JiBX: JiBX Binding Definition

# JiBX: Binding Definition Overview

### Binding Definition Overview

A binding definition is an XML document that defines the rules for converting your Java objects to and from XML. The JiBX binding compiler takes one or more binding definitions as input, along with your actual class files. It compiles the binding definitions into Java byte code that it adds to the class files. Once the class files have been enhanced with this compiled binding definition code, they're ready to work with the JiBX runtime.

You can provide as many binding definitions as you want for the same set of classes (or for different classes). The binding compiler automatically generates code for all the bindings you provide. It even reuses added code between bindings, whereever possible. However, each time you marshal or unmarshal an XML document you'll first need to decide which particular binding you're going to use for this document. Each binding is independent of the others, so you can't switch between bindings within a single document.