Hibernate in Java and Its Features

As an open source persistence library, Hibernate Object Relational Mapping (ORM) is used widely by Java developers. The framework provided by Hibernate makes it easier for Java developers to map an object-oriented domain model to a traditional relational database. Thus, Hibernate in Java uses direct persistence-related database access to resolve problems related to object-relational impedance mismatch. It comes with high-level object handling functions to facilitate object-relational mapping.

Java programmers manipulate these functions to map from Java classes to database tables. The function can also be used for mapping Java data types to SQL data types. Along with providing data query and retrieval facilities, Hibernate can further generate SQL calls. So the programmers can use Hibernate to make their applications portable by supporting SQL databases, without increasing performance overhead, or handling result set and object conversions manually.

Important Features of Hibernate

Mapping
As noted earlier, Hibernate is used widely by developers to map Java classes to database tables. Hibernate accomplish the mapping by using Java Annotations or by configuring an XML file. The XML file or Java Annotations further enable Hibernate to maintain the database schema. The library generated source code for the persistence classes, when it uses an XML file. But Java annotation does not require any source code generation. The programmers also have option to create and maintain one-to-many and many-to-many relationships between the classes, while mapping custom value types.

Hibernate Query Language (HQL) and Criteria Queries
The structure and design of HQL is inspired by SQL. Hibernate provides HQL to make it easier for programmers to write SQL-like queries against its data objects. The programmers also have option to replace HQL with Criteria Queries. The Criteria Queries can be used effectively as an object-oriented alternative to HQL. Along with modifying the date objects, Criteria Query can also be used by developers to impose restrictions on these data objects.

Persistence
Hibernate further provides transparent persistence for the Plain Old Java Objects (POJOs). However, no-argument constructor is essential for creating persistence classes. The Java developer also need to concentrate on the usage of equals() and hashCode() methods to make the application function in an expected way. The collection of Java objects is stored in List, Set and similar Java Collection Objects. So Hibernate can be configured to get associated with the data objects through lazy loading.

Integration
The programmers have option to integrate Hibernate with both Java EE and Java standalone applications. They can accomplish the integration by using JBI service components, EJB session beans and servlets. At the same time, Hibernate can also be integrated as a feature with other programming languages and frameworks. For instance, Adobe ColdFusion 9 includes Hibernate as a feature by adding new feature and functions into CMFL.

Advanced Features
Normally, the queries in database programming include insert, delete and update statements. Hibernate makes database programming simpler and quicker by allowing developers to avoid writing tedious statements. They can simply load classes from the database, and then save the classes to the database without writing any complex statement.

Likewise, Hibernate also makes it easier for Java programmers to accomplish complex database transactions and caching solutions. As Hibernate comes with the features required for database development, the developers are not required to work on any new features. They can accomplish these common tasks by creating a simple Java class and a mapping file. The mapping file will convey the mapping of field in the class and field in the database.

The programmers also have option to use Hibernate API to make a database session last longer. The Hibernate software also includes several components to make the open source persistence library compatible with other web development frameworks. For instance, web developers can use an object-relational mapping solution called NHibernate that is designed for Microsoft .NET Framework.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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