# Inheritance

This table lists the fields available on the Inheritance area in the JPA Details view for each entity type.

Property | Description | Default | Available for Entity Type
--- | --- | --- | ---

Strategy

Specify the strategy to use when mapping a class or class hierarchy:

- Single table – All classes in the hierarchy are mapped to a single table.

- Joined – The root of the hierarchy is mapped to a single table; each child maps to its own table.

- Table per class – Each class is mapped to a separate table.

This field corresponds to the `@Inheritance` annotation.

Single table

Entity

Discriminator Value | Specify the discriminator value used to differentiate an entity in this inheritance hierarchy. The value must conform to the specified Discriminator Type. |  | Entity
Discriminator Column | These fields are available when using a Single or Joined inheritance strategy. This field corresponds to the `@DiscriminatorColumn` annotation. Use the Details area to define the Length and Column definition of this Discriminator Column. |  |
Name | Name of the discriminator column |  | Entity
Type | Set this field to set the discriminator type to `Char` or `Integer` (instead of its default: `String`). The Discriminator Value must conform to this type. | String | Entity
Length | The column length for String-based discriminator types. | 0 | Entity
Column definition | The SQL fragment that is used when generating the DDL for the discriminator column. |  | Entity
Primary Key Join Columns | Use to override the default primary key join columns. Select Override Default, then click Add to select new Join Column with the Add Primary Key Join Column dialog. This field corresponds with @`PrimaryKeyJoinColum`n annotation. |  | Entity

Refer to "Specifying entity inheritance" for additional information.

Related tasks

- Specifying entity inheritance

- Adding persistence to a class

Related reference

- JPA Details view (for entities)

- Add Primary Key Join Column dialog