Package javax.persistence

Annotation Interface MapKey

@Target({METHOD,FIELD}) @Retention(RUNTIME) public @interface MapKey
Specifies the map key for associations of type java.util.Map when the map key is itself the primary key or a persistent field or property of the entity that is the value of the map.

If a persistent field or property other than the primary key is used as a map key then it is expected to have a uniqueness constraint associated with it.

The MapKeyClass annotation is not used when MapKey is specified and vice versa. 


    Example 1:

    @Entity
    public class Department {
        ...
        @OneToMany(mappedBy="department")
        @MapKey  // map key is primary key
        public Map<Integer, Employee> getEmployees() {... }
        ...
    }

    @Entity
    public class Employee {
        ...
        @Id Integer getEmpId() { ... }
        @ManyToOne
        @JoinColumn(name="dept_id")
        public Department getDepartment() { ... }
        ...
    }

    Example 2:

    @Entity
        public class Department {
        ...
        @OneToMany(mappedBy="department")
        @MapKey(name="name")
        public Map<String, Employee> getEmployees() {... }
        ...
    }

    @Entity
        public class Employee {
        @Id public Integer getEmpId() { ... }
        ...
        @ManyToOne
        @JoinColumn(name="dept_id")
        public Department getDepartment() { ... }
        ...
    }
Since:
Java Persistence 1.0

  • Optional Element Summary

    Optional Elements
    Modifier and Type
    Optional Element
    Description
    String
    name
    (Optional) The name of the persistent field or property of the associated entity that is used as the map key.

  • Element Details

    • name

      String name
      (Optional) The name of the persistent field or property of the associated entity that is used as the map key.

      Default: If the name element is not specified, the primary key of the associated entity is used as the map key. If the primary key is a composite primary key and is mapped as IdClass, an instance of the primary key class is used as the key.

      Default:
      ""