Class SerializationUtils

java.lang.Object
org.apache.commons.lang3.SerializationUtils

public class SerializationUtils extends Object
Assists with the serialization process and performs additional functionality based on serialization.
  • Deep clone using serialization
  • Serialize managing finally and IOException
  • Deserialize managing finally and IOException

This class throws exceptions for invalid null inputs. Each method documents its behavior in more detail.

#ThreadSafe#

Since:
1.0
  • Constructor Details

    • SerializationUtils

      Deprecated.
      TODO Make private in 4.0.
      SerializationUtils instances should NOT be constructed in standard programming. Instead, the class should be used as SerializationUtils.clone(object).

      This constructor is public to permit tools that require a JavaBean instance to operate.

      Since:
      2.0
  • Method Details

    • clone

      public static <T extends Serializable> T clone(T object)
      Deep clone an Object using serialization.

      This is many times slower than writing clone methods by hand on all objects in your object graph. However, for complex object graphs, or for those that don't support deep cloning this can be a simple alternative implementation. Of course all the objects must be Serializable.

      Type Parameters:
      T - the type of the object involved
      Parameters:
      object - the Serializable object to clone
      Returns:
      the cloned object
      Throws:
      SerializationException - (runtime) if the serialization fails
    • deserialize

      public static <T> T deserialize(byte[] objectData)
      Deserializes a single Object from an array of bytes.

      If the call site incorrectly types the return value, a ClassCastException is thrown from the call site. Without Generics in this declaration, the call site must type cast and can cause the same ClassCastException. Note that in both cases, the ClassCastException is in the call site, not in this method.

      Type Parameters:
      T - the object type to be deserialized
      Parameters:
      objectData - the serialized object, must not be null
      Returns:
      the deserialized object
      Throws:
      NullPointerException - if objectData is null
      SerializationException - (runtime) if the serialization fails
    • deserialize

      public static <T> T deserialize(InputStream inputStream)
      Deserializes an Object from the specified stream.

      The stream will be closed once the object is written. This avoids the need for a finally clause, and maybe also exception handling, in the application code.

      The stream passed in is not buffered internally within this method. This is the responsibility of your application if desired.

      If the call site incorrectly types the return value, a ClassCastException is thrown from the call site. Without Generics in this declaration, the call site must type cast and can cause the same ClassCastException. Note that in both cases, the ClassCastException is in the call site, not in this method.

      Type Parameters:
      T - the object type to be deserialized
      Parameters:
      inputStream - the serialized object input stream, must not be null
      Returns:
      the deserialized object
      Throws:
      NullPointerException - if inputStream is null
      SerializationException - (runtime) if the serialization fails
    • roundtrip

      public static <T extends Serializable> T roundtrip(T obj)
      Performs a serialization roundtrip. Serializes and deserializes the given object, great for testing objects that implement Serializable.
      Type Parameters:
      T - the type of the object involved
      Parameters:
      obj - the object to roundtrip
      Returns:
      the serialized and deserialized object
      Since:
      3.3
    • serialize

      public static byte[] serialize(Serializable obj)
      Serializes an Object to a byte array for storage/serialization.
      Parameters:
      obj - the object to serialize to bytes
      Returns:
      a byte[] with the converted Serializable
      Throws:
      SerializationException - (runtime) if the serialization fails
    • serialize

      public static void serialize(Serializable obj, OutputStream outputStream)
      Serializes an Object to the specified stream.

      The stream will be closed once the object is written. This avoids the need for a finally clause, and maybe also exception handling, in the application code.

      The stream passed in is not buffered internally within this method. This is the responsibility of your application if desired.

      Parameters:
      obj - the object to serialize to bytes, may be null
      outputStream - the stream to write to, must not be null
      Throws:
      NullPointerException - if outputStream is null
      SerializationException - (runtime) if the serialization fails