Serialization and Deserialization in Java Spring Boot: A Comprehensive Guide

Serialization and deserialization are fundamental processes in Java for converting objects into a format that can be stored or transmitted and then reconstructing them back to their original state. In Spring Boot applications, these processes are pivotal for data exchange between services, APIs, and databases. This blog will delve into serialization and deserialization in Spring Boot, complete with examples.

What is Serialization?

Serialization is the process of converting an object into a byte stream so that it can be persisted to a file, database, or transmitted over a network. This byte stream can then be deserialized to recreate the original object.

What is Deserialization?

Deserialization is the reverse of serialization. It involves converting a byte stream back into an object. This is particularly useful when reading data from external sources like files, APIs, or network sockets.

Serialization and Deserialization in Spring Boot

Spring Boot applications often use JSON as the format for serialization and deserialization, facilitated by libraries like Jackson (the default JSON library for Spring Boot).