to select an overview from a database I have to use a statement like this:

```
select a1.begin, a1.end, b1.name, c1.name, d1.name, e1.name, f1.name, ...
from a2, b1, b2, c1, c2, a1
left outer join (d1 join d2 on d2.id = d1.parent and d1.user = ?) on
     d1.deleted = 0 and d1.parent = a1.d1_id
left outer join (e1 join e2 on e2.id = e1.parent and e1.user = ?) on
     e1.deleted = 0 and e1.parent = a1.e1_id
left outer join (f1 join f2 on f2.id = f1.parent and f1.user = ?) on
     f1.deleted = 0 and f1.parent = a1.f1_id
where ....  a lot more stuff...

```

The statement works like a charm and the database has no problem to process it really fast. Believe me, there's definitely no other way to get the required data.

Until now I was pretty proud to say, that I don't have a single word of pure EJB-QL or even SQL in our java project. But now I'm not sure if there is any way to build such a statement by using the CriteriaBuilder. I have absolutely no idea how to create an outer join with more than the single criteria or even with a nested inner join.

Any hints greatly appreciated.

Thanks 
Hennes