Currently (I believe) in Hibernate 2, the criteria API generates SQL directly (no HQL involved).

In Hibernate 3, is the Criteria API being rewritten at all to take advantage of the code behind AST-based HQL parser?

Specifically, what I'm wondering is if the Criteria API will now generate a syntax tree that will be fed to the SQL generator?

In case you can't tell; I don't know squat about parsers or parsing terminology. All I really want to know is if the Criteria API is being significantly re-worked for Hibernate 3. Also, if not for Hibernate 3, are there any plans to do something like this to the Criteria API eventually?

Improvements to Criteria stuff in Hibernate 3.1, as per the road map.

Currently I don't see much advantage in using the AST for Criteria queries.