A Professional Guide to MyBatis: From Basics to Advanced Techniques
What is MyBatis?
MyBatis is a first-class persistence framework that provides an alternative to traditional Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) solutions like Hibernate or JPA. Often referred to as a “SQL Mapper,” MyBatis distinguishes itself by embracing SQL. Instead of abstracting SQL away, it puts developers in full control, mapping SQL statements to Java methods.
The core philosophy of MyBatis is to decouple SQL from application logic while allowing you to leverage the full power of your database. It achieves this by mapping:
- Result Mapping: The results of a SQL query to Java objects.
- Parameter Mapping: Java objects and parameters to SQL statement placeholders.
This approach makes MyBatis an excellent choice for projects that require precise control over SQL, such as financial systems, high-performance transaction platforms, or applications with complex, performance-sensitive queries.
In a Spring Boot ecosystem, MyBatis can be integrated primarily in two ways:
- Mapper Interface + XML (Recommended): Offers maximum flexibility for writing and maintaining complex SQL.
- Mapper Interface + Annotations: Suitable for simple queries and smaller projects.