package com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation;

import java.lang.annotation.ElementType;
import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
import java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy;
import java.lang.annotation.Target;

Marker annotation that indicates that the logical property that the accessor (field, getter/setter method or Creator parameter [of JsonCreator-annotated constructor or factory method]) is to be ignored by introspection-based serialization and deserialization functionality. 
 Annotation only needs to be added to one of the accessors (often getter method, but may be setter, field or creator parameter), if the complete removal of the property is desired. However: if only particular accessor is to be ignored (for example, when ignoring one of potentially conflicting setter methods), this can be done by annotating other not-to-be-ignored accessors with JsonProperty (or its equivalents). This is considered so-called "split property" case and allows definitions of "read-only" (read from input into POJO) and "write-only" (write in output but ignore on output) 
 NOTE! As Jackson 2.6, there is a new and improved way to define `read-only` and `write-only` properties, using JsonProperty.access() annotation: this is recommended over use of separate JsonIgnore and JsonProperty annotations. 

For example, a "getter" method that would otherwise denote
a property (like, say, "getValue" to suggest property "value")
to serialize, would be ignored and no such property would
be output unless another annotation defines alternative method to use.
 When ignoring the whole property, the default behavior if encountering such property in input is to ignore it without exception; but if there is a JsonAnySetter it will be called instead. Either way, no exception will be thrown. 

Annotation is usually used just a like a marker annotation, that
is, without explicitly defining 'value' argument (which defaults
to true): but argument can be explicitly defined.
This can be done to override an existing `JsonIgnore` by explicitly
defining one with 'false' argument: either in a sub-class, or by
using "mix-in annotations".
/**
 * Marker annotation that indicates that the logical property that
 * the accessor (field, getter/setter method or Creator parameter
 * [of {@link JsonCreator}-annotated constructor or factory method])
 * is to be ignored by introspection-based
 * serialization and deserialization functionality.
 *<p>
 * Annotation only needs to be added to one of the accessors (often
 * getter method, but may be setter, field or creator parameter),
 * if the complete removal of the property is desired.
 * However: if only particular accessor is to be ignored (for example,
 * when ignoring one of potentially conflicting setter methods),
 * this can be done by annotating other not-to-be-ignored accessors
 * with {@link JsonProperty} (or its equivalents). This is considered
 * so-called "split property" case and allows definitions of
 * "read-only" (read from input into POJO) and "write-only" (write
 * in output but ignore on output)
 *<br>
 * NOTE! As Jackson 2.6, there is a new and improved way to define
 * `read-only` and `write-only` properties, using
 * {@link JsonProperty#access()} annotation: this is recommended over
 * use of separate <code>JsonIgnore</code> and {@link JsonProperty}
 * annotations.
 *<p>
 * For example, a "getter" method that would otherwise denote
 * a property (like, say, "getValue" to suggest property "value")
 * to serialize, would be ignored and no such property would
 * be output unless another annotation defines alternative method to use.
 *<p>
 * When ignoring the whole property, the default behavior if encountering
 * such property in input is to ignore it without exception; but if there
 * is a {@link JsonAnySetter} it will be called instead. Either way,
 * no exception will be thrown.
 *<p>
 * Annotation is usually used just a like a marker annotation, that
 * is, without explicitly defining 'value' argument (which defaults
 * to <code>true</code>): but argument can be explicitly defined.
 * This can be done to override an existing `JsonIgnore` by explicitly
 * defining one with 'false' argument: either in a sub-class, or by
 * using "mix-in annotations".
 */
@Target({ElementType.ANNOTATION_TYPE, ElementType.METHOD, ElementType.CONSTRUCTOR, ElementType.FIELD})
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@JacksonAnnotation
public @interface JsonIgnore
{
    
Optional argument that defines whether this annotation is active
or not. The only use for value 'false' if for overriding purposes
(which is not needed often); most likely it is needed for use
with "mix-in annotations" (aka "annotation overrides").
For most cases, however, default value of "true" is just fine
and should be omitted.
Returns:
True if annotation is enabled (normal case); false if it is to
  be ignored (only useful for mix-in annotations to "mask" annotation)/**
     * Optional argument that defines whether this annotation is active
     * or not. The only use for value 'false' if for overriding purposes
     * (which is not needed often); most likely it is needed for use
     * with "mix-in annotations" (aka "annotation overrides").
     * For most cases, however, default value of "true" is just fine
     * and should be omitted.
     * 
     * @return True if annotation is enabled (normal case); false if it is to
     *   be ignored (only useful for mix-in annotations to "mask" annotation)
     */
    boolean value() default true;
}