Re: java serialization alternative

Bob Lee wrote:
>
> My problem with serialization is with the lack of tooling potential and all
> the problems you run into when it comes time to upgrade your code in a
> compatible way.
I'll grant this is an issue, and soemhign we face  on Dakrstar
projects.  I actually have in mind the equivalent of a "merge tool" for
moving serialized data from one code base to a new one.  Hopefully IU'l
have time to start prototyping that in the not too distant future.

> The fact that serialization can serialize your objects
> transparently is deceptively seductive. The result is almost never what I
> want, so I end up writing the code manually anyway and the result is much
> messier than if I had used PBs or something else (though I suppose you could
> use PBs within your serialization logic!).
>
This gets back to my power tool comment.  A wiseman once said "its a bad
idea to automate sharp objects."  Serialization IS one of those
automated sharp objects.  Like any other dangerous power tool it can be
very valuable, but you can't use it blindly without danger of injury.

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