FileReference
What is a FileReference?
FileDescriptor, FileRepository, FileResource and FileManager deal with the abstraction layer for physical storage of files.
FileReference on the other hand is a database entity which can be used as relation for other entities in the same database schema.
@Entity
public class Invoice {
...
@ManyToOne
@JoinColumn(name = "attachment_id", referencedColumnName = "id")
private FileReference document;
}One of the properties of a FileReference is a FileDescriptor which represents the physical file stored.
Building a domain model
FileReference is a construct added to make it easier to integrate a domain model with physical files (represented by FileResource).
It has default integration with modules like EntityModule to enable out-of-the-box uploading of files, taking care of both form control rendering and actual persistence of files and file metadata.
See linking to files for all information on working with FileReference.