What is serialization?

Question

Hi. Can someone tell me about serialization, a bit when to use it, why and how it's implemented. Thanks

Tanvir Huda · Answer

Serialization is the process of converting a state of an object into a form that can be persistent or readily transported. It means to save an object and its state, into a form so that it can be recreated later. It is done by the process know as deserialization. In serialization it does not convert the method of the object instead the properties. Needs of Serialization: Persistent Storage: In application development we need to store the data of an object to a storage device . So when required the data we can retrieve that and used. Object Cloning: Sometimes we need to clone a single object and save it in a backup disk. So, we can play with the original object. If anything goes wrong we can restore it from the backup . Object passing between application domains: When we need pass an object from one application domain to another we need to either derive it from MarshalByRedObject or marked it as Serializable . Ease of performing complex operation: If we need to perform any complex operation on an object like encryption or compression it will be lot easier if the object has been serialized . You may find these sites useful Http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnadvnet/html/vbnet09252001.asp http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dndotnet/html/objserializ.asp http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/msdnmag/issues/02/04/net/toc.asp http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/msdnmag/issues/02/07/net/toc.asp http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnexxml/html/xml01202003.asp

spgilmore · Answer

Serialization can mean something different, particularly as it pertains to threads. To "serialize" a block of code means that only one thread can execute it at a time. Locks and monitors are used to serialize a block of thread code. This may also pertain to ADO.NET connection objects such as SqlConnection, in that only one query or command can execute through the connection at a time, though several SqlCommands may designate the same connection object. So, the connection object is said to serialize database requests.

james · Answer

Have a look at this url http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/Language/serializingObjectsinCS.asp

What is serialization?

Answers (3)