How do I copy an object in Java?

Question

Consider the code below:

DummyBean dum = new DummyBean();
dum.setDummy(\"foo\");
System.out.println(dum.getDummy()); // prints \'foo\'

DummyBean dumtwo = du         


        

Answer 1

I use Google's JSON library to serialize it then create a new instance of the serialized object. It does deep copy with a few restrictions:

• there can't be any recursive references

• it won't copy arrays of disparate types

• arrays and lists should be typed or it won't find the class to instantiate

• you may need to encapsulate strings in a class you declare yourself

I also use this class to save user preferences, windows and whatnot to be reloaded at runtime. It is very easy to use and effective.

import com.google.gson.*;

public class SerialUtils {

//___________________________________________________________________________________

public static String serializeObject(Object o) {
    Gson gson = new Gson();
    String serializedObject = gson.toJson(o);
    return serializedObject;
}
//___________________________________________________________________________________

public static Object unserializeObject(String s, Object o){
    Gson gson = new Gson();
    Object object = gson.fromJson(s, o.getClass());
    return object;
}
       //___________________________________________________________________________________
public static Object cloneObject(Object o){
    String s = serializeObject(o);
    Object object = unserializeObject(s,o);
    return object;
}
}