Formatting information for storage and transmission.
Data Serialization is the act of translating a complex hierarchy (or blob) of information into a format where it can be stored and transmitted efficiently. Data Serialization is all about having Standard Processes for data organizations. These make it possible for tools and techniques to build on existing standards and work with one another (see: Standardization Enables Creativity).
There are a number of Data Serialization Methods, JSON, CSV, XML, and HTML being some of the more common ones. Some common features used in data serialization include:
- Reserved characters - a set of characters that have special meaning and use in a given serialization framework
- Delimiters - what separates elements
- Comments - a method of “breaking out” exposition about the data from the data itself
- Escape characters - a method to allow the use of otherwise reserved characters
- Common example:
\
- Common example:
- Structure - data serialization methods follow some form of underlying structure