Annotation Interface Cast


@Documented @Target({METHOD,TYPE}) @Repeatable(Container.class) @Retention(CLASS) public @interface Cast
Declares a PostgreSQL CAST.

May annotate a Java method (which should also carry a @Function annotation, making it a PostgreSQL function), or a class or interface (just to have a place to put it when not directly associated with a method).

If not applied to a method, must supply path= specifying BINARY or INOUT.

The source and target types must be specified with from and to, unless the annotation appears on a method, in which case these default to the first parameter and return types of the function, respectively.

The cast will, by default, have to be applied explicitly, unless application=ASSIGNMENT or application=IMPLICIT is given.

Author:
Chapman Flack
  • Nested Class Summary

    Nested Classes
    Modifier and Type
    Class
    Description
    static enum 
    When this cast can be applied: only in explicit form, when used in assignment context, or implicitly whenever needed.
    static enum 
    A known conversion path when a dedicated function is not supplied: BINARY for two types that are known to have the same internal representation, or INOUT to invoke the first type's text-output function followed by the second type's text-input function.
  • Optional Element Summary

    Optional Elements
    Modifier and Type
    Optional Element
    Description
    When this cast can be applied: only in explicit form, when used in assignment context, or implicitly whenever needed.
    A comment to be associated with the cast.
    The source type to be cast.
    The <implementor name> to be used around SQL code generated for this cast.
    A stock conversion path when a dedicated function is not supplied: BINARY for two types that are known to have the same internal representation, or INOUT to invoke the first type's text-output function followed by the second type's text-input function.
    One or more arbitrary labels that will be considered 'provided' by the object carrying this annotation.
    One or more arbitrary labels that will be considered 'required' by the object carrying this annotation.
    The target type to cast to.
  • Element Details

    • from

      String from
      The source type to be cast. Will default to the first parameter type of the associated function, if known.

      PostgreSQL will allow this type and the function's first parameter type to differ, if there is an existing binary cast between them. That cannot be checked at compile time, so a cast with a different type given here might successfully compile but fail to deploy in PostgreSQL.

      Default:
      ""
    • to

      String to
      The target type to cast to. Will default to the return type of the associated function, if known.

      PostgreSQL will allow this type and the function's return type to differ, if there is an existing binary cast between them. That cannot be checked at compile time, so a cast with a different type given here might successfully compile but fail to deploy in PostgreSQL.

      Default:
      ""
    • path

      Cast.Path path
      A stock conversion path when a dedicated function is not supplied: BINARY for two types that are known to have the same internal representation, or INOUT to invoke the first type's text-output function followed by the second type's text-input function.

      To declare an INOUT cast, with=INOUT must appear explicitly; the default value is treated as unspecified.

      Default:
      INOUT
    • application

      Cast.Application application
      When this cast can be applied: only in explicit form, when used in assignment context, or implicitly whenever needed.
      Default:
      EXPLICIT
    • provides

      String[] provides
      One or more arbitrary labels that will be considered 'provided' by the object carrying this annotation. The deployment descriptor will be generated in such an order that other objects that 'require' labels 'provided' by this come later in the output for install actions, and earlier for remove actions.
      Default:
      {}
    • requires

      String[] requires
      One or more arbitrary labels that will be considered 'required' by the object carrying this annotation. The deployment descriptor will be generated in such an order that other objects that 'provide' labels 'required' by this come earlier in the output for install actions, and later for remove actions.
      Default:
      {}
    • implementor

      String implementor
      The <implementor name> to be used around SQL code generated for this cast. Defaults to PostgreSQL. Set explicitly to "" to emit code not wrapped in an <implementor block>.
      Default:
      ""
    • comment

      String comment
      A comment to be associated with the cast. If left to default, and the annotated Java construct has a doc comment, its first sentence will be used. If an empty string is explicitly given, no comment will be set.
      Default:
      ""