Serialization

Serializing Objects

• Converting objects into a stream of bytes usually for saving, upating a database, folders, etc.
• Java can automate the serializing of objects for you
• Implement the serializbale interface
• Classes ObjectOutputStream and ObjectInputStream can be used to easily write and read objects that are Serializable
• No new code needed when adding new members

public class StudentClass implements Serializable {
  // Now anything sent here is serializable
}

Serializability

• Not everything can or should be serializable.
  • Security concerns
  • Technical reasons
    • Why would you serialize a thread, no point
    • The object state only makes sense
• Specifying a class containing members that aren't serializable
  • Objects of your class can't be serialized
  • • Unless you specify those members are "transient"
• Transient members are not included in the serialized result
  • Can still be useful whtn he member can be computed or determined after deserializing the rest of the object