HxBit vs haxe.Serializer: which is better for my Haxe game?

HxBit is faster and ideal for networked games due to binary serialization and sync features, while haxe.Serializer is more flexible for arbitrary data and human-readable output. Choose HxBit for performance, haxe.Serializer for simplicity.

How to serialize custom types with HxBit?

Implement the customSerialize and customUnserialize methods in your Serializable class, as shown in the Float32ArrayContainer example. Use ctx.addInt/getInt and similar methods to handle unsupported data formats.

Does HxBit support delta updates for arrays to save bandwidth?

No, currently proxy objects send the entire array or map content on any change, not incremental deltas. The README notes this might be improved in future updates, but for now, it's a limitation for large mutable structures.

Can I use HxBit for local save games with versioning?

Yes, use beginSave and endSave for versioned serialization, which stores schema data to handle added or removed fields. This ensures backward compatibility when loading old save files.

How do RPCs handle return values in HxBit?

In RPC modes like server or clients, return values are supported via asynchronous callbacks. For example, @:rpc(server) functions can return a Bool, and the caller uses a callback to capture the result.

What's the performance impact of HxBit's change filtering?

Filtering with @:increment or @:condSend reduces network traffic by only sending updates when conditions are met, improving latency. However, it adds runtime checks and complexity to property management.

Is HxBit good for real-time collaborative tools?

Yes, its fast serialization and object state replication make it suitable, but developers must implement NetworkHost and handle synchronization manually, which can be complex for large-scale apps.

HxBit — Haxe Binary Serialization Library

What is HxBit?

HxBit is a Haxe library for binary serialization and network synchronization, designed to efficiently serialize object graphs and replicate state across networked clients and servers. It solves the need for fast, type-safe data exchange in applications like multiplayer games or distributed systems, offering features like versioning and remote procedure calls.

Target Audience

Haxe developers building networked applications, such as multiplayer games, real-time collaborative tools, or any system requiring efficient object state synchronization over a network.

Value Proposition

Developers choose HxBit for its macro-generated serialization code that outperforms Haxe's standard runtime serialization, combined with built-in networking features like automatic change tracking and RPCs, reducing boilerplate and ensuring robust state management.

Haxe Binary serialization and network synchronization library

Use Cases

Best For

Building multiplayer games with synchronized object states
Creating networked applications requiring fast binary serialization
Implementing remote procedure calls (RPC) in Haxe projects
Handling schema evolution with versioned data formats
Synchronizing complex data structures across clients and servers
Developing real-time collaborative tools with Haxe

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring human-readable serialization formats like JSON for debugging or interoperability
Applications with only basic data persistence needs where Haxe's built-in haxe.Serializer suffices
Teams that avoid macro-based code generation due to build complexity or tooling issues
Real-time systems where incremental updates for mutable structures (e.g., arrays) are critical to minimize bandwidth

Pros & Cons

Pros

Fast Binary Serialization

Uses compile-time macros to generate strictly typed code, outperforming Haxe's runtime serialization for speed, as noted in the comparison with haxe.Serializer.

Integrated Network Synchronization

Provides automatic change tracking and delta updates for object states, enabling efficient multiplayer or collaborative apps without manual sync code, via enableReplication and host.sync().

Robust Versioning Support

Handles schema evolution by detecting added or removed fields during unserialization, ensuring backward compatibility with saved data or network states using beginSave/endSave.

Flexible RPC System

Supports annotated remote procedure calls with modes like all, server, and owner, including return values and asynchronous callbacks, simplifying networked logic.

Cons

Increased Code Size

Macro-generated serialization code adds to the final binary size, which can be a drawback for projects with strict memory or download constraints, as mentioned in the comparison section.

Proxy Inefficiency

Changes to mutable structures like arrays or maps trigger sending of the entire content over the network, not incremental updates, potentially wasting bandwidth in data-heavy apps.

Setup Complexity

Networking requires implementing a custom NetworkHost (e.g., SocketHost for Heaps) and managing object lifecycles, adding initial development overhead compared to drop-in solutions.

Limited Type Support

Unsupported types require custom implementation via customSerialize and customUnserialize methods, adding boilerplate and potential for errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HxBit?

Target Audience

Haxe developers building networked applications, such as multiplayer games, real-time collaborative tools, or any system requiring efficient object state synchronization over a network.

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Building multiplayer games with synchronized object states
Creating networked applications requiring fast binary serialization
Implementing remote procedure calls (RPC) in Haxe projects
Handling schema evolution with versioned data formats
Synchronizing complex data structures across clients and servers
Developing real-time collaborative tools with Haxe

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring human-readable serialization formats like JSON for debugging or interoperability
Applications with only basic data persistence needs where Haxe's built-in haxe.Serializer suffices
Teams that avoid macro-based code generation due to build complexity or tooling issues
Real-time systems where incremental updates for mutable structures (e.g., arrays) are critical to minimize bandwidth

Pros & Cons

Pros

Fast Binary Serialization

Uses compile-time macros to generate strictly typed code, outperforming Haxe's runtime serialization for speed, as noted in the comparison with haxe.Serializer.

Integrated Network Synchronization

Provides automatic change tracking and delta updates for object states, enabling efficient multiplayer or collaborative apps without manual sync code, via enableReplication and host.sync().

Robust Versioning Support

Handles schema evolution by detecting added or removed fields during unserialization, ensuring backward compatibility with saved data or network states using beginSave/endSave.

Flexible RPC System

Supports annotated remote procedure calls with modes like all, server, and owner, including return values and asynchronous callbacks, simplifying networked logic.

Cons

Increased Code Size

Macro-generated serialization code adds to the final binary size, which can be a drawback for projects with strict memory or download constraints, as mentioned in the comparison section.

Proxy Inefficiency

Changes to mutable structures like arrays or maps trigger sending of the entire content over the network, not incremental updates, potentially wasting bandwidth in data-heavy apps.

Setup Complexity

Networking requires implementing a custom NetworkHost (e.g., SocketHost for Heaps) and managing object lifecycles, adding initial development overhead compared to drop-in solutions.

Limited Type Support

Unsupported types require custom implementation via customSerialize and customUnserialize methods, adding boilerplate and potential for errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

HxBit

What is HxBit?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

HxBit

What is HxBit?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?