Backwards compatibility

[gilhod]

Does the serialization/de-serialization are backwards compatibility between 2.8 and 2.13 versions?
Meaning, can I let one program serialize data with 2.8 version, and other program deserialize with 2.13 version (or vise versa) without worries?

[pjfanning]

Usually yes - but there is no 100% guarantee. You need to test for yourself.

[cowtowncoder]

In general that should be safe, but in practice there are always edge cases: new versions, for example, add explicit (de)serializers for JDK types that were formerly not supported. It is quite literally impossible to keep everything the same while also fixing reported issues and adding new features.

So, what @pjfanning said.