code: @Transactional
      public int findPropertyCount(E entity, SearchParameters sp, String path) {
          return findPropertyCount(entity, sp, metamodelUtil.toAttributes(path, type));
      }
docs: Count the number of E instances.
  
  @param entity a sample entity whose non-null properties may be used as search hint
  @param sp     carries additional search information
  @param path   the path to the property
  @return the number of entities matching the search.