serializers

Serializers are software components that translate in-memory data structures or objects into a format suitable for storage or transmission, and conversely reconstruct objects from that format during deserialization. The process enables persistence, communication between processes, and data interchange across different systems and runtimes.

Serialization formats vary; text-based formats include JSON, XML, and YAML, while binary formats include Protocol Buffers, Avro, Thrift, and MessagePack. Some formats are self-describing via schemas; others are schema-less. Streaming serializers can handle large or infinite data sequences, while non-streaming serializers require the full object graph upfront.

In programming languages, serializers are often provided as libraries or APIs. Java has built-in and external serialization mechanisms; Python offers pickle, json, and libraries like marshmallow; frameworks such as Django REST Framework expose serializer objects to map models to representations suitable for APIs.

Key concerns include compatibility across versions (schema evolution), data size and performance, and security. Deserialization can be a source of vulnerabilities if untrusted input is accepted; safe parsers, strict schemas, and validation are recommended. Designing serializers often involves choosing a format appropriate to the use case, balancing readability, speed, and interoperability.

Common use cases include RESTful web APIs, message passing in microservices, data caching, and persistent storage. An example is converting a user object to a JSON representation like {"id": 123, "name": "Alice"} for transmission or storage.