How to marshal/unmarshal Java objects with private fields using JAXB

Question

I know the basics of the JAXB API, but I am stuck with something I am trying to do, and I am not sure whether it is actually possible. Details are as follows:

I have

Answer 1

JAXB will need either: - A public instance variable Or - A private instance variable with public mutators and accessors.

You will need mutators for marshalling and acessors for unmarshalling

Answer 2

You should keep your fields private in any case. You have 2 options binding to fields

1) annotate your fields with XmlElement or XmlAttribute annotation

@XmlRootElement(name="book")
public class Book {
    @XmlElement
    private String title;
    ...

2) annotate your class with @XmlAccessorType(XmlAccessType.FIELD)

    @XmlRootElement(name="book")
    @XmlAccessorType(XmlAccessType.FIELD)
    public class Book {
         private String title;
         ...