How do I copy an object in Java?
JavaObjectCopyCloneJava Problem Overview
Consider the code below:
DummyBean dum = new DummyBean();
dum.setDummy("foo");
System.out.println(dum.getDummy()); // prints 'foo'
DummyBean dumtwo = dum;
System.out.println(dumtwo.getDummy()); // prints 'foo'
dum.setDummy("bar");
System.out.println(dumtwo.getDummy()); // prints 'bar' but it should print 'foo'
So, I want to copy the dum
to dumtwo
and change dum
without affecting the dumtwo
. But the code above is not doing that. When I change something in dum
, the same change is happening in dumtwo
also.
I guess, when I say dumtwo = dum
, Java copies the reference only. So, is there any way to create a fresh copy of dum
and assign it to dumtwo
?
Java Solutions
Solution 1 - Java
Create a copy constructor:
class DummyBean {
private String dummy;
public DummyBean(DummyBean another) {
this.dummy = another.dummy; // you can access
}
}
Every object has also a clone method which can be used to copy the object, but don't use it. It's way too easy to create a class and do improper clone method. If you are going to do that, read at least what Joshua Bloch has to say about it in Effective Java.
Solution 2 - Java
Basic: Object Copying in Java.
Let us Assume an object- obj1
, that contains two objects, containedObj1 and containedObj2.
shallow copying:
shallow copying creates a new instance
of the same class and copies all the fields to the new instance and returns it. Object class provides a clone
method and provides support for the shallow copying.
Deep copying:
A deep copy occurs when an object is copied along with the objects to which it refers. Below image shows obj1
after a deep copy has been performed on it. Not only has obj1
been copied, but the objects contained within it have been copied as well. We can use Java Object Serialization
to make a deep copy. Unfortunately, this approach has some problems too(detailed examples).
Possible Problems:
clone
is tricky to implement correctly.
It's better to use Defensive copying, copy constructors(as @egaga reply) or static factory methods.
- If you have an object, that you know has a public
clone()
method, but you don’t know the type of the object at compile time, then you have problem. Java has an interface calledCloneable
. In practice, we should implement this interface if we want to make an objectCloneable
.Object.clone
is protected, so we must override it with a public method in order for it to be accessible. - Another problem arises when we try deep copying of a complex object. Assume that the
clone()
method of all member object variables also does deep copy, this is too risky of an assumption. You must control the code in all classes.
For example org.apache.commons.lang.SerializationUtils will have method for Deep clone using serialization(Source). If we need to clone Bean then there are couple of utility methods in org.apache.commons.beanutils (Source).
cloneBean
will Clone a bean based on the available property getters and setters, even if the bean class itself does not implement Cloneable.copyProperties
will Copy property values from the origin bean to the destination bean for all cases where the property names are the same.
Solution 3 - Java
In the package import org.apache.commons.lang.SerializationUtils;
there is a method:
SerializationUtils.clone(Object);
Example:
this.myObjectCloned = SerializationUtils.clone(this.object);
Solution 4 - Java
Just follow as below:
public class Deletable implements Cloneable{
private String str;
public Deletable(){
}
public void setStr(String str){
this.str = str;
}
public void display(){
System.out.println("The String is "+str);
}
protected Object clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException {
return super.clone();
}
}
and wherever you want to get another object, simple perform cloning. e.g:
Deletable del = new Deletable();
Deletable delTemp = (Deletable ) del.clone(); // this line will return you an independent
// object, the changes made to this object will
// not be reflected to other object
Solution 5 - Java
Why is there no answer for using Reflection API?
private static Object cloneObject(Object obj){
try{
Object clone = obj.getClass().newInstance();
for (Field field : obj.getClass().getDeclaredFields()) {
field.setAccessible(true);
field.set(clone, field.get(obj));
}
return clone;
}catch(Exception e){
return null;
}
}
It's really simple.
EDIT: Include child object via recursion
private static Object cloneObject(Object obj){
try{
Object clone = obj.getClass().newInstance();
for (Field field : obj.getClass().getDeclaredFields()) {
field.setAccessible(true);
if(field.get(obj) == null || Modifier.isFinal(field.getModifiers())){
continue;
}
if(field.getType().isPrimitive() || field.getType().equals(String.class)
|| field.getType().getSuperclass().equals(Number.class)
|| field.getType().equals(Boolean.class)){
field.set(clone, field.get(obj));
}else{
Object childObj = field.get(obj);
if(childObj == obj){
field.set(clone, clone);
}else{
field.set(clone, cloneObject(field.get(obj)));
}
}
}
return clone;
}catch(Exception e){
return null;
}
}
Solution 6 - Java
I use Google's JSON library to serialize it then create a new instance of the serialized object. It does deep copy with a few restrictions:
-
there can't be any recursive references
-
it won't copy arrays of disparate types
-
arrays and lists should be typed or it won't find the class to instantiate
-
you may need to encapsulate strings in a class you declare yourself
I also use this class to save user preferences, windows and whatnot to be reloaded at runtime. It is very easy to use and effective.
import com.google.gson.*;
public class SerialUtils {
//___________________________________________________________________________________
public static String serializeObject(Object o) {
Gson gson = new Gson();
String serializedObject = gson.toJson(o);
return serializedObject;
}
//___________________________________________________________________________________
public static Object unserializeObject(String s, Object o){
Gson gson = new Gson();
Object object = gson.fromJson(s, o.getClass());
return object;
}
//___________________________________________________________________________________
public static Object cloneObject(Object o){
String s = serializeObject(o);
Object object = unserializeObject(s,o);
return object;
}
}
Solution 7 - Java
Yes, you are just making a reference to the object. You can clone the object if it implements Cloneable
.
Check out this wiki article about copying objects.
Solution 8 - Java
Add Cloneable
and below code to your class
public Object clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException {
return super.clone();
}
Use this clonedObject = (YourClass) yourClassObject.clone();
Solution 9 - Java
Deep Cloning is your answer, which requires implementing the Cloneable
interface and overriding the clone()
method.
public class DummyBean implements Cloneable {
private String dummy;
public void setDummy(String dummy) {
this.dummy = dummy;
}
public String getDummy() {
return dummy;
}
@Override
public Object clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException {
DummyBean cloned = (DummyBean)super.clone();
cloned.setDummy(cloned.getDummy());
// the above is applicable in case of primitive member types like String
// however, in case of non primitive types
// cloned.setNonPrimitiveType(cloned.getNonPrimitiveType().clone());
return cloned;
}
}
You will call it like this
DummyBean dumtwo = dum.clone();
Solution 10 - Java
This works too. Assuming model
class UserAccount{
public int id;
public String name;
}
First add
compile 'com.google.code.gson:gson:2.8.1'
to your app>gradle & sync. Then
Gson gson = new Gson();
updateUser = gson.fromJson(gson.toJson(mUser),UserAccount.class);
You can exclude using a field by using transient
keyword after access modifier.
Note: This is bad practice. Also don't recommend to use Cloneable
or JavaSerialization
It's slow and broken. Write copy constructor for best performance ref.
Something like
class UserAccount{
public int id;
public String name;
//empty constructor
public UserAccount(){}
//parameterize constructor
public UserAccount(int id, String name) {
this.id = id;
this.name = name;
}
//copy constructor
public UserAccount(UserAccount in){
this(in.id,in.name);
}
}
Test stats of 90000 iteration:
Line UserAccount clone = gson.fromJson(gson.toJson(aO), UserAccount.class);
takes 808ms
Line UserAccount clone = new UserAccount(aO);
takes less than 1ms
Conclusion: Use gson if your boss is crazy and you prefer speed. Use second copy constructor if you prefer quality.
You can also use copy constructor code generator plugin in Android Studio.
Solution 11 - Java
Here's a decent explanation of clone()
if you end up needing it...
Solution 12 - Java
Use a deep cloning utility:
SomeObjectType copy = new Cloner().deepClone(someObject);
This will deep copy any java object, check it out at https://github.com/kostaskougios/cloning
Solution 13 - Java
Yes. You need to Deep Copy your object.
Solution 14 - Java
To do that you have to clone the object in some way. Although Java has a cloning mechanism, don't use it if you don't have to. Create a copy method that does the copy work for you, and then do:
dumtwo = dum.copy();
Here is some more advice on different techniques for accomplishing a copy.
Solution 15 - Java
Pass the object that you want to copy and get the object you want:
private Object copyObject(Object objSource) {
try {
ByteArrayOutputStream bos = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
ObjectOutputStream oos = new ObjectOutputStream(bos);
oos.writeObject(objSource);
oos.flush();
oos.close();
bos.close();
byte[] byteData = bos.toByteArray();
ByteArrayInputStream bais = new ByteArrayInputStream(byteData);
try {
objDest = new ObjectInputStream(bais).readObject();
} catch (ClassNotFoundException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
} catch (IOException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
return objDest;
}
Now parse the objDest
to desired object.
Happy Coding!
Solution 16 - Java
Alternative to egaga's constructor method of copy. You probably already have a POJO, so just add another method copy()
which returns a copy of the initialized object.
class DummyBean {
private String dummyStr;
private int dummyInt;
public DummyBean(String dummyStr, int dummyInt) {
this.dummyStr = dummyStr;
this.dummyInt = dummyInt;
}
public DummyBean copy() {
return new DummyBean(dummyStr, dummyInt);
}
//... Getters & Setters
}
If you already have a DummyBean
and want a copy:
DummyBean bean1 = new DummyBean("peet", 2);
DummyBean bean2 = bean1.copy(); // <-- Create copy of bean1
System.out.println("bean1: " + bean1.getDummyStr() + " " + bean1.getDummyInt());
System.out.println("bean2: " + bean2.getDummyStr() + " " + bean2.getDummyInt());
//Change bean1
bean1.setDummyStr("koos");
bean1.setDummyInt(88);
System.out.println("bean1: " + bean1.getDummyStr() + " " + bean1.getDummyInt());
System.out.println("bean2: " + bean2.getDummyStr() + " " + bean2.getDummyInt());
> Output:
> bean1: peet 2 > bean2: peet 2
> bean1: koos 88 > bean2: peet 2
But both works well, it is ultimately up to you...
Solution 17 - Java
Other than explicitly copying, another approach is to make the object immutable (no set
or other mutator methods). In this way the question never arises. Immutability becomes more difficult with larger objects, but that other side of that is that it pushes you in the direction of splitting into coherent small objects and composites.
Solution 18 - Java
Use gson
for duplicating an object.
public static <T>T copyObject(Object object){
Gson gson = new Gson();
JsonObject jsonObject = gson.toJsonTree(object).getAsJsonObject();
return gson.fromJson(jsonObject,(Type) object.getClass());
}
Assume I have an object person
.So
Person copyPerson = copyObject(person);
Note: The performance is much slower.
Solution 19 - Java
class DB {
private String dummy;
public DB(DB one) {
this.dummy = one.dummy;
}
}
Solution 20 - Java
You can deep copy automatically with XStream, from http://x-stream.github.io/:
> XStream is a simple library to serialize objects to XML and back > again.
Add it to your project (if using maven)
<dependency>
<groupId>com.thoughtworks.xstream</groupId>
<artifactId>xstream</artifactId>
<version>1.3.1</version>
</dependency>
Then
DummyBean dum = new DummyBean();
dum.setDummy("foo");
DummyBean dumCopy = (DummyBean) XSTREAM.fromXML(XSTREAM.toXML(dum));
With this you have a copy without the need to implement any cloning interface.
Solution 21 - Java
public class MyClass implements Cloneable {
private boolean myField= false;
// and other fields or objects
public MyClass (){}
@Override
public MyClass clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException {
try
{
MyClass clonedMyClass = (MyClass)super.clone();
// if you have custom object, then you need create a new one in here
return clonedMyClass ;
} catch (CloneNotSupportedException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
return new MyClass();
}
}
}
and in your code:
MyClass myClass = new MyClass();
// do some work with this object
MyClass clonedMyClass = myClass.clone();
Solution 22 - Java
You can try to implement Cloneable
and use the clone()
method; however, if you use the clone method you should - by standard - ALWAYS override Object
's public Object clone()
method.
Solution 23 - Java
If you can add an annotation to the source file, an annotation processor or code generator like [this one][1] can be used.
import net.zerobuilder.BeanBuilder
@BeanBuilder
public class DummyBean {
// bean stuff
}
A class DummyBeanBuilders
will be generates, which has a static method dummyBeanUpdater
to create shallow copies, the same way as you would do it manually.
DummyBean bean = new DummyBean();
// Call some setters ...
// Now make a copy
DummyBean copy = DummyBeanBuilders.dummyBeanUpdater(bean).done();
[1]: https://github.com/h908714124/zerobuilder "zerobuilder"
Solution 24 - Java
Using Kotlin extension function
fun <T : Any?> T.duplicate(): T? {
var copyObject: T? = null
try {
val byteArrayOutputStream = ByteArrayOutputStream()
val objectOutputStream = ObjectOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream)
objectOutputStream.writeObject(this)
objectOutputStream.flush()
objectOutputStream.close()
byteArrayOutputStream.close()
val byteData = byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray()
val byteArrayInputStream = ByteArrayInputStream(byteData)
try {
copyObject = ObjectInputStream(byteArrayInputStream).readObject() as T
} catch (e: ClassNotFoundException) {
e.printStackTrace()
}
} catch (e: IOException) {
e.printStackTrace()
}
return copyObject
}
Use case
var object = Any()
var duplicateObject = object.duplicate()
Java
<T extends Object> T copyObject(T sourceObject) {
T copyObject = null;
try {
ByteArrayOutputStream byteArrayOutputStream = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
ObjectOutputStream objectOutputStream = new ObjectOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream);
objectOutputStream.writeObject(sourceObject);
objectOutputStream.flush();
objectOutputStream.close();
byteArrayOutputStream.close();
byte[] byteData = byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray();
ByteArrayInputStream byteArrayInputStream = new ByteArrayInputStream(byteData);
try {
copyObject = (T) new ObjectInputStream(byteArrayInputStream).readObject();
} catch (ClassNotFoundException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
} catch (IOException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
return copyObject;
}
Use case
Object object = new Object();
Object duplicateObject = copyObject(object);
==============================================
Kotlin Update
If you use data class then you will have copy method that copies the Kotlin data class. Cool thing is you could also pass some values to modify the object with new copy. I would recommend this way.
Example:
//class
data class TestModel(val title: String, var subtitle: String)
Use case
val testClass = TestModel("Test title", "Test subtitle")
val newInstance = testClass.copy(subtitle = "new subtitle for copy instance")