confusion regarding serialization with static and transient variable

[kapilg gupta]

import java.io.*;

public class TestSer{public static void main (String[] args)
{
SpecialSerial s=new SpecialSerial();
try
{
ObjectOutputStream os = new ObjectOutputStream (new FileOutputStream("myFile"));
os.writeObject(s);
os.close();

System.out.println(s.y + " " +s.z);

ObjectInputStream is = new ObjectInputStream(new FileInputStream("myFile"));
SpecialSerial s2= (SpecialSerial)is.readObject();
is.close();
System.out.println(s2.y + " " +s2.z);
}
catch(Exception x) { System.out.println("exc");}
}
}
class SpecialSerial implements Serializable
{
transient int y=7;
static int z =9;
}

Output:-7 9
0 9
I know that static and transient variable are not serialized then how come after deserialization static varible holds its value whereas transient variable is 0.
please explain

[Henry Wong]

Remember that there is only one copy of static variables for all instances of that class -- or basically, the value didn't change!

Try this... After you serialize out to the file, but before you deserialize the file, change the static variable to something else. You'll notice that it will not change back after deserialization.

Henry

[Burkhard Hassel]

G'day mates!

I'll split your question into two:
Q1: Why is the transient variable zero after deserialization?
To serialize an object, the marker interface "Serializable" is implemented. One consequence is, that the constructor of your class "SpecialSerial" will not run in the deserialization process. And so there will be no seven assignet to

transient int y

. The nontransient variables will get their value during deserialization while the transient varables will get a default value. Zero in case of int primitives.

Q2: Why is the static variable (still) nine?
Henry already answered this but anyway: This has nothing to do with serialization. You serialize objects only. But static fields belong to the class. And when you set

static int z = 9;

it will be nine for this class and all its objects for all times. Or until you assign a different value (through any of its objects or through the class itself).

Yours,
A.P.