What is Native Query in Spring Data JPA?

A Native Query in Spring Data JPA is a database query written using actual SQL syntax instead of JPQL.

Native queries allow developers to execute database-specific SQL queries directly from Spring Boot applications.

In simple words:

“Native query means writing real SQL queries inside Spring Data JPA.”

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Why Native Queries are Needed

JPQL is powerful, but sometimes it has limitations.

Certain database operations require:

• Complex joins
• Database-specific functions
• Stored procedures
• Advanced SQL optimizations

Native queries solve these problems.

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Simple Real-Time Example

JPQL query:

SELECT s FROM Student s

Equivalent native SQL query:

SELECT * FROM students

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Main Difference Between JPQL and Native Query

Feature	JPQL	Native Query
Works On	Entity classes	Database tables
Uses	Entity names	Table names
Database Independent	Yes	No
Supports DB-specific features	Limited	Yes

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How to Create Native Query in Spring Data JPA

Native queries are created using:

@Query

annotation with:

nativeQuery = true

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Basic Native Query Example

@Query(
    value = "SELECT * FROM students",
    nativeQuery = true
)
List<Student> getAllStudents();

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What Happens Internally?

1. Developer writes SQL query
2. Spring Data JPA sends query directly to database
3. Database executes SQL
4. Results are mapped to entity objects

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Entity Example

@Entity
@Table(name = "students")
public class Student {

    @Id
    private Long id;

    private String name;

    private String email;
}

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Find by ID Native Query Example

@Query(
    value = """
        SELECT *
        FROM students
        WHERE id = :id
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
Student findStudentById(Long id);

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Generated SQL

Query is executed directly without JPQL conversion.

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Using Named Parameters

Native queries support named parameters.

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Example

@Query(
    value = """
        SELECT *
        FROM students
        WHERE email = :email
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
Student findByEmail(
        @Param("email") String email
);

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Using Positional Parameters

Native queries also support positional parameters.

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Example

@Query(
    value = """
        SELECT *
        FROM students
        WHERE name = ?1
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
Student findByName(String name);

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INSERT Native Query Example

INSERT operations require:

• @Modifying
• @Transactional

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Example

@Transactional
@Modifying
@Query(
    value = """
        INSERT INTO students(name, email)
        VALUES (:name, :email)
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
void insertStudent(
        String name,
        String email
);

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UPDATE Native Query Example

@Transactional
@Modifying
@Query(
    value = """
        UPDATE students
        SET name = :name
        WHERE id = :id
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
void updateStudentName(
        Long id,
        String name
);

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DELETE Native Query Example

@Transactional
@Modifying
@Query(
    value = """
        DELETE FROM students
        WHERE id = :id
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
void deleteStudent(Long id);

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JOIN Native Query Example

@Query(
    value = """
        SELECT o.*
        FROM orders o
        JOIN customers c
        ON o.customer_id = c.id
        WHERE c.name = :name
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
List<Order> getOrdersByCustomerName(
        String name
);

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Aggregation Query Example

@Query(
    value = """
        SELECT COUNT(*)
        FROM students
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
long countStudents();

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Database-Specific Function Example

Native queries support database-specific functions.

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MySQL Example

@Query(
    value = """
        SELECT NOW()
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
String getCurrentTime();

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Pagination with Native Queries

Native queries support pagination using:

• Pageable
• LIMIT

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Example

@Query(
    value = """
        SELECT *
        FROM students
    """,
    nativeQuery = true
)
Page<Student> getStudents(
        Pageable pageable
);

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Stored Procedure Example

Native queries can execute stored procedures.

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Example

@Query(
    value = "CALL get_all_students()",
    nativeQuery = true
)
List<Student> getStudentsUsingProcedure();

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Advantages of Native Queries

• Supports complex SQL
• Uses database-specific features
• Better performance optimization
• Supports stored procedures
• Full SQL flexibility

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Disadvantages of Native Queries

• Database dependent
• Less portable
• More difficult maintenance
• Can bypass ORM optimizations

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When to Use Native Queries

• Complex joins
• Performance optimization
• Stored procedures
• Database-specific functions
• Complex reporting queries

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When NOT to Use Native Queries

• Simple CRUD operations
• Database-independent applications
• Simple JPQL-compatible queries

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Real-Time Example in E-Commerce Application

E-commerce systems often require:

• Sales reports
• Revenue calculations
• Complex analytics
• Optimized joins

Native queries help implement these efficiently.

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Real-Time Example in Banking Application

Banking systems may require:

• Transaction aggregation
• Large report generation
• Database-specific optimizations

Native queries improve performance in such cases.

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Best Practices for Native Queries

• Use JPQL when possible
• Use native queries only when necessary
• Prefer named parameters
• Avoid hardcoding database-specific syntax unnecessarily
• Optimize indexes and joins

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Difference Between Native Query and JPQL

Feature	Native Query	JPQL
Uses	SQL tables	Entity classes
Database Portability	Lower	Higher
Performance Tuning	Better	Limited
Database Functions	Full support	Limited

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Common Interview Questions on Native Queries

What is a native query in Spring Data JPA?

A native query is a real SQL query executed directly on the database.

How do you define a native query?

Using @Query with nativeQuery = true.

What is the difference between JPQL and native query?

JPQL uses entities, while native queries use database tables.

Can native queries perform INSERT and UPDATE operations?

Yes, using @Modifying and @Transactional.

When should native queries be used?

For complex SQL, performance optimization, and database-specific operations.

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Conclusion

Native queries are powerful features in Spring Data JPA that allow developers to execute real SQL queries directly.

They help developers:

• Handle complex database operations
• Use database-specific features
• Optimize query performance
• Execute stored procedures

Understanding native queries is essential for Spring Boot developers because enterprise applications often require advanced reporting, optimized SQL, and database-specific functionality.

Proper use of native queries improves:

• Performance
• Scalability
• Complex query handling
• Database optimization