Save sub object first and then call final repository save method.
@PostMapping("/save")
public String save(@ModelAttribute("shortcode") @Valid Shortcode shortcode, BindingResult result) {
Shortcode existingShortcode = shortcodeService.findByShortcode(shortcode.getShortcode());
if (existingShortcode != null) {
result.rejectValue(shortcode.getShortcode(), "This shortode is already created.");
}
if (result.hasErrors()) {
return "redirect:/shortcode/create";
}
**shortcode.setUser(userService.findByUsername(shortcode.getUser().getUsername()));**
shortcodeService.save(shortcode);
return "redirect:/shortcode/create?success";
}