title: Why is it not possible to extend annotations in Java?
body: <p>I don't understand why there is no inheritance in Java annotations, just as Java classes. I think it would be very useful.</p>
  
  <p>For example: I want to know if a given annotation is a validator. With inheritance, I could reflexively navigate through superclasses to know if this annotation extends a <code>ValidatorAnnotation</code>. Otherwise, how can I achieve this?</p>
  
  <p>So, can anyone give me a reason for this design decision?</p>