Java™ Data Objects

5.3. First- and second-class objects

JDO divides instances into first-class and second-class objects. There are specific differences between the operation of shared instances when those instances are first or second class, and the developer must appreciate these differences.

First-class objects are instances of PersistenceCapable classes, which have a JDO identity and therefore support uniquing in the PersistenceManager ’s cache. Recall that uniquing is the process by which the PersistenceManager ensures that only one cached persistent instance of a particular PersistenceCapable class exists with a given identity.

When field values of a first-class object are altered, that object is transitioned to an appropriate dirty state (e.g. from Hollow ...