JPA with Eclipse Dali

This article describes Eclipse Dali and does not give a general introduction into JPA. Please see Java Persistence API (JPA) with EclipseLink- Tutorial for an introduction.

To use Eclipse Dali you also need Eclipse DTP which is described in Eclipse DTP Tutorial

To use Eclipse Dali you also need Derby which is described in Eclipse DTP Tutorial or independently of Eclipse in Apache Derby .

2. Installation

Use the update manager to install from "Web, XML, and Java Development" the "Dali Java Persistence Tools" and "Dali Java Persistence Tools - EclipseLink Support (Optional)". Install also "EclipseLink JPA" from "EclipseRT Target Platform Components". .

Please see Using the Eclipse Update Manager .

3. Using Dali

3.1. Project

Create a new project "de.vogella.dali.first" via File -> New -> Others -> JPA -> JPA Project.

Tip

You can also add to an existing project the JPA nature. Use the JPA perspective and the right mouse button on the project and select Configure -> Convert to JPA Project

Click twice next.

The JPA perspective should now be opened.

Create a package "de.vogella.dali.first".

Select File -> New -> Other -> JPA -> Entity and create the following class.

				
package de.vogella.dali.first;

import java.io.Serializable;

import javax.persistence.Entity;
import javax.persistence.Id;

/**
 * Entity implementation class for Entity: Person
 *
 */
@Entity

public class Person implements Serializable {
	@Id
	private int id;
	private String firstName;
	private String lastName;
	
	private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;

	public Person() {
		super();
	}

	public int getId() {
		return id;
	}

	public void setId(int id) {
		this.id = id;
	}

	public String getFirstName() {
		return firstName;
	}

	public void setFirstName(String firstName) {
		this.firstName = firstName;
	}

	public String getLastName() {
		return lastName;
	}

	public void setLastName(String lastName) {
		this.lastName = lastName;
	}
   
}

Annotate now the class with @Entity (before the class name". This will activate the views "JPA Structure" and "JPA Details".

You can now use the right mouse button in the "JPA Structure" view to map your elements.

Now you can use the "JPA Details" view to define for example how the primatry keys should get defined, e.g. via a sequence "SEQUENCE".

4. Thank you

Thank you for practicing with this tutorial.

Please note that I maintain this website in my private time. If you like the information I'm providing please help me by donating.

5. Questions and Discussion

For questions and discussion around this article please use the www.vogella.de Google Group. Also if you note an error in this article please post the error and if possible the correction to the Group.

I believe the following is a very good guideline for asking questions in general and also for the Google group How To Ask Questions The Smart Way.

6. Links and Literature

6.1. Source Code

http://www.vogella.de/code/codeeclipse.html Source Code of Examples

6.2. Other Resources

Eclipse.org Homepage

Articles about Java, Eclipse and Webdevelopment from www.vogella.de

Articles about Eclipse development from www.vogella.de

Articles about Web development from www.vogella.de