What is Serialization and Deserialization in Java, and How Do You Perform Each?

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Serialization

  • Serialization is the process of converting an object into a byte stream, enabling it to be easily saved to a file or transmitted over a network. This allows the object's state to be preserved and later reconstructed.

Deserialization

  • Deserialization is the reverse process, where the byte stream is converted back into a Java object. This reconstructs the original object from the serialized data.

❓ How to Serialize an Object in Java:

1. Implement Serializable Interface:

  • The class of the object to be serialized must implement the java.io.Serializable interface.
  • Example

```java

import java.io.Serializable;

public class User implements Serializable {

private static final long serialVersionUID \= 1L; // Recommended for version control

private String name;

private int age;

   // Constructor, getters, and setters

}

```

2. Use ObjectOutputStream:

  • Create an instance of ObjectOutputStream and write the object to a file or output stream.
  • Example

```java

import java.io.FileOutputStream;

import java.io.ObjectOutputStream;

public class SerializeExample {

public static void main(String[] args) {

User user \= new User("Alice", 30);

try (FileOutputStream fileOut \= new FileOutputStream("user.ser");

ObjectOutputStream out \= new ObjectOutputStream(fileOut)) {

out.writeObject(user);

} catch (Exception e) {

e.printStackTrace();

}

}

}

```

❓ How to Deserialize an Object in Java:

1. Use ObjectInputStream:

  • Create an instance of ObjectInputStream and read the object from the file or input stream.
  • Example

```java

import java.io.FileInputStream;

import java.io.ObjectInputStream;

public class DeserializeExample {

public static void main(String[] args) {

User user \= null;

try (FileInputStream fileIn \= new FileInputStream("user.ser");

ObjectInputStream in \= new ObjectInputStream(fileIn)) {

user \= (User) in.readObject();

} catch (Exception e) {

e.printStackTrace();

}

// Use the deserialized object

System.out.println("Name: " + user.getName() + ", Age: " + user.getAge());

}

}

```