Understanding EclipseLink, 2.6
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Descriptor Files

The following sections describe the descriptor files that can be used for object-relational and MOXy mapping.

Using orm.xml for Object-Relational Mappings

Use the orm.xml file to apply the metadata to the persistence unit. This metadata is a union of all the mapping files and the annotations (if there is no xml-mapping-metadata-complete element). If you use one mapping orm.xml file for your metadata and place this file in a META-INF directory on the classpath, then you do not need to explicitly list it. The persistence provider will automatically search for this file (orm.xml) and use it.

The schema for the JPA 2.0 orm.xml is orm_2_0.xsd. (http://java.sun.com/xml/ns/persistence/orm_2_0.xsd)

If you use a different name for your mapping files or place them in a different location, you must list them in the mapping-file element of the persistence.xml file.

Using eclipselink-orm.xml for EclipseLink Object-Relational Mappings

EclipseLink supports an extended JPA orm.xml mapping configuration file called eclipselink-orm.xml. This mapping file can be used in place of JPA's standard mapping file or can be used to override a JPA mapping file. In additional to allowing all of the standard JPA mapping capabilities it also includes advanced mapping types and options.

For more information on the eclipselink-orm.xml file, see "eclipselink-orm.xml Schema Reference" in Java Persistence API (JPA) Extensions Reference for EclipseLink.


NoteNote:

Using this mapping file enables many EclipseLink advanced features, but it may prevent the persistence unit from being portable to other JPA implementations.


For more information, on overriding values, see:

Overriding and Merging Mapping Information

To override the orm.xml file's mapping, you must define the META-INF/eclipselink-orm.xml file in the project. The contents of eclipselink-orm.xml override orm.xml and any other JPA mapping file specified in the persistence unit. If there are overlapping specifications in multiple ORM files, the files are merged if there are no conflicting entities.

For more information, see "Overriding and Merging" in Java Persistence API (JPA) Extensions Reference for EclipseLink.

Validating the XML Schema

By default the content of your .orm XML file is not validated against the JPA .orm XML schema.

During development it is a good idea to validate your .orm XML file against the schema to ensure it is valid. In EclipseLink, validating the .orm XML schema can be enabled using the persistence unit property "eclipselink.orm.validate.schema" in your persistence.xml file.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using XML

Some advantages of using XML instead of annotations include:

  • No coupling between the metadata and the source code

  • Compliance with the existing, pre-EJB 3.0 development process

  • Support in IDEs and source control systems

The main disadvantages of mapping with XML include:

  • It is inherently complex (when compared to annotations)

  • The need for replication of the code context (that is, defining the structure in both the XML and the source code)

For more information, see Chapter 10 "Metadata Annotations" in the JPA Specification:

http://jcp.org/en/jsr/detail?id=338

Using eclipselink-oxm.xml for EclipseLink MOXy Mappings

You can use Java annotations to specify JAXB features in your projects. In addition to Java annotations, EclipseLink provides an XML mapping configuration file called eclipselink-oxm.xml. This mapping file contains the standard JAXB mappings and configuration options for advanced mapping types. You can use the eclipselink-oxm.xml file in place of or to override JAXB annotations in source code.


NoteNote:

Using this mapping file will enable many advanced features but it can prevent the model from being portable to other JAXB implementations.