spring-projects / spring-projects/spring-data-relational

Add support for @JoinColumn

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type: enhancement
Dominant language
Java
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Description

Hi,

I love the simplicity of spring-data-jdbc, but sometimes it feels too restrictive compared to possibilities of JPA. I miss the @JoinColumn feature.

Please let me describe my need for it

class Order {
   @Id
   String id;                        // technically, randomly generated value without _any_ business meaning, e.g. UUID
   String reference ;           // some kind of business information encoded in the value and it is _unique_ (!)
   @MappedCollection
   Set<OrderItem> orderItems;
   // might be a better name compared to @JoinColumn
   //@MappedColumn
   @JoinColumn("reference")  // <== not using the "id" field
   private Meta meta;
}

class OrderItem {
   @Id
   Long id;                      // technical id
   String orderId;            // back reference to Order
}

class Meta {
   @Id
   String reference;
   String data;
}

I have use cases, where relations are either based on that unique field/property/column or on another unique field/property/column.
I tried to use the NamingStrategy to achieve my goal, but it didn't work either.

best regards

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reviewing the existing NamingStrategy path and the Order/Meta mapping example in the issue. Trace how relational associations currently choose their referenced column, then identify the tests and mapping entry points that would need coverage for a unique non-id column. Done means spring-data-jdbc supports the requested @JoinColumn-style association without relying on NamingStrategy.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
java, spring
Domain
backend, database
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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