---
layout: default
description: Relations
---

# Relations

With the annotation `@Relations` applied on a collection or array field in a class annotated with `@Document` the nested objects are fetched from the database over a graph traversal with your current object as the starting point. The most relevant parameter is `edge`. With `edge` you define the edge collection - which should be used in the traversal - using the class type. With the parameter `depth` you can define the maximal depth for the traversal (default 1) and the parameter `direction` defines whether the traversal should follow outgoing or incoming edges (default Direction.ANY).

**Examples**

```java
@Document(value="persons")
public class Person {
  @Relations(edge=Relation.class, depth=1, direction=Direction.ANY)
  private List<Person> friends;
}

@Edge(name="relations")
public class Relation {

}
```

**Note**: Since arangodb-spring-data 3.0.0 the annotation `@Relations` also work on non-collection/non-array fields. If multiple documents are linked with the entity, it is not guaranteed that the same document is returned every time. Use at your own risk.