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javaserializationmarker-interfaces

Java: What can and what can't be serialized?

If the Serializable interface is just a Marker-Interface that is used for passing some-sort of meta-data about classes in java - I'm a bit confused:

After reading the process of java's serialization algorithm (metadata bottom-to-top, then actual instance data top-to-bottom), I can't really understand what data cannot be processed through that algorithm.

In short and formal:

  1. What data may cause the NotSerializableException?
  2. How should I know that I am not supposed to add the implements Serializable clause for my class?
Solution

  • When you are talking about NotSerializableException it is throw when you want to serialize an object, which has not been marked as Serializable - that's all, although when you extend non serializable class, and add Serializable interface it is perfectly fine.

    There is no data that can't be serialized.