@OneToMany List<> vs Set<> difference

Question

Is there any difference if I use

@OneToMany
public Set ratings;

or if I use

@OneToMany
public List

        

Answer 1

If you use a List, then you can specify an 'Order BY' clause in getter function. You can't do that with a Set. The order by clause can contain partial EJBQL; For example

@OneToMany
@OrderBy("lastname ASC")
public List ratings;

If you leave this field blank, then the list is sorted in ascending order based on the value of the primary key.