What does it mean to serialize an object in programming?

To serialize an object in programming means to convert it into a format that can be easily stored or transmitted. This process is essential for various applications such as saving the state of an object to a file, sending an object over a network, or storing it in a database. During serialization, the object's data and structure are transformed into a standardized format, often JSON, XML, or binary. This allows for the object to be reconstructed later in its original form when deserialization occurs.

The ability to serialize objects is particularly important in distributed systems and web applications, where data needs to be systematically shared among different components or services. By ensuring that complex data types can be converted into a stream of bytes or a string that retains their essential information, serialization facilitates communication and storage of information without loss of fidelity.