFetchDepth

int

Maximum fetch depth

1

fetchSize

int

Size hint for fetching query result sets

0

fetchGroups

String[]

Names of the fetch groups included in this FetchPlan.

 
@PersistenceCapable
@FetchPlan(name="plan_3", maxFetchDepth=3, fetchGroups={"group1", "group4"})
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}

See the documentation for FetchGroups



@FetchGroups

Annotation used to define a set of fetch groups for a class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

FetchGroup[]

Array of fetch groups - see @FetchGroup annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
@FetchGroups({@FetchGroup(name="one_two", members={@Persistent(name="field1"), @Persistent(name="field2")}),
              @FetchGroup(name="three", members={@Persistent(name="field3")})})
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    String field1;

    @Persistent
    String field2;

    @Persistent
    String field3;
    ...
}

See the documentation for FetchGroups



@FetchGroup

Annotation used to define a fetch group. Is equivalent to the <fetch-group> metadata element. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

Name of the fetch group

postLoad

String

Whether to call jdoPostLoad after loading this fetch group

members

Persistent[]

Definitions of the fields/properties to include in this fetch group

 
@PersistenceCapable
@FetchGroup(name="one_two", members={@Persistent(name="field1"), @Persistent(name="field2")})
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    String field1;

    @Persistent
    String field2;
    ...
}

See the documentation for FetchGroups



@Sequence

Annotation used to define a sequence generator. Is equivalent to the <sequence> metadata element. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

Name of the sequence

strategy

SequenceStrategy

Strategy for the sequence (NONTRANSACTIONAL, CONTIGUOUS, NONCONTIGUOUS)

datastoreSequence

String

Name of a datastore sequence that this maps to

factoryClass

Class

Factory class to use to generate the sequence

initialValue

int

Initial value of the sequence

1

allocationSize

int

Allocation size of the sequence

50

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions



@Queries

Annotation used to define a set of named queries for a class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

Query[]

Array of queries - see @Query annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Queries({@Query(name="PeopleCalledSmith", language="JDOQL",
                 value="SELECT FROM mydomain.Person WHERE surname == \"Smith\""),
          @Query(name="PeopleCalledJones", language="JDOQL",
                 value="SELECT FROM mydomain.Person WHERE surname == \"Jones\"")})
public class Person
{
    @Persistent
    String surname;

    ...
}



@Query

Annotation used to define a named query. Is equivalent to the <query> metadata element. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

Name of the query

value

String

The query string itself

language

String

Language of the query (JDOQL, SQL, …​)

JDOQL

unmodifiable

String

Whether the query is not modifiable at runtime

unique

String

Whether the query returns unique results (for SQL queries only)

resultClass

Class

Result class to use (for SQL queries only)

fetchPlan

String

Name of a named FetchPlan to use with this query

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Query(name="PeopleCalledSmith", language="JDOQL",
       value="SELECT FROM mydomain.Person WHERE surname == \"Smith\"")
public class Person
{
    @Persistent
    String surname;

    ...
}



@Indices

Annotation used to define a set of indices for a class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

Index[]

Array of indices - see @Index annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Indices({@Index(name="MYINDEX_1", members={"field1","field2"}), @Index(name="MYINDEX_2", members={"field3"})})
public class Person
{
    ...
}



@Index

Annotation used to define an index for the class as a whole typically being a composite index across multiple columns or fields/properties. Is equivalent to the <index> metadata element when specified under class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

ORM : Name of the index

table

String

ORM : Name of the table for the index

unique

String

ORM : Whether the index is unique

members

String[]

ORM : Names of the fields/properties that make up this index

columns

Column[]

ORM : Columns that make up this index

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Index(name="MY_COMPOSITE_IDX", members={"field1", "field2"})
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    String field1;

    @Persistent
    String field2;

    ...
}



@Uniques

Annotation used to define a set of unique constraints for a class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

Unique[]

Array of constraints - see @Unique annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Uniques({@Unique(name="MYCONST_1", members={"field1","field2"}), @Unique(name="MYCONST_2", members={"field3"})})
public class Person
{
    ...
}



@Unique

Annotation used to define a unique constraints for the class as a whole typically being a composite constraint across multiple columns or fields/properties. Is equivalent to the <unique> metadata element when specified under class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

ORM : Name of the constraint

table

String

ORM : Name of the table for the constraint

deferred

String

ORM : Whether the constraint is deferred

members

String[]

ORM : Names of the fields/properties that make up this constraint

columns

Column[]

ORM : Columns that make up this constraint

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Unique(name="MY_COMPOSITE_IDX", members={"field1", "field2"})
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    String field1;

    @Persistent
    String field2;

    ...
}



@ForeignKeys

Annotation used to define a set of foreign-key constraints for a class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

ForeignKey[]

Array of FK constraints - see @ForeignKey annotation



@ForeignKey

Annotation used to define a foreign-key constraint for the class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

ORM : Name of the constraint

table

String

ORM : Name of the table that the FK is to

deferred

String

ORM : Whether the constraint is deferred

unique

String

ORM : Whether the constraint is unique

deleteAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to apply to the FK to be used on deleting

ForeignKeyAction.RESTRICT

updateAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to apply to the FK to be used on updating

ForeignKeyAction.RESTRICT

members

String[]

ORM : Names of the fields/properties that compose this FK.

columns

Column[]

ORM : Columns that compose this FK.



@Joins

Annotation used to define a set of joins (to secondary tables) for a class. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

Join[]

Array of joins - see @Join annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Joins({@Join(table="MY_OTHER_TABLE", column="MY_PK_COL"),
        @Join(table="MY_SECOND_TABLE", column="MY_PK_COL")})
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent(table="MY_OTHER_TABLE")
    String myField;

    @Persistent(table="MY_SECOND_TABLE")
    String myField2;
    ...
}



@Join

Annotation used to specify a join for a secondary table. Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

table

String

ORM : Table name used when joining the PK of a FCO class table to a secondary table.

column

String

ORM : Name of the column used to join to the PK of the primary table (when only one column used)

outer

String

ORM : Whether to use an outer join when retrieving fields/properties stored in the secondary table

columns

Column[]

ORM : Name of the colums used to join to the PK of the primary table (when multiple columns used)

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable(name="MYTABLE")
@Join(table="MY_OTHER_TABLE", column="MY_PK_COL")
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent(name="MY_OTHER_TABLE")
    String myField;
    ...
}



@Columns

Annotation used to define the columns which have no associated field in the class. User should specify a minimum of @Column "name", "jdbcType", and "insertValue". Specified on the class.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

Column[]

Array of columns - see @Column annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Columns(@Column(name="MY_OTHER_COL", jdbcType="VARCHAR", insertValue="N/A")
public class MyClass
{
    ...
}



@Persistent

Annotation used to define the fields/properties to be persisted. Is equivalent to the <field> and <property> metadata elements. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

persistenceModifier

PersistenceModifier

Whether the field is persistent (PERSISTENT, TRANSACTIONAL, NONE)

[depends on field type]

defaultFetchGroup

String

Whether the field is part of the DFG

nullValue

NullValue

Required behaviour when inserting a null value for this field (NONE, EXCEPTION, DEFAULT).

NONE

embedded

String

Whether this field as a whole is embedded. Use @Embedded to specify details.

embeddedElement

String

Whether the element stored in this collection/array field/property is embedded

embeddedKey

String

Whether the key stored in this map field/property is embedded

embeddedValue

String

Whether the value stored in this map field/property is embedded

serialized

String

Whether this field/property as a whole is serialised

serializedElement

String

Whether the element stored in this collection/array field/property is serialised

serializedKey

String

Whether the key stored in this map field/property is serialised

serializedValue

String

Whether the value stored in this map field/property is serialised

dependent

String

Whether this field is dependent, deleting the related object when deleting this object

dependentElement

String

Whether the element stored in this field/property is dependent

dependentKey

String

Whether the key stored in this field/property is dependent

dependentValue

String

Whether the value stored in this field/property is dependent

primaryKey

String

Whether this field is (part of) the primary key

false

valueStrategy

IdGeneratorStrategy

Strategy to use when generating values for the field (NATIVE, SEQUENCE, IDENTITY, INCREMENT, UUIDSTRING, UUIDHEX)

customValueStrategy

String

Name of a custom id generation strategy (e.g "max", "auid"). This overrides the value of "valueStrategy"

sequence

String

Name of the sequence when using valueStrategy of SEQUENCE - refer to @Sequence

types

Class[]

Type(s) of field (when using interfaces/reference types).

mappedBy

String

Field in other class when the relation is bidirectional to signify the owner of the relation

table

String

ORM : Name of the table where this field is persisted. If this field is a collection/map/array then the table refers to a join table, otherwise this refers to a secondary table.

name

String

Name of the field when defining an embedded field.

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definition(s) for the columns into which this field is persisted. This is only typically used when specifying columns of a field of an embedded class.

cacheable

String

Whether the field/property can be L2 cached. From JDO2.2

true

false

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

recursionDepth

int

Recursion depth for this field when fetching. Only applicable when specified within @FetchGroup

1

loadFetchGroup

String

Name of a fetch group to activate when a load of this field is initiated (due to it being currently unloaded). Not used for getObjectById, queries, extents etc. Better to use @FetchGroup and define your groups

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent(primaryKey="true")
    String myField;
    ...
}

See the documentation for Field Types



@Serialized

This annotation is a shortcut for @Persistent(serialized="true") meaning that the field is stored serialized. It has no attributes. Specified on the field/method.

@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Serialized
    Object myField;
    ...
}



@NotPersistent

This annotation is a shortcut for @Persistent(persistenceModifier=PersistenceModifier.NONE) meaning that the field/property is not persisted. It has no attributes. Specified on the field/method.

@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @NotPersistent
    String myOtherField;
    ...
}

See the documentation for Field Types



@Transactional

This annotation is a shortcut for @Persistent(persistenceModifier=PersistenceModifier.TRANSACTIONAL) meaning that the field/property is not persisted yet managed. It has no attributes. Specified on the field/method.

@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Transactional
    String myOtherField;
    ...
}

See the documentation for Field Types



@Cacheable

This annotation is a shortcut for @Persistent(cacheable={value}) specifying whether the field/property can be cached in a Level 2 cache. Specified on the field/property. The default

Attribute Type Description Default

value

String

Whether the field/property is cacheable

true

 
public class MyClass
{
    @Cacheable("false")
    Collection elements;
    ...
}



@PrimaryKey

This annotation is a shortcut for @Persistent(primaryKey="true") meaning that the field/property is part of the primary key for the class. No attributes are needed when specified like this. Specified on the field/method.

@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @PrimaryKey
    String myOtherField;
    ...
}



@Element

Annotation used to define the element for any collection/array to be persisted. Maps across to the <collection>, <array> and <element> MetaData elements. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

types

Class[]

Type(s) of element

When using an array is not needed. When using a collection will be taken from the collection definition if using generics, otherwise must be specified.

embedded

String

Whether the element is embedded into a join table

serialized

String

Whether the element is serialised into the join table

dependent

String

Whether the element objects are dependent when deleting the owner collection/array

mappedBy

String

Field in the element class that represents this object (when the relation is bidirectional)

embeddedMapping

Embedded[]

Definition of any embedding of the (persistable) element. Only 1 "Embedded" should be provided

table

String

ORM : Name of the table for this element

column

String

ORM : Name of the column for this element

foreignKey

String

ORM : Name of any foreign-key constraint to add

generateForeignKey

String

ORM : Whether to generate a FK constraint for the element (when not specifying the name)

deleteAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to be applied to the foreign key for this element for action upon deletion

updateAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to be applied to the foreign key for this element for action upon update

index

String

ORM : Name of any index constraint to add

indexed

String

ORM : Whether this element column is indexed

unique

String

ORM : Whether this element column is unique

uniqueKey

String

ORM : Name of any unique key constraint to add

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definition for the column(s) of this element

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Element(types=mydomain.MyElementClass.class, dependent="true")
    Collection myField;
    ...
}



@Order

Annotation used to define the ordering of an order-based Collection/array to be persisted. Maps across to the <order> MetaData element. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

mappedBy

String

ORM : Field in the element class that represents the ordering of the collection/array

column

String

ORM : Name of the column for this order

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definition for the column(s) of this order

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Element(types=mydomain.MyElementClass.class, dependent="true")
    @Order(column="ORDER_IDX")
    Collection myField;
    ...
}



@Key

Annotation used to define the key for any map to be persisted. Maps across to the <map> and <key> MetaData elements. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

types

Class[]

Type(s) of key.

When using generics will be taken from the Map definition, otherwise must be specified

embedded

String

Whether the key is embedded into a join table

serialized

String

Whether the key is serialised into the join table

dependent

String

Whether the key objects are dependent when deleting the owner map

mappedBy

String

Used to specify the field in the value class where the key is stored (optional).

embeddedMapping

Embedded[]

Definition of any embedding of the (persistable) key. Only 1 "Embedded" should be provided

table

String

ORM : Name of the table for this key

column

String

ORM : Name of the column for this key

foreignKey

String

ORM : Name of any foreign-key constraint to add

generateForeignKey

String

ORM : Whether to generate a FK constraint for the key (when not specifying the name)

deleteAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to be applied to the foreign key for this key for action upon deletion

updateAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to be applied to the foreign key for this key for action upon update

index

String

ORM : Name of any index constraint to add

indexed

String

ORM : Whether this key column is indexed

uniqueKey

String

ORM : Name of any unique key constraint to add

unique

String

ORM : Whether this key column is unique

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definition for the column(s) of this key

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Key(types=java.lang.String.class)
    Map myField;
    ...
}



@Value

Annotation used to define the value for any map to be persisted. Maps across to the <map> and <value> MetaData elements. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

types

Class[]

Type(s) of value.

When using generics will be taken from the Map definition, otherwise must be specified

embedded

String

Whether the value is embedded into a join table

serialized

String

Whether the value is serialised into the join table

dependent

String

Whether the value objects are dependent when deleting the owner map

mappedBy

String

Used to specify the field in the key class where the value is stored (optional).

embeddedMapping

Embedded[]

Definition of any embedding of the (persistable) value. Only 1 "Embedded" should be provided

table

String

ORM : Name of the table for this value

column

String

ORM : Name of the column for this value

foreignKey

String

ORM : Name of any foreign-key constraint to add

deleteAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to be applied to the foreign key for this value for action upon deletion

generateForeignKey

String

ORM : Whether to generate a FK constraint for the value (when not specifying the name)

updateAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to be applied to the foreign key for this value for action upon update

index

String

ORM : Name of any index constraint to add

indexed

String

ORM : Whether this value column is indexed

uniqueKey

String

ORM : Name of any unique key constraint to add

unique

String

ORM : Whether this value column is unique

columns

Column[]

ORM : Column definition for the column(s) of this value

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Key(types=java.lang.String.class)
    @Value(types=mydomain.MyValueClass.class, dependent="true")
    Map myField;
    ...
}



@Join

Annotation used to specify a join to a join table for a collection/array/map. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

table

String

ORM : Name of the table

column

String

ORM : Name of the column to join our PK to in the join table (when only one column used)

primaryKey

String

ORM : Name of any primary key constraint to add for the join table

generatePrimaryKey

String

ORM : Whether to generate a PK constraint on the join table (when not specifying the name)

foreignKey

String

ORM : Name of any foreign-key constraint to add

generateForeignKey

String

ORM : Whether to generate a FK constraint on the join table (when not specifying the name)

index

String

ORM : Name of any index constraint to add

indexed

String

ORM : Whether the join column(s) is indexed

uniqueKey

String

ORM : Name of any unique constraint to add

unique

String

ORM : Whether the join column(s) has a unique constraint

columns

Column[]

ORM : Name of the columns to join our PK to in the join table (when multiple columns used)

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    @Element(types=mydomain.MyElement.class)
    @Join(table="MYCLASS_ELEMENTS", column="MYCLASS_ELEMENTS_PK")
    Collection myField;
    ...
}



@Embedded

Annotation used to define that the field contents is embedded into the same table as this field Maps across to the <embedded> MetaData element. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

ownerMember

String

ORM : The field/property in the embedded object that links back to the owning object (where it has a bidirectional relation)

nullIndicatorColumn

String

ORM : The column in the embedded object used to judge if the embedded object is null.

nullIndicatorValue

String

ORM : The value in the null column to interpret the object as being null.

members

Persistent[]

ORM : Field/property definitions for this embedding.

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Embedded(members={
            @Persistent(name="field1", columns=@Column(name="OTHER_FLD_1")),
            @Persistent(name="field2", columns=@Column(name="OTHER_FLD_2"))
        }
    MyOtherClass myField;
    ...
}

@PersistenceCapable
@EmbeddedOnly
public class MyOtherClass
{
    @Persistent
    String field1;

    @Persistent
    String field2;
}



@Columns

Annotation used to define the columns into which a field is persisted. If the field is persisted into a single column then @Column should be used. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

Column[]

Array of columns - see @Columns annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    @Columns({@Column(name="RED"), @Column(name="GREEN"), @Column(name="BLUE"), @Column(name="ALPHA")})
    Color myField;
    ...
}



@Column

Annotation used to define that the colum where a field is persisted. Is equivalent to the <column> metadata element when specified under field. Specified on the field/method (and within other annotations).

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

ORM : Name of the column

target

String

ORM : Column in the other class that this maps to

targetMember

String

ORM : Field/Property in the other class that this maps to

jdbcType

String

ORM : JDBC Type to use for persisting into this column

sqlType

String

ORM : SQL Type to use for persisting into this column

length

int

ORM : Max length of data to store in this column

scale

int

ORM : Max number of floating points of data to store in this column

allowsNull

String

ORM : Whether null is allowed to be persisted into this column

defaultValue

String

ORM : Default value to persist into this column. If you want the default to be NULL, then put this as "#NULL"

insertValue

String

ORM : Value to insert into this column when it is an "unmapped" column. If you want the inserted value to be NULL, then put this as "#NULL"

position

int

Position of this column in the owning table (0 = first)

extensions

Extension[]

Vendor extensions

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    @Column(name="MYCOL", jdbcType="VARCHAR", length=40)
    String field1;

    ...
}



@Index

Annotation used to define that this field is indexed. Is equivalent to the <index> metadata element when specified under field. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

ORM : Name of the index

unique

String

ORM : Whether the index is unique

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    @Index(name="MYFIELD1_IDX")
    String field1;

    @Persistent
    @Index(name="MYFIELD2_IDX", unique="true")
    String field2;

    ...
}



@Unique

Annotation used to define that this field has a unique constraint. Is equivalent to the <unique> metadata element when specified under field. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

ORM : Name of the constraint

deferred

String

ORM : Whether the constraint is deferred

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    @Unique(name="MYFIELD1_IDX")
    String field1;

    ...
}



@ForeignKey

Annotation used to define the foreign key for a relationship field. Is equivalent to the <foreign-key> metadata element when specified under field. Specified on the field/method.

Attribute Type Description Default

name

String

ORM : Name of the constraint

deferred

String

ORM : Whether the constraint is deferred

unique

String

ORM : Whether the constraint is unique

deleteAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to apply to the FK to be used on deleting

ForeignKeyAction.RESTRICT

updateAction

ForeignKeyAction

ORM : Action to apply to the FK to be used on updating

ForeignKeyAction.RESTRICT

 
@PersistenceCapable
public class MyClass
{
    @Persistent
    @ForeignKey(name="MYFIELD1_FK", deleteAction=ForeignKeyAction.RESTRICT)
    String field1;

    ...
}



@Extensions

Annotation used to define a set of extensions specific to the JDO2 implementation being used. Specified on the class or field.

Attribute Type Description Default

value

Extension[]

Array of extensions - see @Extension annotation

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Extensions({@Extension(vendorName="MyJDOImpl", key="firstExtension", value="myValue"),
             @Extension(vendorName="MyJDOImpl", key="secondExtension", value="myValue")})
public class Person
{
    ...
}



@Extension

Annotation used to define an extension specific to a particular JDO implementation. Is equivalent to the <extension> metadata element. Specified on the class or field.

Attribute Type Description Default

vendorName

String

Name of the JDO vendor

key

String

Key for the extension

value

String

Value of the extension

 
@PersistenceCapable
@Extension(vendorName="MyJDOImpl", key="RunFast", value="true")
public class Person
{
    ...
}