Before the introduction of Annotations, we were extensively using XML for metadata. Using XML for metadata as configurations separates the configuration from the code. At the later stage, when enterprise applications grown up, maintenance of XML was getting inconvenienced. Also, XML loosely couples from the code, in some cases almost separates. Then architects & developers started looking for solutions which can be tightly coupled with the code instead of XML. Then the solution was an introduction to Annotations. Don't get confused with the fact that we should always prefer loose coupling as it differs in case of Annotations. You will feel the benefits almost always when you completely understand the topic 'Annotations In Java'. Just using an annotation instead of creating