JPA Criteria API vs JPQL: What's the Difference?

What are the main differences between JPA Criteria API and JPQL?

JPA Criteria API is a type-safe way to create queries using Java code, while JPQL is a string-based query language similar to SQL.

Can you give me an example of how to use both?

Sure! In JPQL, you might write: SELECT e FROM Employee e WHERE e.salary > 50000. In Criteria API, it would look like this: CriteriaBuilder cb = entityManager.getCriteriaBuilder(); CriteriaQuery<Employee> cq = cb.createQuery(Employee.class); Root<Employee> emp = cq.from(Employee.class); cq.select(emp).where(cb.greaterThan(emp.get("salary"), 50000));.

Which one is better for performance?

Performance can vary based on the use case. JPQL may be faster for simple queries, while Criteria API can be more efficient for complex queries due to its dynamic nature.

Are there any limitations to using the Criteria API?

Yes, the Criteria API can be more verbose and harder to read compared to JPQL, especially for complex queries.