JDK Contents

Object Serialization

Object Serialization extends the core Java Input/Output classes with support for objects. Object Serialization supports the encoding of objects, and the objects reachable from them, into a stream of bytes; and it supports the complementary reconstruction of the object graph from the stream. Serialization is used for lightweight persistence and for communication via sockets or Remote Method Invocation (RMI). The default encoding of objects protects private and transient data, and supports the evolution of the classes. A class may implement its own external encoding and is then solely responsible for the external format.

Object Serialization Specification

Object Serialization Specification

Object Serialization API Reference
(javadoc)

java.io Package

Object Serialization Tool

serialver (for Solaris) (for Windows) - The Java Serial Version Command

Object Serialization Release Notes

Release Notes