java.lang.annotation

Annotation Type Retention

@Documented
 @Retention(value=RUNTIME)
 @Target(value=ANNOTATION_TYPE)
public @interface Retention

Indicates how long annotations with the annotated type are to be retained. If no Retention annotation is present on an annotation type declaration, the retention policy defaults to RetentionPolicy.CLASS.

A Retention meta-annotation has effect only if the meta-annotated type is used directly for annotation. It has no effect if the meta-annotated type is used as a member type in another annotation type.

Since:

1.5

See The Java™ Language Specification:

9.6.3.2 @Retention

Required Element Summary

Required Elements

Modifier and Type	Required Element and Description
RetentionPolicy	value Returns the retention policy.

Element Detail

value

public abstract RetentionPolicy value

Returns the retention policy.

Returns:

the retention policy