JPARepository vs CRUDRepository: What's the difference?

If you've been working with Spring Data JPA for a while, you've probably noticed that sometimes we extend CrudRepository, and other times, JpaRepository.

But, what's really the difference between them?

Let's go straight to the point:

Both are interfaces provided by Spring Data, and both help us perform basic operations like save(), findById(), delete(), etc.

So, if CrudRepository already gives us all these basic CRUD operations, why would we need JpaRepository?

The answer is: JpaRepository extends CrudRepository and adds more JPA-specific functionalities.

Here's what you get extra with JpaRepository:

Methods like findAll(Sort sort) and findAll(Pageable pageable), super useful when dealing with pagination and sorting.

Batch operations such as saveAll() or deleteAllInBatch().

Integration with JPA features, like flushing the persistence context (flush()) or deleting entities in batches, which can significantly improve performance.

The main idea:

CrudRepository → Basic CRUD operations.

JpaRepository → Everything from CrudRepository + JPA goodies (pagination, sorting, batch operations, flush, etc).

If you're using Spring Data JPA, the default and most common choice is JpaRepository, because it's a superset of the other two main repositories (CrudRepository and PagingAndSortingRepository).

When we use JpaRepository, it's not just about saving or finding data, it gives us extra control and performance with JPA. Let me know how you've used these extra features in your projects!