What is the difference between Hibernate save() and persist() methods, and when would you use each one?

In Hibernate, the difference between save() and persist() methods lies in their behavior with regards to managing entity objects and transactions. The key distinction is that the save() method is used to insert a new entity into the database, while the persist() method is used to make a transient entity persistent and add it to the database.

When deciding between save() and persist(), the choice largely depends on the requirement of the application. If the entity object is not associated with an existing session and needs to be saved immediately to the database, save() would be the appropriate method to use. On the other hand, if the entity is already in a transaction and should be managed by that transaction, persist() would be the preferred method to ensure the entity becomes persistent.

In conclusion, the save() method is useful for persisting and inserting new entities independently, while the persist() method is more appropriate for managing entities within transactions in Hibernate applications.