Externalizable array in Java

Question

I need to send over the network an array of Externalizable objects for maintainability and performance reasons (Serializable is not enough).

The documentation says that all arrays in Java are Serializable. Is it possible to have an array that is also Externalizable? If not, what are the workarounds to still have benefits of Externalizable and send a bunch of these objects over the network?

Stringify to JSON like half of the world do? Serialize to byte array and send over? — Antoniossss, Sep 19 '18 at 09:46
@Antoniossss this would be true for a new solution, but I just need to extend current one which uses serialization — Michal Kordas, Sep 19 '18 at 10:44
@Antoniossss he said "for performance reasons", so that would rule out using JSON to send an array. It would probably be worse than serializing it. — rghome, Sep 19 '18 at 17:25
The funny thig is tha externalizable is serializable - how does that make you gain performance ? — Antoniossss, Sep 20 '18 at 06:35

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 19 '18 at 09:49

0

You can't easily make arrays externalizable (I am guessing it might be possible with byte-code manipulation or something).

However, what you probably are doing is not sending the raw array, but sending some other class that includes the raw array. So you can implement Externalizable in that class such that it can send and receive all its contents in the format you desire.

In the case that the array is really the only thing you want to send, this other class could be a simple wrapper.

answered Sep 19 '18 at 09:49

rghome

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I'm sending a raw array, that's my interface that I must conform to – Michal Kordas Sep 19 '18 at 10:42
So your interface is send(Externalizable e) or something like that? Maybe give an example. – rghome Sep 19 '18 at 17:24

Externalizable array in Java

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