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Java Academy · Lesson

Java Serialization Basics

Implement Serializable, write objects to streams with ObjectOutputStream, and read them back.

What Is Java Serialization?

Serialization converts an object's state into a byte stream so it can be saved to disk, sent over a network, or stored in a database. Deserialization reverses the process.

The Serializable Marker Interface

To serialize a class, implement java.io.Serializable. It has no methods — it signals to the JVM that instances of this class can be serialized.

import java.io.Serializable;
public class User implements Serializable {
    private String name;
    private int age;
    public User(String name, int age) {
        this.name = name;
        this.age = age;
    }
    @Override public String toString() { return name + " / " + age; }
}

All lessons in this course

  1. Java Serialization Basics
  2. transient Fields and serialVersionUID
  3. Custom Serialization: writeObject and readObject
  4. Modern Alternatives: JSON and Protocol Buffers
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