Is Using Hibernate's `hbm2ddl.auto=update` in Production a Good Idea?

Is Automatic Schema Updates with Hibernate (hbm2ddl.auto=update) Advisable in Production Environments?

In a production environment, it is strongly discouraged to use Hibernate with the hbm2ddl.auto configuration set to "update." This setting allows Hibernate to automatically alter the database schema to match the Java class definitions, which can be a significant safety concern in a production environment.

Although the Hibernate team has constantly improved automatic schema updates, relying on them in production is highly unsafe. Manual schema updates offer several advantages:

• Control and Review: DBAs can thoroughly review proposed schema changes before applying them, ensuring correctness and avoiding potential errors.
• Custom Patches: Specific database characteristics can be addressed by creating tailored patches that are carefully crafted and tested.
• Performance Optimization: Unlike Hibernate's automatic updates, manual patches can be optimized for specific database systems, improving performance.

While automatic schema updates may function adequately in development environments, their behavior in production can vary significantly. Even if they operate correctly, they may not be optimal, as database professionals, such as DBAs, are specialized in database optimization for efficiency and reliability.

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