MyBatis

MyBatis is a Java persistence framework that emphasizes direct SQL usage and explicit mapping between database data and Java objects. It implements the data mapper pattern, offering a middle way between simple JDBC and full object-relational mapping frameworks. Instead of generating SQL automatically, developers write their own SQL statements and map the results to Java classes.

SQL statements in MyBatis are defined either in XML mapper files or via annotations on Java interfaces. Mappers declare methods whose parameters and return types correspond to SQL statements. The framework handles parameter binding and result mapping, including complex mappings and nested objects through configurable result maps. MyBatis also supports dynamic SQL, enabling conditional and iterative SQL fragments based on input parameters. Type handlers can convert between database types and custom Java types, and caching options (first- and second-level) help improve performance.

The core architecture centers on a SqlSessionFactory that produces SqlSession instances, and on mapper interfaces or XML files that define the SQL mappings. It can be used with plain JDBC or integrated with frameworks such as Spring via dedicated connectors. Its design makes it well suited for applications that require precise SQL control, complex queries, or interoperability with legacy schemas, while still benefiting from object mapping for select results.

Historically, MyBatis originated from the iBatis project and was renamed in the early 2010s. It remains a mature, widely used option in Java ecosystems for data access that favors explicit SQL and fine-grained performance tuning over automated ORM abstractions.