JPA and CAF BO - are there any editors of the JPA data (like CAF)?

Question

Hello!
As you know SAP invented some layer above JPA and called it CAF. There is a very convenient way to edit data in CAF.
But now I have to create a complex database scheme, also with CAF doesn't allow us to work with objects. So we can't use someObject.getChildren().
So my question is are there any editors of the JPA data (like it is done in CAF)?

Answer 1

Hi Kirill,
at the beginning of our project at the end of 2009, we did a deep analysis of CAF since our architect vehemently suggested to use this framework.
First about the history and purpose of CAF: Initially, CAF was never meant to be a layer above CAF since CAF was invented in the time before EJB 3.0 and JPA standard where writing persistence with EJB 2.x CMP forced the developer to write pages of boiler plate code. This background was approved by SAP.
With upcoming of JPA, CAF ist mostly useless (except for very simply structured data) and prevents you from writing good software.
It is easy just to write @Entity, @Id and @OneToMany (for complex database schemes) and CAF forces you to use an ugly, imperformant database scheme (e.g. CAF uses mapping tables even for 1:n relationships, a clear antipattern!)
The CRUD-services generated with CAF are a pain, too. Usage of pessimistic locking is not up to date for web applications.
With your complex database schemes, you exceed the limit of CAF.
(We decided not to use CAF and did never regret this.)
Concerning your question: There is an "JPA Details" view in NWDS that might help you. It needs JPA Persistence facet on your project to work. Developed by SAP. For JPA beginners, it is a good cheat sheet for JPA annotations and their attributes.
You do not need more since a JPA POJO is easy to code.
Regards,
Rolf