Using base classes for common attributes

Question

Can TopLink handle use of non-mapped abstract base classes? There are a number of fields that are common to each and every one of my domain objects which, following good OO design principals, are moved up to a common superclass. So I have:
public abstract class AbstractDomainObject
private Integer id;
private Date dateCreated;
private Integer creatorId;
private Date dateModified;
private Integer modifierId;
// ... appropriate attribute accessors
Then a concrete class which gets mappped in Workbench:
public class Address
extends AbstractDomainObject
... specific attributes
I tried mapping all the specific attributes explicitly defined in the Address class and then using "Map Inherited Fields > To SuperClass" in Workbench. However, when attempting to test my mappings in the SessionConsole, only the attributes explicitly defined on Address are present in the SELECT clause.
Can what I am trying be done? If so, how?

Answer 1

Steve,
What you are trying to do is very common and the process you described is exactly how map the class. I will summarize a couple of points for mapping this scenario.
1. You only need to import Address in and map it. If AbstractDomainObject is imported into the Mapping Workbench make sure that it is disabled. The abstract class is only required on the project's CLASSPATH.
2. You should not enable inheritance for the Address class. Inheritance is for situations where the abstract base class has its own independent table. I am assuming that your Address class has its own table that contains fields for all of the attributes it needs along with those of the abstract base class.
Assuming these conditions are met then TopLink will work fine with you Address class just as if it had all of the inherited attributes directly.
If you are still having trouble take a look through your generated project (XML or Java) to ensure that mappings exist in Address for All attributes. If the project looks good then I am at a loss. Customers have been using this pattern of use for over 5 years with TopLink and Java inheritance.
Cheers,
Doug