hi all!

Is there a way to define table columns without mapping them directly to a member of a class?

I want to achieve that I can order my collection in the database table without writing an annoying composite-element type and mapping it for each collection.

something like:

thx in advance!

Im not sure i understand you correctly, but as i read it you want to have collections sorted by an unmapped database column, correct?

If this is the case you can add this in your mapping file on the collection using the order-by attribute

thats what I want, yes.

But in addition it would be nice if hibernate can create the tables too. Is there a way to tell hibernate to create this special column?

Your way, which i'm using right now, always forces me to adapt the database after creating it.

Oh, i don't know if thats possible i suppose schemaexport is only build to create your databaseschema as your mapped properties look like.

One solution would be two map the column and map it to a private field as read-only

as i see it, i cant even use the order-by attribute if I manually alter the db table.

order-by is not accepted with the <set> element, and by using <bag> i retrieve multiple attributes.