Attribute customization for XStream. J2XmlExpansion.jar | Discussion
In pattern when serialized XML meant to be used in XSL, some extra information taken from java code could be quite useful.
For example, the boolean variable make a sense to be shown as checkbox and string as editable field.
In order to do so, the information about java object field metadata (type, description, etc.) somehow shall be passed to XML.
Since Java 5 the place where such metadata could be stored is obvious: java source with annotations.

Java Object-to-XML has multiple implementations, but so far implementation of passing attributes with XStream was simpler.
XStream is a nice and simple(yet) Java-to-XML 2-way serialization engine.
J2XmlExpansion.jar has dependency on XStream, currently using version 1.2. It shall be no problems with other versions, just
has not been tested.

Jar goes with binaries and sources. The content meant to be open and easy to customize.

Here is the sample how to generate from class AllTypes XML like:
<AllTypes type="net.firsov.xstreamattributes.AllTypes">
   <intField type="int" FieldDescription="This is int field" FieldName="Integer Field" IntRange.min="0" IntRange.max="10">-1</intField>
   <booleanField type="boolean" FieldName="Boolean Field" FieldDescription="This is boolean field">true</booleanField>
   <doubleField type="double">9.99</doubleField>
   <StringArray type="[Ljava.lang.String;" FieldName="String array" FieldDescription="Just some strings">
      <string>Hello</string> <string>World!</string>
  
</StringArray> 
    <stringField type="java.lang.String">Some string
With second line
</stringField>
   <calField type="java.util.Calendar" FieldName="Calendar" FieldDescription="GregorianCalendar">
      <time>1160084817562</time>
      <timezone>America/New_York</timezone>
    </calField>
</AllTypes> 

/*
 * XmlSerializer.java
 *
 * Created on 2006-10-11 22:13 
*
 * Source is available under BSD license.
 *
 *  Copyright (c) 2006, Sasha Firsov
    All rights reserved.

    Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, 
    are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

    * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, 
        this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
    * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, 
        this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation 
        and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
    * Neither the name of the Sasha Firsov nor the names of its contributors 
        may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software 
        without specific prior written permission.

    THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" 
    AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE 
    IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE 
    ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE 
    LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, 
    OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF 
    SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) 
    HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, 
    OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE 
    OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 *
 *
 * @author © Sasha Firsov
 */

package net.firsov.xstreamattributes;

/**
 *
 */
import net.firsov.net.firsov.j2xml.*;
...
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        class AllTypes
        {
                @Name( "Integer Field" )    @Description("This is int field") 
                @IntRange( min=0, max=10 ) 
            int     intField    = -1;

                @Name( "Boolean Field" )    @Description("This is boolean field")
            boolean booleanField = true;

            double   doubleField = 9.99;

                @Name( "String array" )     @Description("Just some strings")
            String[] StringArray = {"Hello", "World!"};
            String   stringField = "Some string\nWith second line";

                @Name( "Calendar" ) @Description("GregorianCalendar")
            Calendar    calField = new GregorianCalendar();
        }
        AllTypes o = new AllTypes();
        
        XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer( );
        serializer.alias("AllTypes", AllTypes.class );
        String xml = serializer.toXML(o);

        System.out.println(xml);

        o.intField  = 10;
        o.StringArray[1]="Sun";

        serializer.fromXML(xml,o);
        System.out.println( "Default values shall be restored:
			intField="+new AllTypes().intField );
        System.out.println( serializer.toXML(o) );
    }