'Mastering Java Persistence API' is geared towards experiencing the functioning of JPA and the extent of its use in Java SE and Java EE applications. While the book's primary objective is to develop competence in JPA, it also takes a simpler approach to refresh readers on basic database management system concepts and how to design simple JPA applications.

The book begins with the ideas like ORM, EJB CMP, and the difficulties associated with data conversion from a database to an application and vice versa are handled spontaneously. The book discusses Table, Row, Column, Cell, and various forms of Relationships and progress sequentially through the JPA concepts. It also discusses database processes such as identity generation, sequencing, locking, querying, persisting, caching, and transaction management in detail and emphasizes how JPA handles them. Further, the book covers the architecture and setup of two of the most extensively used JPA provider implementations (Hibernate and EclipseLink) in detail.

Additionally, this book includes sample functioning code for connecting to a MySQL database.
Each JPA functionality is illustrated with a code snippet, making it easier to modify these features as the application develops. This book teaches both beginners and seasoned professionals how to integrate JPA concepts in their employment through numerous problems and answers spanning each of the topics.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Java Persistence API and Object-Relational Mapping
2. Tables - Attributes and Embeddable Objects
3. Operations - Identity, Sequencing and Locking
4. Relationships - Types and Strategies
5. Query Infrastructure
6. Entity Manager - Persisting, Caching, and Transaction
7. Hibernate and EclipseLink
8. Appendix Part 1: JPA Advanced Topics
9. Appendix Part 2: Sample JPA Application and Questions