Hibernate version: 1.2.0 GA

Name and version of the database you are using: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition SP2

I've just read the NHibernate docs (http://www.hibernate.org/hib_docs/nhibe ... tions.html) which states:
6.5. Lazy Initialization
"...Usually, the application calls NHibernateUtil.Initialize() for each collection that will be needed in the web tier (this call must occur before the session is closed) or retrieves the collection eagerly using a NHibernate query with a FETCH clause..."

I actually don't understand the following statement: "this call must occur before the session is closed".

I think I need a clearer explanation of what the consequences are of calling it when no session exists. I'm questioning this since I'm practicing with it in my current (Windows Forms) application and it works just fine so far. CMIIW.

Thanks before!

Hello,

The idea is to:
a) mark your collections as lazy
b) buildup your object in the business layer
c) send the object to the presentation layer

It is in (b) that you have to make sure that all collections are initialized before sending your object to the presentation layer because the scope of a Session is supposed to be very small and is not meant to be extended to the presentation layer.

If the session is closed and you try to use a lazy-loaded collection, you'll get an exception.

The fact that you don't get an exception means that:
- the collections are not marked as lazy=true
or
- the Session is in fact not closed at the moment that you're using the lazy collections for the first time