# InventoryHelper > Utility class for serializing and deserializing inventory contents. `gg.lode.bookshelfapi.api.util.InventoryHelper` --- ## Signature ```java public class InventoryHelper ``` --- ## Static Methods | Method | Return Type | Description | |--------|-------------|-------------| | `serialize(ItemStack[] contents)` | `byte[]` | Serializes an array of ItemStacks into a byte array. | | `deserialize(byte[] data, Inventory inventory)` | `void` | Deserializes a byte array and populates the given inventory. | ### Parameters | Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | `contents` | `ItemStack[]` | The inventory contents to serialize. | | `data` | `byte[]` | The serialized byte data. | | `inventory` | `Inventory` | The inventory to populate with deserialized items. | --- ## Usage ```java // Save inventory byte[] data = InventoryHelper.serialize(player.getInventory().getContents()); // Store 'data' in a database or file // Restore inventory InventoryHelper.deserialize(data, player.getInventory()); ``` --- ## Related Pages - [[EntityHelper]]