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

Add Cloneable and below code to your class

public Object clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException {
        return super.clone();
    }

Use this clonedObject = (YourClass) yourClassObject.clone();

Answer 2

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;
}
}

Answer 3

Here's a decent explanation of clone() if you end up needing it...

Here: clone (Java method)

Answer 4

Use a deep cloning utility:

SomeObjectType copy = new Cloner().deepClone(someObject);

This will deep copy any java object, check it out at https://github.com/kostaskougios/cloning

Answer 5

Why is there no answer for using Reflection API?

private static Object cloneObject(Object obj){
        try{
            Object clone = obj.getClass().newInstance();
            for (Field field : obj.getClass().getDeclaredFields()) {
                field.setAccessible(true);
                field.set(clone, field.get(obj));
            }
            return clone;
        }catch(Exception e){
            return null;
        }
    }

It's really simple.

EDIT: Include child object via recursion

private static Object cloneObject(Object obj){
        try{
            Object clone = obj.getClass().newInstance();
            for (Field field : obj.getClass().getDeclaredFields()) {
                field.setAccessible(true);
                if(field.get(obj) == null || Modifier.isFinal(field.getModifiers())){
                    continue;
                }
                if(field.getType().isPrimitive() || field.getType().equals(String.class)
                        || field.getType().getSuperclass().equals(Number.class)
                        || field.getType().equals(Boolean.class)){
                    field.set(clone, field.get(obj));
                }else{
                    Object childObj = field.get(obj);
                    if(childObj == obj){
                        field.set(clone, clone);
                    }else{
                        field.set(clone, cloneObject(field.get(obj)));
                    }
                }
            }
            return clone;
        }catch(Exception e){
            return null;
        }
    }

Answer 6

Yes, you are just making a reference to the object. You can clone the object if it implements Cloneable.

Check out this wiki article about copying objects.

Refer here: Object copying