How to Serialize and Deserialize Classes with Custom Data Type Members in C ?

Serialization of Classes with Custom Data Type Members in C

Problem:

How do you efficiently serialize and deserialize a class containing multiple members of custom data types?

Answer:

To efficiently serialize and deserialize a class containing custom data types, consider the following:

Suggested Interface:

<code class="cpp">std::vector<uint8_t> serialize(Mango const&amp; Man);
Mango                deserialize(std::span<uint8_t const>> data);</code>

Implementations:

<code class="cpp">std::vector<uint8_t> serialize(Mango const&amp; Man) {
    std::vector<uint8_t> bytes;
    do_generate(back_inserter(bytes), Man);
    return bytes;
}

Mango deserialize(std::span<uint8_t const> data) {
    Mango result;
    auto  f = begin(data), l = end(data);
    if (!do_parse(f, l, result))
        throw std::runtime_error("deserialize");
    return result;
}

void serialize_to_stream(std::ostream&amp; os, Mango const&amp; Man)  {
    do_generate(std::ostreambuf_iterator<char>(os), Man);
}

void deserialize(std::istream&amp; is, Mango&amp; Man) {
    Man = {}; // clear it!
    std::istreambuf_iterator<char> f(is), l{};
    if (!do_parse(f, l, Man))
        throw std::runtime_error("deserialize");
}</code>

Custom Data Types Parsers and Generators:

These handle the serialization/deserialization of your custom data types (see answer for detailed examples).

Portability:

• Ensure endianness is consistent if necessary.
• Consider using Boost Endian (header-only) to normalize endianness cross-platform.

Additional Notes:

• Custom data types must be trivially copyable for efficient serialization.
• Avoid using boost serialization directly as it requires linking.
• Consider using the suggested header-only helper functions for flexibility and efficiency.

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