• Table

Chapter: Java Serialization and Deserialization

1. Basics of Java Serialization

Introduction to Serialization: Serialization is the process of converting an object's state into a byte stream, which can be easily saved to a file, sent over a network, or stored in other mediums. The primary purpose of serialization is to enable data persistence and facilitate the transfer of objects between different environments.

Understanding Object State and Byte Stream:

• Object State: The state of an object refers to the current values of its attributes at a specific moment. This includes all fields or properties that define the object's identity.
• Byte Stream: A sequence of bytes that represents data in a continuous flow, which can be transmitted or stored.

Why Serialization?

• Communication: Allows objects to be easily transferred over networks.
• Persistence: Stores the state of an object in a database or file for later retrieval.
• Cloning: Facilitates the creation of exact copies of objects.
• Performance: Deserializing a byte stream into an object is faster than creating a new object from scratch.

Implementing Serialization in Java: To serialize an object in Java, the class of the object must implement the Serializable interface, which is part of the java.io package. The Serializable interface is a marker interface, meaning it does not contain any methods but indicates that the class can be serialized.

Example:

import java.io.Serializable;

public class Student implements Serializable {
    private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
    private int id;
    private String name;

    public Student(int id, String name) {
        this.id = id;
        this.name = name;
    }

    // Getters and setters omitted for brevity
}

Serial Version UID: The SerialVersionUID is a unique identifier for each serializable class. It ensures that the same class is used during serialization and deserialization. If a class is modified and the SerialVersionUID is not updated, it can lead to errors during deserialization.

Example:

private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;