Hi

I am contemplating using Hibernate Annotations for my current project (which has just started). On our previous project, we used Hibernate 3.1, XDoclet1 and Spring 1.2.8. With XDoclet1, we could not use JDK5.0 constructs in our domain model classes. Thus, for our new project, we are looking at using XDoclet2 or Hibernate Annotations, with Spring 2.0.

I am just a bit confused as to where exactly Hibernate Annotations fits in. I have done some surfing on this, and my understanding is as follows:

1. Hibernate Annotations works with both the EJB Entity Beans and the Persistance API (Provided by the Hibernate EntityManager), and it can also be used in standalone mode with native Hibernate itself.
2. If I do not want to go EJB3 Persistence, then my understanding is that I can still use Hibernate Annotations to replace my existing usage of xdoclet (which I obviously used to create the hbm files). This will also be enable me to use JDK5.0 constructs in the persistent entities. which would also mean that I do not have consider Xdoclet2.

Can someone please comment on the accuracy of these statements?

Also, assuming the above is true, then can I assume that all the functionality that is presenting in the hbm files (and xdoclet1) is fully available in the current version of Hibernate Annotations 3.2Cr2 and Hibernate Core 3.2 Cr4.

Thank you very much.

Regards

Chris