Debugging Java Beans

I have no idea why I didn’t realize this earlier. It would have saved me a ton of time.

When debugging a hard to reach Java code that relies on a Bean, I realized it’s possible to serialize the Bean and work on it from an isolated environment or unit test. Behold.

Run the following code on the bean you intend to debug.

FileOutputStream fos = context.openFileOutput(fileName, Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
ObjectOutputStream os = new ObjectOutputStream(fos);
// this is the bean you're in
os.writeObject(this); 
os.close();
fos.close();

Then open up a unit test and load your bean for super quick debugging and development.

FileInputStream fis = context.openFileInput(fileName);
ObjectInputStream is = new ObjectInputStream(fis);
// default serialization requires identical jar
SimpleClass simpleClass = (SimpleClass) is.readObject(); 
is.close();
fis.close();

You’re welcome for the hours of agony I just saved you from having to experience.