Xstream
Xstream is a Java library for serializing objects to XML and deserializing XML back to objects, providing a simple API for data binding. It allows developers to convert Java objects to XML without requiring mappings or annotations, making it lightweight and easy to use for XML processing tasks. It is commonly used in applications that need to handle XML data, such as configuration files, web services, or data interchange formats.
Developers should learn Xstream when working with Java applications that require XML serialization and deserialization, especially in scenarios like legacy system integration, SOAP web services, or storing configuration data in XML format. It is useful because it simplifies XML handling by automatically mapping Java objects to XML elements, reducing boilerplate code compared to manual parsing with DOM or SAX. However, for modern applications, JSON-based alternatives are often preferred due to better performance and widespread adoption.