Serializable interface implementation

[Mansukhdeep Thind]

Hi

Whenever we implement the Serializable interface while writing a JavaBean class, I have seen that invariably it contains the following line of code:

private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;

What is the meaning of and purpose of writing this?

[harshvardhan ojha]

This is meant to keep version for your class so that it won't try to deserialize objects having incompatible versions. otherwise it will throw InvalidClassExceptions for incompatible versions.

[Campbell Ritchie]

That actually means that you are using an IDE where you have set an option to include an “default” SUID number in every Serializable class. I think you should take that option off.

Look here, where you will find links to discussion of serialisation, which will help explain what an SUID is.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Another discussion here. See which is the links I quoted is better.