How to add a complex order - using Hibernate Criteria?

Question

I use Hibernate criteria and would like to add an order-by clause that functionally matches this SQL:

order by abs(dateSubmitted - 125234234) 

Where dateSubmitted long and the number subtracted from it will be provided by the user (as a date). I am trying to order entries by their "distance" from a date provided by the user.

I tried

 criteria.addOrder("abs(dateSubmitted - " + getDateInput() + ")"); 

but that will not work.

Is it possible? Or will I have to abandon the criteria for HQL? I have successfully done this in HQL, but would like to adhere to the criteria, if possible to ensure consistency.

Answer 1

Perhaps create your own Order class, for example:

http://blog.tremend.ro/2008/06/10/how-to-order-by-a-custom-sql-formulaexpression-when-using-hibernate-criteria-api/

I'm going to use this :)