title: Save Game data - Java
body: <p>I've created a rudimentary game with a few objects. I'd like to give the user of the program the ability to save and load the state of the program. </p>
  
  <p>I've researched multiple articles and read through a lot of overstack posts. I was surprised by the amount of methods, and the complexity of each of those methods. </p>
  
  <p>Most methods require that I create the framework or skeleton of all objects that I want to save, and then load them line by line, calling each object manually, and then casting it back into its data type and class. </p>
  
  <p>Yes, I'm new to programming. But I'm not asking for a handout. I'm asking for a concise explanation.</p>
  
  <p>I read the below article, as I explored the idea of outputting to an XML file.</p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.mkyong.com/java/how-to-create-xml-file-in-java-dom/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mkyong.com/java/how-to-create-xml-file-in-java-dom/</a></p>
  
  <p>As I stated, I'm new to programming. Should I be learning XML in tandem with Java?</p>
  
  <p>My question is the following:</p>
  
  <p>A) Doesn't my IDE, upon successful compilation, know how many objects I have, their data type, and what class they belong to? </p>
  
  <p>B) Is there a way to save ALL objects without specifying them individually. </p>
  
  <p>c) Have I overdramitized the complexity of saving a simple program? </p>