Java Persistence with Hibernate

4.4. Fine-grained models and mappings

After spending the first half of this chapter almost exclusively on entities and the respective basic persistent class-mapping options, we'll now focus on value types in their various forms. Two different kinds come to mind immediately: value-typed classes that came with the JDK, such as String or primitives, and value-typed classes defined by the application developer, such as Address and MonetaryAmount.

First, you map persistent class properties that use JDK types and learn the basic mapping elements and attributes. Then you attack custom value-typed classes and map them as embeddable components.

4.4.1. Mapping basic properties

If you map a persistent class, no matter whether it's an entity or a value ...