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Interface java.io.Externalizable

public interface Externalizable
extends Serializable
Externalization allows a class to specify the methods to be used to write the object's contents to a stream and to read them back. The Externalizable interface's writeExternal and readExternal methods are implemented by a class to give the class complete control over the format and contents of the stream for an object and its supertypes. These methods must explicitly coordinate with the supertype to save its state.
Object Serialization uses the Serializable and Externalizable interfaces. Object persistence mechanisms may use them also. Each object to be stored is tested for the Externalizable interface. If the object supports it, the writeExternal method is called. If the object does not support Externalizable and does implement Serializable the object should be saved using ObjectOutputStream.
When an Externalizable object is to be reconstructed, an instance is created using the public no-arg constructor and the readExternal method called. Serializable objects are restored by reading them from an ObjectInputStream.

Since:
JDK1.1
See Also:
ObjectOutputStream, ObjectInputStream, ObjectOutput, ObjectInput, Serializable

Method Index

o readExternal(ObjectInput)
The object implements the readExternal method to restore its contents by calling the methods of DataInput for primitive types and readObject for objects, strings and arrays.
o writeExternal(ObjectOutput)
The object implements the writeExternal method to save its contents by calling the methods of DataOutput for its primitive values or calling the writeObject method of ObjectOutput for objects, strings and arrays.

Methods

o writeExternal 
 public abstract void writeExternal(ObjectOutput out) throws IOException
The object implements the writeExternal method to save its contents by calling the methods of DataOutput for its primitive values or calling the writeObject method of ObjectOutput for objects, strings and arrays.

Throws: IOException
Includes any I/O exceptions that may occur
o readExternal 
 public abstract void readExternal(ObjectInput in) throws IOException, ClassNotFoundException
The object implements the readExternal method to restore its contents by calling the methods of DataInput for primitive types and readObject for objects, strings and arrays. The readExternal method must read the values in the same sequence and with the same types as were written by writeExternal.

Throws: ClassNotFoundException
If the class for an object being restored cannot be found. 
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