Retention (Java Platform SE 8 )
Keywords: java.lang.annotation.Retention class
Date: 2026-04-17

java.lang.annotation

## Annotation Type Retention

-     @Documented
       @Retention(value=RUNTIME)
       @Target(value=ANNOTATION_TYPE)
      public @interface Retention

  Indicates how long annotations with the annotated type are to be retained. If no Retention annotation is present on an annotation type declaration, the retention policy defaults to `RetentionPolicy.CLASS`.

  A Retention meta-annotation has effect only if the meta-annotated type is used directly for annotation. It has no effect if the meta-annotated type is used as a member type in another annotation type.

  Since:
    1.5
  See The Java™ Language Specification:
    9.6.3.2 @Retention

- - ### Required Element Summary

    Required Elements
    Modifier and Type | Required Element and Description
    --- | ---
    `RetentionPolicy` | `value` Returns the retention policy.

- - ### Element Detail

    - #### value

          public abstract RetentionPolicy value

      Returns the retention policy.
      Returns:
        the retention policy

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