Serialization

Noun · Development

Definitions

  1. The process of converting an in-memory data structure or object graph into a linear byte or text format (JSON, Protobuf, MessagePack, etc.) so it can be stored on disk, transmitted over a network, or passed between processes — with deserialization being the reverse.

    In plain English: Converting data in a program's memory into a format that can be saved to a file or sent over the internet, and later converted back.

    Example: "Switching from JSON serialization to Protobuf cut our payload size by 60% and shaved 40ms off the API round trip."

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