serializes

Serialization is the process of converting an in-memory data structure or object into a format that can be stored on disk, transmitted over a network, or otherwise reconstituted later. The verb form serializes is used to describe performing this process, while deserialization is the reverse.

Common formats include text-based formats such as JSON, XML, YAML, and CBOR, and binary formats such as Protocol Buffers, Avro, MessagePack, and BSON. Text formats are human-readable but often larger; binary formats can be more compact and faster to parse but require schemas or tooling to interpret.

Serialization supports persistence, communication between processes or services, caching, and inter-process communication. It enables multi-language interoperability when a shared format is used. Some systems preserve object graphs and type information, enabling exact reconstruction, while others store only data values.

Design considerations include how to handle references and cycles, how to version schemas, and how to evolve data structures without breaking existing clients. Some formats are self-describing (XML, JSON with schemas) while others require predefined schemas (Protocol Buffers, Avro).

Security concerns arise with deserialization of untrusted data, which can lead to code execution, object injection, or data corruption. Practices include validating input, using immutable types, and choosing safe, well-maintained serializers.

In programming languages, many ecosystems provide serialization tools: for example, JSON libraries in most languages; Python’s pickle (with caveats); Java's Serializable interface; .NET serializers such as DataContractSerializer and BinaryFormatter (the latter now discouraged).