Java EE applications that use JPA functions can employ third-party
persistence providers other than those that are included with the application
server. Applications can also specify an Apache OpenJPA provider that is other
than the version that is included with the application server. There are two
basic means to incorporate third-party providers into an application:
- Embedding the persistence provider inside an application
- Making use of shared libraries.
Depending on your requirements, you can embed a persistence provider
inside an application, or place the persistence provider into a shared library.