EJB Query Language

The EJB 1.1 specification left the manner and language for forming and expressing queries for finder methods to each individual application server. While many application server vendors let developers form queries using SQL, others use their own proprietary language specific to their particular application server product. This mixture of query implementations causes inconsistencies between application servers.

The EJB 2.0 specification introduces a query language called EJB Query Language, or EJB QL to correct many of these inconsistencies and shortcomings. EJB QL is based on SQL92. It defines query methods, in the form of both finder and select methods, specifically for entity beans with container-managed persistence. EJB QL’s principal advantage over SQL is its portability across EJB containers and its ability to navigate entity bean relationships.