The Difference Between HQL and Criteria API in Hibernate

In Hibernate, the main difference between HQL (Hibernate Query Language) and Criteria API lies in the way they are used to query data from the database.

Focus Keyword: HQL vs Criteria API in Hibernate

• HQL (Hibernate Query Language): HQL is an object-oriented query language provided by Hibernate, similar to SQL but operates on objects and classes instead of tables and columns. It uses a syntax similar to SQL to write queries and is especially useful for complex queries involving multiple entities.
• Criteria API: The Criteria API is a programmatic way to create queries in Hibernate without directly writing HQL queries. It allows developers to build query criteria using Java objects and methods to specify conditions, joins, and projections. This approach provides better type-safety and reusability of query logic.

While HQL offers more flexibility and expressiveness in writing queries, Criteria API is preferred for its type safety and the ability to dynamically construct queries based on different conditions at runtime. Ultimately, the choice between HQL and Criteria API depends on the specific requirements and preferences of the developer.