How to extend Java annotation?

Question

In my project I use pre-defined annotation @With:

@With(Secure.class)
public class Test { //....

The source code of @Wit

Answer 1

You can use annotation for annotation like this:

@Target({ElementType.METHOD, ElementType.TYPE})
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@Inherited
@Documented
@WithSecurityContext(factory = WithCustomUserSecurityContextFactory.class)
public @interface WithCustomUser {
  String username() default "demo@demo.com";
  String password() default "demo";
  String[] authorities() default {Authority.USER};
}

And define exact state in its "child"

@Target({ElementType.METHOD, ElementType.TYPE})
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@Inherited
@Documented
@WithCustomUser(username = "admin@admin.com",
                password = "admin",
                authorities = {Authority.USER, Authority.ADMINISTRATOR})
public @interface WithAdminUser {
}

In this case you have a some kind of "state" and access to the parent annotation fields via reflection/aspect.