If a column value is null in the database, the object value gets set to null when the object is initialized.

I am using a JSF dataTable to update records via an html form submit.

The problem I have is that JSF sets the null value to a zero length string, which causes Hibernate to see the change from a null value to a zero length string as a property change. Therefore the object is marked as dirty and the database gets updated.

Is there some kind of property I can set in the mapping file to treat empty strings the same as null to avoid unnecessary updates?

My current workaround if to do the check in each setter method of the object and set the value to null if the string is empty. This is rather tedious. I am looking for a automated way to acomplish this.

Thanks.

probably custom string type can help http://www.hibernate.org/hib_docs/v3/re ... pes-custom
see "isDirty"