Understanding the Difference Between save() and persist() Methods in Hibernate

When it comes to working with Hibernate, it is crucial to understand the distinction between the save() and persist() methods. Both methods are used to save an entity object to the database, but they differ in terms of their behavior and usage.

save() Method

The save() method is used to persist an entity object into the database and return the generated identifier of the entity. It can be used for both transient and detached entities. When the save() method is called, Hibernate immediately executes the SQL INSERT query to save the entity to the database.

persist() Method

On the other hand, the persist() method is used to make a transient entity persistent. It does not return a generated identifier and is typically used for transient entities only. The persist() method is slightly more efficient than save() as it does not guarantee the execution of an SQL INSERT immediately.

Focus Keyword: Hibernate save() vs persist()

In summary, the main difference between save() and persist() methods in Hibernate lies in their behavior and usage scenarios. While both methods serve the purpose of saving an entity object to the database, save() is more versatile and can be used for both transient and detached entities, whereas persist() is specifically designed for transient entities.