A point-cut designator (PCD) is a keyword (initial word) that tells Spring AOP how to match the point-cut. Spring AOP supports various point-cut designators:
- execution: This is used to match method execution (join-points). This is a primary designator, and is used most of the time while working with Spring AOP.
- within: This designator has the limitation of matching of join-points within certain types only. It's not as flexible as execution. For example, it's not allowed to specify return types or method parameter mapping. If the patterns with within are up to the Java package, it matches all methods of all classes within that package. If the pattern is pointing to a specific class, then this designator will cover all ...
