When are Java annotations executed?

Question

I am just looking to write some annotation which can execute at runtime, before or immediately after a service method is invoked.

I don\'t know if they are executed at r

Answer 1

Annotations are just markers. They don't execute and do anything.

You can specify different retention policies:

• SOURCE: annotation retained only in the source file and is discarded during compilation.
• CLASS: annotation stored in the .class file during compilation, not available in the run time.
• RUNTIME: annotation stored in the .class file and available in the run time.

More here: http://www.java2s.com/Tutorial/Java/0020__Language/SpecifyingaRetentionPolicy.htm