How to serialize static data members of a Java class?

Question

When we serialize objects, static members are not serialized, but if we need to do so, is there any way out?

Answer 1

Folks, static doesn't mean IMMUTABLE. For instance, I may want to serialize the whole state of the computation (yes, including static fields -- counters, etc) to resume later, after JVM and/or host computer restarted.

The right answer to that, as already said, is to use Externalizable, not Serializable, interface. Then you have a complete control on what and how you externalize.