JPA save with multiple entities not rolling back when inside Spring @Transactional and rollback for Exception.class enabled

Question

I have been at this for a good few hours and I can not find a way to get around what seems to be JPARepository automatically starting/committing a transaction when I save entities inside an encapsulating transaction.

I create 3 entities in total. The first 2, ClientAdmin and CreditPot are to be made so when the third Institution entity is made, the entities can form relationships before being persisted.

When an Exception is thrown, I wanted it so that the created entities are NOT COMMITED (i.e. the entire process rolled back).

At the moment, I can see in the logs that the JPA Save method may start its own transaction (I don't fully understand the logs) which causes the entities that have called repo.save(entity) to be committed in their own transaction?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    @Transactional(propagation = Propagation.REQUIRED,rollbackFor = Exception.class)
public void createInstitution(InstitutionSignUpForm form) throws Exception {

    //Create Admin account.
    ClientAdmin clientAdmin = new ClientAdmin();
    clientAdmin.setRole(roleRepo.findOneByRole("SUPER_ADMIN").orElseThrow(() -> new Exception("Can not resolve role SUPER_ADMIN")));
    clientAdmin.setPassword(passwordEncoder.encode(form.getPassword()));
    clientAdmin.setUsername(form.getUsername());
    clientAdmin = clientAdminRepo.save(clientAdmin);

    //Create Credit Pot for institution.
    CreditPot creditPot = new CreditPot();
    creditPot.setIsPrimaryPot(true);
    creditPot.setName("Primary Credit Pot");
    creditPot.setCredits(300L);
    creditPot = creditPotRepo.save(creditPot);

    System.out.println("Throwing Exception.");
    if(1==1) throw new Exception("!!!", new Throwable("!!!"));

    //Create institution and assign relationships.
    Institution institution = new Institution();
    institution.setDiceCode(dicewareGenerator.generateRandomPassword(6));
    institution.setName(form.getInstitutionName());
    institution.setPrimaryCreditPot(creditPot);
    clientAdmin.setInstitution(institution);
    institutionRepo.saveAndFlush(institution);
}

The logs:

    2019-09-12 10:46:41.148 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.j.s.OpenEntityManagerInViewInterceptor : Opening JPA EntityManager in OpenEntityManagerInViewInterceptor
2019-09-12 10:46:41.148 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Bound value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.149 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.149 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Found thread-bound EntityManager [SessionImpl(652375272<open>)] for JPA transaction
2019-09-12 10:46:41.149 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Creating new transaction with name [com.j3den.edu.webserver.services.sigup.InstitutionSignUpService.createInstitution]: PROPAGATION_REQUIRED,ISOLATION_DEFAULT,-java.lang.Exception
2019-09-12 10:46:41.150 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Exposing JPA transaction as JDBC [org.springframework.orm.jpa.vendor.HibernateJpaDialect$HibernateConnectionHandle@74972cba]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.150 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Bound value [org.springframework.jdbc.datasource.ConnectionHolder@19e50439] for key [HikariDataSource (HikariPool-1)] to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.150 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Initializing transaction synchronization
2019-09-12 10:46:41.150 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.TransactionInterceptor           : Getting transaction for [com.j3den.edu.webserver.services.sigup.InstitutionSignUpService.createInstitution]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.150 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Bound value [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.CrudMethodMetadataPostProcessor$DefaultCrudMethodMetadata@304f1d77] for key [public abstract java.util.Optional com.j3den.edu.models.repos.RoleRepo.findOneByRole(java.lang.String)] to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.151 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.TransactionInterceptor           : No need to create transaction for [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.SimpleJpaRepository.findOneByRole]: This method is not transactional.
2019-09-12 10:46:41.151 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.151 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.153 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Removed value [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.CrudMethodMetadataPostProcessor$DefaultCrudMethodMetadata@304f1d77] for key [public abstract java.util.Optional com.j3den.edu.models.repos.RoleRepo.findOneByRole(java.lang.String)] from thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.242 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Bound value [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.CrudMethodMetadataPostProcessor$DefaultCrudMethodMetadata@2d5257a2] for key [public abstract java.lang.Object org.springframework.data.repository.CrudRepository.save(java.lang.Object)] to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.242 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.242 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Found thread-bound EntityManager [SessionImpl(652375272<open>)] for JPA transaction
2019-09-12 10:46:41.242 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.jdbc.datasource.ConnectionHolder@19e50439] for key [HikariDataSource (HikariPool-1)] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.243 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Participating in existing transaction
2019-09-12 10:46:41.243 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.TransactionInterceptor           : Getting transaction for [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.SimpleJpaRepository.save]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.243 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.244 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.TransactionInterceptor           : Completing transaction for [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.SimpleJpaRepository.save]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.245 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Removed value [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.CrudMethodMetadataPostProcessor$DefaultCrudMethodMetadata@2d5257a2] for key [public abstract java.lang.Object org.springframework.data.repository.CrudRepository.save(java.lang.Object)] from thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.245 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Bound value [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.CrudMethodMetadataPostProcessor$DefaultCrudMethodMetadata@2d5257a2] for key [public abstract java.lang.Object org.springframework.data.repository.CrudRepository.save(java.lang.Object)] to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.245 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.245 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Found thread-bound EntityManager [SessionImpl(652375272<open>)] for JPA transaction
2019-09-12 10:46:41.245 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.jdbc.datasource.ConnectionHolder@19e50439] for key [HikariDataSource (HikariPool-1)] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.245 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Participating in existing transaction
2019-09-12 10:46:41.245 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.TransactionInterceptor           : Getting transaction for [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.SimpleJpaRepository.save]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.245 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Retrieved value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] bound to thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.246 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.TransactionInterceptor           : Completing transaction for [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.SimpleJpaRepository.save]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.247 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Removed value [org.springframework.data.jpa.repository.support.CrudMethodMetadataPostProcessor$DefaultCrudMethodMetadata@2d5257a2] for key [public abstract java.lang.Object org.springframework.data.repository.CrudRepository.save(java.lang.Object)] from thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
Throwing Exception.
2019-09-12 10:46:41.247 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.TransactionInterceptor           : Completing transaction for [com.j3den.edu.webserver.services.sigup.InstitutionSignUpService.createInstitution] after exception: java.lang.Exception: !!!
2019-09-12 10:46:41.247 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.RuleBasedTransactionAttribute    : Applying rules to determine whether transaction should rollback on java.lang.Exception: !!!
2019-09-12 10:46:41.247 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.t.i.RuleBasedTransactionAttribute    : Winning rollback rule is: RollbackRuleAttribute with pattern [java.lang.Exception]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.247 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Initiating transaction rollback
2019-09-12 10:46:41.247 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Rolling back JPA transaction on EntityManager [SessionImpl(652375272<open>)]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.248 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Clearing transaction synchronization
2019-09-12 10:46:41.248 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Removed value [org.springframework.jdbc.datasource.ConnectionHolder@19e50439] for key [HikariDataSource (HikariPool-1)] from thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.248 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.s.orm.jpa.JpaTransactionManager        : Not closing pre-bound JPA EntityManager after transaction
2019-09-12 10:46:41.248 TRACE 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] .s.t.s.TransactionSynchronizationManager : Removed value [org.springframework.orm.jpa.EntityManagerHolder@5ed67928] for key [org.springframework.orm.jpa.LocalContainerEntityManagerFactoryBean@70286b92] from thread [http-nio-5000-exec-6]
2019-09-12 10:46:41.248 DEBUG 24621 --- [nio-5000-exec-6] o.j.s.OpenEntityManagerInViewInterceptor : Closing JPA EntityManager in OpenEntityManagerInViewInterceptor

Answer 1

MySQL historically by default created tables using the MyISAM engine, which didn't support transactions. Later InnoDB was added which did support transactions, however MyISAM remained the default for quite some time.

Hibernate with its dialects followed the same defaults and hence the default for the MySQL dialect is MyISAM (for backwards compatibility).

You have 2 ways to fix this, either select a specific dialect or toggle from MyISAM to InnoDB with a specific property.

To select a dialect use the spring.jpa.database-platform to specify the required dependency.

spring.jpa.database-platform=org.hibernate.dialect.MySQL57InnoDBDialect`

or to set the property use

spring.jpa.properties.hibernate.dialect.storage_engine=innodb

or a combination of both (as the MySQL57InnoDBDialect is deprecated now that there is the hibernate.dialect.storage_engine property).

spring.jpa.database-platform=org.hibernate.dialect.MySQL57Dialect
spring.jpa.properties.hibernate.dialect.storage_engine=innodb

See also: https://in.relation.to/2017/02/20/mysql-dialect-refactoring/