title: High performance serialization: Java vs Google Protocol Buffers vs ...?
body: <p>For some caching I'm thinking of doing for an upcoming project, I've been thinking about Java serialization.  Namely, should it be used?</p>
  
  <p>Now I've previously written custom serialization and deserialization (Externalizable) for various reasons in years past.  These days interoperability has become even more of an issue and I can foresee a need to interact with .Net applications so I've thought of using a platform-independant solution.</p>
  
  <p>Has anyone had any experience with high-performance use of GPB?  How does it compare in terms of speed and efficiency with Java's native serialization?  Alternatively, are there any other schemes worth considering?</p>