[java] What's the difference between session.persist() and session.save() in Hibernate?

It completely answered on basis of "generator" type in ID while storing any entity. If value for generator is "assigned" which means you are supplying the ID. Then it makes no diff in hibernate for save or persist. You can go with any method you want. If value is not "assigned" and you are using save() then you will get ID as return from the save() operation.

Another check is if you are performing the operation outside transaction limit or not. Because persist() belongs to JPA while save() for hibernate. So using persist() outside transaction boundaries will not allow to do so and throw exception related to persistant. while with save() no such restriction and one can go with DB transaction through save() outside the transaction limit.