# Instances of this class can be passed to `Serializer::serialize`
interface Serializable
	# Serialize `self` to `serializer`
	#
	# This is a shortcut to `Serializer::serialize`.
	fun serialize_to(serializer: Serializer) do serializer.serialize(self)

	# Actual serialization of `self` to `serializer`
	#
	# This writes the full data of `self` to `serializer`.
	#
	# This method can be redefined in sub classes and refinements.
	# It should use `Serializer::serialize_attribute` to to register real or
	# logical attributes.
	#
	# Any refinement should have its equivalent refinement of
	# `Deserializer::deserialize_class` to support this custom deserialization.
	fun core_serialize_to(serializer: Serializer) do end

	# Accept references or force direct serialization (using `serialize_to`)
	#
	# The subclass change the default behavior, which will accept references,
	# to force to always serialize copies of `self`.
	private fun serialize_to_or_delay(v: Serializer) do v.serialize_reference(self)

	# Create an instance of this class from the `deserializer`
	#
	# This constructor is refined by subclasses to correctly build their instances.
	init from_deserializer(deserializer: Deserializer) is nosuper do end
end