I had heard that the newer Hibernate versions supported exporting the data from the database into an XML file. Can anyone confirm or deny this and if it is a feature in Hibernate, how do we make use of this?

In addition, we're running through an internal filtering system on text on forum messages (built on Hibernate) and when we call setBody(filteredText), that filtered text is persisted back to the database without us doing anything. Is there a way that we can have this not happen for specific cases?

Thanks in advance,
Matt

Yes there is an experimental feature (not documented) called XMLBinder that can do what you are suggesting. Have a look at the interface and see how you go, eg, just try it.

You can set the property up a not be updatedable or have the update logic built into the application.