To define how an entity class will be persisted to a data store, you have to specify the persistent fields. This can be done in one of the following ways:

When a persistent field is added to an entity, the respective annotated properties are added to the source file of the entity class, the field is marked with a gutter icon in the editor, and the member nodes are added to the persistence unit node in the Persistence tool window , and to the ER diagram of the persistence unit.

To create persistence fields in the source code of an entity class
  1. Open the desired entity class for editing.
  2. Type the desired field declaration:

    jpaNewField1.png

  3. Create getter and setter methods. To do that, press ⌘N, ⌃⏎, ⌘N or ⌃⏎⌃N, ⌃⏎, ⌃N or ⌃⏎⌘N, ⌃⏎, ⌘N or ⌃⏎^ N, ⌥ Insert, ⌃N or ⌃N⌥ Insert, and select Getter and Setter from the suggestion list:

    jpaNewField2.png

  4. Annotate the field. If the required import is missing, use the suggested quick fix:

    jpaNewField3.png

To create persistence fields using the entity context menu
  1. Open Persistence tool window.
  2. In the desired persistence unit, right-click persistence entity, and choose the desired persistence field type:

    jpaNewField.png

    The available options are:

    You can invoke the same command on the context menu of an entity in the ER diagram.

  3. In the dialog box that opens, specify the field name and type, and click OK.