How does Hibernate work?

Hibernate is an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) framework for Java that simplifies database interactions by mapping Java objects to database tables. Instead of writing complex SQL queries, developers work with Java objects, and Hibernate automatically translates these operations into SQL commands.

When an application needs to retrieve or store data, Hibernate connects to the database, fetches or updates records, and manages transactions efficiently. It provides key features like automatic SQL generation, caching, lazy loading, and transaction handling, making it easier to work with relational databases in Java applications.

How Hibernate Works Step by Step

1. Configuration – Hibernate reads configurations from hibernate.cfg.xml or hibernate.properties.

2. SessionFactory Creation – A SessionFactory is created to establish connections with the database.

3. Session Management – A Session is opened to interact with the database.

4. Transaction Handling – Hibernate manages transactions through commit() and rollback() methods.

5. Query Execution – Developers use HQL (Hibernate Query Language) or Criteria API to perform database operations.

6. Object Mapping – Java objects are mapped to database tables using annotations or XML configurations.

Key Takeaways:

• Hibernate eliminates the need for complex SQL queries in Java applications.

• It maps Java objects to database tables automatically.

• Uses caching and lazy loading for optimized performance.

• Supports multiple databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle.

• Provides transaction management for secure and consistent database operations.