---
title: "What is the difference between Serializalble and Externalizable interface?"  
description: "What is the difference between Serializalble and Externalizable interface?"  
author: "Anonymous User"  
published: 2015-05-01  
updated: 2020-09-19  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/2465/what-is-the-difference-between-serializalble-and-externalizable-interface  
category: "java"  
tags: ["java"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# What is the difference between Serializalble and Externalizable interface?

**Serializable** is a marker interface but Externalizable is not a marker interface.When you use Serializable interface, your class is serialized automatically by default. But you can override writeObject() and readObject() two methods to control more complex object serailization process. When you use Externalizable interface, you have a complete control over your class's serialization process.

## Answers

### Answer by Anonymous User

**Serializable** is a marker interface but Externalizable is not a marker interface.When you use Serializable interface, your class is serialized automatically by default. But you can override writeObject() and readObject() two methods to control more complex object serailization process. When you use Externalizable interface, you have a complete control over your class's serialization process.


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/interview/2465/what-is-the-difference-between-serializalble-and-externalizable-interface

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