Mapping Java Arrays

Question

I was given an object model generated by an apache product, Axis. The generated java files use the Java Array in the following fashion:
Class Zoo {
private ArrayOfAnimals animals;
// … public get/set methods cut
Class ArrayOfAnimals {
private Animal animals[];
// … public get/set methods cut
Class Animal {
private String name;
// … public get/set methods cut
I was tasked with mapping the one-to-many relationship between zoo and an array of animals using the Animal array. I can’t find a mapping in TopLink to do this type of association. I am NOT allowed to modify the generated source code. I may be able to extend the generated classes, and perhaps provide a different superclass.
I am allowed to create the relational model for these domain classes. Can anyone help with this type of mapping?
Thanks

Answer 1

TopLink does not directly support arrays as the mapping type for a collection, only collection types that support the Collection and Map interfaces.
In general it seems odd to use an array instead of a Java collection which would be much more efficient (in terms of adding and removing) and much more functional. I would definitely suggest changing the generated code, or the way the code is generated if at all possible.
The easiest way to map the array in TopLink would be the use get/set methods for the 1-m mapping on the Zoo class that converted the array to/from a Collection.
i.e. something like,
public List getAnimalsList() {
return new Arrays.asList(animals.animals);
public void setAnimalsList(List list) {
animals.animals = (Animal[]) list.toArray();
In general TopLink uses its ContainerPolicy class to handle collections. It may also be possible (but advanced) to write a custom container policy for your 1-m mapping that handles arrays.