/**
 * JDBM LICENSE v1.00
 *
 * Redistribution and use of this software and associated documentation
 * ("Software"), with or without modification, are permitted provided
 * that the following conditions are met:
 *
 * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain copyright
 *    statements and notices.  Redistributions must also contain a
 *    copy of this document.
 *
 * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the
 *    above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the
 *    following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
 *    materials provided with the distribution.
 *
 * 3. The name "JDBM" must not be used to endorse or promote
 *    products derived from this Software without prior written
 *    permission of Cees de Groot.  For written permission,
 *    please contact cg@cdegroot.com.
 *
 * 4. Products derived from this Software may not be called "JDBM"
 *    nor may "JDBM" appear in their names without prior written
 *    permission of Cees de Groot.
 *
 * 5. Due credit should be given to the JDBM Project
 *    (http://jdbm.sourceforge.net/).
 *
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE JDBM PROJECT AND CONTRIBUTORS
 * ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT
 * NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
 * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.  IN NO EVENT SHALL
 * CEES DE GROOT OR ANY CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT,
 * INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
 * (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
 * SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
 * HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
 * STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
 * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED
 * OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 *
 * Copyright 2001 (C) Alex Boisvert. All Rights Reserved.
 * Contributions are Copyright (C) 2001 by their associated contributors.
 *
 */

package jdbm.helper;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.Serializable;

/**
 * Interface used to provide a serialization mechanism other than a class' normal
 * serialization.
 *
 * @author <a href="mailto:boisvert@intalio.com">Alex Boisvert</a>
 * @version $Id: Serializer.java,v 1.1 2003/03/21 02:48:42 boisvert Exp $
 */
public interface Serializer
    extends Serializable
{

    /**
     * Serialize the content of an object into a byte array.
     *
     * @param obj Object to serialize
     * @return a byte array representing the object's state
     */
     public byte[] serialize( Object obj )
        throws IOException;
        
        
    /**
     * Deserialize the content of an object from a byte array.
     *
     * @param serialized Byte array representation of the object
     * @return deserialized object
     */
     public Object deserialize( byte[] serialized )
        throws IOException;

}