Hibernate Interview Questions

1. What is Hibernate?

file (i.e mapping file per class) because storing large number of persistent classes into

Ans: Hibernate is a powerful, high performance object/relational persistence and query service.

use the same name as the persistent (POJO) class name. For example Account.class will

This lets the users to develop persistent classes following object-oriented principles such as

have a mapping file named Account.hbm.xml. Alternatively hibernate annotations can

association, inheritance, polymorphism, composition, and collections.

be used as part of your persistent class code instead of the *.hbm.xml files.

one mapping file can be difficult to manage and maintain. The naming convention is to

2. What is ORM ?
Ans: ORM stands for Object/Relational mapping. It is the programmed and translucent

6. What are derived properties?

perseverance of objects in a Java application in to the tables of a relational database

Ans: The properties that are not mapped to a column, but calculated at runtime by

using the metadata that describes the mapping between the objects and the database.

evaluation of an expression are called derived properties. The expression can be defined

It works by transforming the data from one representation to another.

using the formula attribute of the element.

3. Why hibernate is advantageous over Entity Beans & JDBC?

7. Define HibernateTemplate?

Ans: An entity bean always works under the EJB container, which allows reusing of the

Ans: org.springframework.orm.hibernate.HibernateTemplate is a helper class which

object external to the container. An object can not be detached in entity beans and in

provides different methods for querying/retrieving data from the database. It also

hibernate detached objects are supported.

converts checked HibernateExceptions into unchecked DataAccessExceptions.

Hibernate is not database dependent where as JDBC is database dependent. Query

tuning is not needed for hibernate as JDBC is needed. Data can be placed in multiple

8. What are the benefits does HibernateTemplate provide?

cache which is supported by hibernate, whereas in JDBC the cache is to be

Ans: The benefits of HibernateTemplate are :

implemented.

4. What are the different levels of ORM quality?

Ans: There are four levels defined for ORMquality.

HibernateTemplate, a Spring Template class simplifies interactions with Hibernate

Session.

Common functions are simplified to single method calls.

Sessions are automatically closed.

Exceptions are automatically caught and converted to runtime exceptions.

Pure relational

Light object mapping

Medium object mapping

9. What is the difference between sorted and ordered collection in hibernate?

Full object mapping

Ans: sorted collection vs. order collection

5. How will you configure Hibernate?

Ans: The configuration files hibernate.cfg.xml (or hibernate.properties) and mapping
files *.hbm.xml are used by the Configuration class to create (i.e. configure and
bootstrap hibernate) the SessionFactory, which in turn creates the Session instances.
Session instances are the primary interface for the persistence service.
" hibernate.cfg.xml (alternatively can use hibernate.properties): These two files are
used to configure the hibernate sevice (connection driver class, connection URL,
connection username, connection password, dialect etc). If both files are present in the

sorted collection

order collection

A sorted collection is sorting a collection

by utilizing the sorting features provided
Order collection is sorting a collection by
by the Java collections framework. The
sorting occurs in the memory of JVM which specifying the order-by clause for sorting
this collection when retrieval.
running Hibernate, after the data being
read from database using java
comparator.
If your collection is not large, it will be
more efficient way to sort it.

If your collection is very large, it will be

more efficient way to sort it .

classpath then hibernate.cfg.xml file overrides the settings found in the

hibernate.properties file.
" Mapping files (*.hbm.xml): These files are used to map persistent objects to a
relational database. It is the best practice to store each object in an individual mapping

10. What are the Collection types in Hibernate ?

Ans:

Bag

Set

List

Array

Map

Configuration Interface: Hibernate bootstrap action is configured by this

interface. The location specification is specified by specific mapping documents,
is done by the instance of this interface.

Transaction Interface: This is an optional interface. This interface is used to

11. What is Hibernate proxy?

abstract the code from a transaction that is implemented such as a JDBC / JTA

Ans: Mapping of classes can be made into a proxy instead of a table. A proxy is

transaction.

returned when actually a load is called on a session. The proxy contains actual method
to load the data. The proxy is created by default by Hibernate, for mapping a class to a
file. The code to invoke JDBC is contained in this class.

Query and Criteria interface: The queries from the user are allowed by this
interface apart from controlling the flow of the query execution.

15. What are the different types of caches in Hibernate ?

Ans: Hibernate uses two different caches for objects: first-level cache and second-level

12. What is lazy fetching in hibernate ?

cache. First-level cache is associated with the Session object, while second-level cache

Ans: Lazy fetching is associated with child objects loading for its parents. While loading

is associated with the SessionFactory object. By default, Hibernate uses first-level cache

the parent, the selection of loading a child object is to be specified / mentioned in the

on a per-transaction basis. Hibernate uses this cache mainly to reduce the number of

hbm.xml file. Hibernate does not load the whole child objects by default. Lazy=true

SQL queries it needs to generate within a given transaction.

means not to load the child objects.

16. How does the hibernate second-level cache work ?
13. Explain the difference between transient and detached objects in hibernate

Ans: Hibernate always tries to first retrieve objects from the session and if this fails it

tries to retrieve them from the second-level cache. If this fails again, the objects are

Ans: Transient objects do not have association with the databases and session objects.

directly loaded from the database. Hibernate's static initialize() method, which populates

They are simple objects and not persisted to the database. Once the last reference is

a proxy object, will attempt to hit the second-level cache before going to the database.

lost, that means the object itself is lost. And of course , garbage collected. The commits

The Hibernate class provides static methods for manipulation of proxies.

and rollbacks will have no effects on these objects. They can become into persistent
objects through the save method calls of Session object.

17. What is a query cache in Hibernate ?

Ans: The query cache is responsible for caching the results and to be more precise the

The detached object have corresponding entries in the database. These are persistent

keys of the objects returned by queries. Let us have a look how Hibernate uses the

and not connected to the Session object. These objects have the synchronized data with

query cache to retrieve objects. In order to make use of the query cache we have to

the database when the session was closed. Since then, the change may be done in the

modify the person loading example as follows.

database which makes this object stale. The detached object can be reattached after
certain time to another object in order to become persistent again.

Query query = session.createQuery("from Order as o where o.status=?");

query.setInt(0, "Active");

14. What are the core interfaces of Hibernate framework ?

query.setCacheable(true); // the query is cacheable

Ans:

List l = query.list();

Session Interface: The basic interface for all hibernate applications. The
instances are light weighted and can be created and destroyed without

18. What is callback interfaces in hibernate?

expensive process.

Ans: Callback interfaces of hibernate are useful in receiving event notifications from

SessionFactory interface: The delivery of session objects to hibernate

objects. For example, when an object is loaded or deleted, an event is generated and

applications is done by this interface. For the whole application, there will be

notification is sent using callback interfaces.

generally one SessionFactory and can be shared by all the application threads.

19. What is the difference between and merge and update ?

by specifying lazy="false", this second select will only be executed when you actually

Ans: Use update() if you are sure that the session does not contain an already

access the association.Batch fetching - an optimization strategy for select fetching -

persistent instance with the same identifier, and merge() if you want to merge your

Hibernate retrieves a batch of entity instances or collections in a single SELECT, by

modifications at any time without consideration of the state of the session.

specifying a list of primary keys or foreign keys.

20. What is the difference between and load() and get() ?

23. What is version checking in Hibernate ?

Ans:

Ans: version checking used in hibernate when more then one thread trying to access

Load() method:

same data.

Only use the load() method if you are sure that the object exists.

For example :

load() method will throw an exception if the unique id is not found in the

User A edit the row of the TABLE for update ( In the User Interface changing data This is

database.

user thinking time) and in the same time User B edit the same record for update and

load() just returns a proxy by default and database won't be hit until the proxy

click the update. Then User A click the Update and update done. Chnage made by user B

is first invoked.

is gone. In hibernate you can perevent slate object updatation using version checking.

Get() method:

If you are not sure that the object exists, then use one of the get()methods.

Check the version of the row when you are upding the row. Get the version of the row

get() will hit the database immediately.

when you are fetching the row of the TABLE for update. On the time of updation just

get() method will return null if the unique id is not found in the database.

fetch the version number and match with your version number ( on the time of

21. What are the different caching strategies ?

fetching).

Ans: Read-only: This strategy is useful for data that is read frequently but never
updated. This is by far the simplest and best-performing cache strategy.

24. Difference between getCurrentSession() and openSession() in Hibernate ?

Read/write: Read/write caches may be appropriate if your data needs to be updated.

Ans:

They carry more overhead than read-only caches. In non-JTA environments, each

getCurrentSession():

transaction should be completed when Session.close() or Session.disconnect() is called.

The "current session" refers to a Hibernate Session bound by Hibernate behind the

Nonstrict read/write: This strategy does not guarantee that two transactions won't

scenes, to the transaction scope. A Session is opened when getCurrentSession() is

simultaneously modify the same data. Therefore, it may be most appropriate for data

called for the first time and closed when the transaction ends.

that is read often but only occasionally modified.

openSession():

Transactional: This is a fully transactional cache that may be used only in a JTA

If you decide to use manage the Session yourself the go for sf.openSession(), you have

environment.

to flush() and close() it. It does not flush and close() automatically.

22. What are the different fetching strategy in Hibernate ?

25. What does session.refresh() do ?

Ans: Hibernate3 defines the following fetching strategies:

Ans: It is possible to re-load an object and all its collections at any time, using the

Join fetching - Hibernate retrieves the associated instance or collection in the same

refresh() method. This is useful when database triggers are used to initialize some of

SELECT, using an OUTER JOIN.

the properties of the object.

Select fetching - a second SELECT is used to retrieve the associated entity or collection.
Unless you explicitly disable lazy fetching by specifying lazy="false", this second select

26. How to get JDBC connections in hibernate ?

will only be executed when you actually access the association.

Ans: User Session.connection() method to get JDBC Connection.

Subselect fetching - a second SELECT is used to retrieve the associated collections for all
entities retrieved in a previous query or fetch. Unless you explicitly disable lazy fetching

27. Whats the use of session.lock() in hibernate ?

Ans: session.lock() method of session class is used to reattach an object which has

Ans: Creating Database applications with Java is made simpler with Hibernate. First

been detached earlier. This method of reattaching doesnt check for any data

Plain old java object needs to be written, XML mapping file should be created which

synchronization in database while reattaching the object and hence may lead to lack of

shows relationship between database and class attributes. Hibernate APIs can be used

synchronization in data.

to store persistent objects.

28. What is the difference between the session.update() method and the

33.Explain about hibernate.cfg.xml?

session.lock() method ?

Ans: Hibernate can be configured with two types of files out of which

Ans: Both of these methods and saveOrUpdate() method are intended for reattaching a

hibernate.cfg.xmlis widely used and popular feature. Hibernate consults

detached object. The session.lock() method simply reattaches the object to the session

hibernate.cfg.xml file for its operating properties such as database dialect, connection

without checking or updating the database on the assumption that the database in sync

string and mapping files. These files are searched on class path.

with the detached object. It is the best practice to use either session.update(..) or
session.saveOrUpdate(). Use session.lock() only if you are absolutely sure that the

34. Explain about mapping description file?

detached object is in sync with your detached object or if it does not matter because

Ans: Mapping description file is the second file which Hibernate uses to configure its

you will be overwriting all the columns that would have changed later on within the

functions. This mapping file has an extension *.hbm which instructs mapping between

same transaction.

Java class and database tables. The usage of mapping description file rests entirely
upon the business entity.

29. What is a SessionFactory?

Ans: The SessionFactory is the concept that is a single data store and thread safe.

35. Explain about transaction file?

Because of this feature, many threads can access this concurrently and the sessions are

Ans: Transactions denote a work file which can save changes made or revert back the

requested, and also the cache that is immutable of compiled mappings for a specific

changes. A transaction can be started by session.beginTransaction() and it uses JDBC

database. A SessionFactory will be built only at the time of its startup. In order to

connection, CORBA or JTA. When this session starts several transactions may occur.

access it in the application code, it should be wrapped in singleton. This wrapping makes
the easy accessibility to it in an application code.

36. Explain about mapping files in Hibernate?

Ans: Mapping files forms the core of any database mapping tools. These files contain

30. Explain about session interface?

field to field mapping, usually this mapping occurs between classes and attributes. After

Ans: This represents hibernate session which perform the manipulation on the database

mapping files they can be persist to the database. Tags can be used to indicate the

entities. Some of the activities performed by session interface are as follows they are

presence of a primary key.

managing the persistence state, fetching persisted ones and management of the
transaction demarcation.

37. What is the effect when a transient mapped object is passed onto a
Sessions save?

31. Explain about the dirty checking feature of Hibernate?

Ans: When a session.save( ) is passed to a transient mapped object it makes the

Ans: Dirty checking feature of the Hibernate allows users or developers to avoid time

method to become more persistent. Garbage collection and termination of the Java

consuming data base write actions. This feature makes necessary updations and

virtual machine stays as long as it is deleted explicitly. It may head back to its transient

changes to the fields which require a change, remaining fields are left unchanged or

state.

untouched.
38. Explain about version field?
32. Explain the steps involved in creating database applications with Java

Ans: Application level data integrity constants are important if you are making changes

using Hibernate?

to offline information which is again backed by database. Higher level locking or

versioning protocol is required to support them. Version field usage comes at this stage

Example :

but the design and implementation process is left to the developer.

List employees = session.createCriteria(Employee.class)

39. Explain State some advantages of hibernate?

.add(Restrictions.like(name, a%) )

Ans: Some of the advantages which a developer can get from Hibernate are as follows:

.add(Restrictions.like(address, Boston))

Mapping of one POJO table to one table is not required in hibernate.

.addOrder(Order.asc(name) )

It supports inheritance relationships and is generally a fast tool. Portability is necessary

.list();

the greater benefit from hibernate. POJOs can be used in other applications where they

46. How can a whole class be mapped as immutable ?

are applicable.

Ans: Mark the class as mutable=false (Default is true),. This specifies that instances
of the class are (not) mutable. Immutable classes, may not be updated or deleted by

40 Explain about addClass function?

the application.

Ans: This function translates a Java class name into file name. This translated file name

47. What is hibernate tuning ?

is then loaded as an input stream from the Java class loader. This addclass function is

Ans: The key to obtain better performance in any hibernate application is to employ

important if you want efficient usage of classes in your code.

SQL Optimization, session management, and Data caching.

41. Explain about addjar() and addDirectory() methods?

Ans: These methods are the most convenient to use in hibernate. These methods allow

48. What is HQL ?

you to load all your Hibernate documents at a time. These methods simplify code

Ans: HQL stands for Hibernate Query Language. Hibernate allows the user to express

configuration, refactoring, layout, etc. These functions help you to add your hibernate

queries in its own portable SQL extension and this is called as HQL. It also allows the

mapping to Hibernate initialization files.

user to express in native SQL.

42. Explain about the id field?

49. How to Execute Stored procedure in Hibernate ?

Ans: This id field corresponds to the surrogate key which is generated by the database.

Ans:

These fields are handled by the id field. Name attribute is used to specify the names of

<sql-query name="selectAllEmployees_SP" callable="true">

the field and it should correspond to the method name of getid. This also should

<return alias="emp" class="employee">

correspond to long type and the values should be stored I the database in the long

<return-property name="empid" column="EMP_ID"/>

column.

<return-property name="name" column="EMP_NAME"/>

43. What are the most common methods of Hibernate configuration ?

<return-property name="address" column="EMP_ADDRESS"/>

Ans:The most common methods of Hibernate configuration are:

{ ? = call selectAllEmployees() }

Programmatic configuration

</return>

XML configuration (hibernate.cfg.xml)

</sql-query>

44. Define cascade and inverse option in one-many mapping ?

Code:

Ans:

SQLQuery sq = (SQLQuery) session.getNamedQuery("selectAllEmployees_SP");

cascade enable operations to cascade to child entities.

List results = sq.list();

cascade=all|none|save-update|delete|all-delete-orphan
inverse mark this collection as the inverse end of a bidirectional association.

50. What is a meant by light object mapping?

Ans: The entities are represented as classes that are mapped manually to the relational

45. Explain Criteria API ?

tables. The code is hidden from the business logic using specific design patterns. This

Ans: Criteria is a simplified API for retrieving entities by composing Criterion objects.

approach is successful for applications with a less number of entities, or applications

This is a very convenient approach for functionality like search screens where there is

with common, metadata-driven data models.

a variable number of conditions to be placed upon the result set.