package java.lang.annotation;

/**
 * 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
 * {@code RetentionPolicy.CLASS}.
 *
 * <p>
 * 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.
 */
@Documented
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME)
@Target(ElementType.ANNOTATION_TYPE)
public @interface Retention {

    /**
     * Returns the retention policy.
     *
     * @return the retention policy
     */
    // NOSONAR explicitly declared to avoid Eclipse 2020 JDT builder errors.
    @SuppressWarnings("null")
    RetentionPolicy value();
}