What is object serialization?

Object serialization is the process of converting an object into a format that can be easily stored or transmitted. This is crucial in various programming environments, particularly in scenarios such as saving the state of an object to a file, sending data over a network, or storing complex data structures in a database. The serialized format can be binary or text-based (like JSON or XML), which allows the object to be recreated later in the same or a different environment.

Serialization enables effective data interchange between different components of a system, allowing different programming languages and platforms to communicate effectively. The ability to reconstruct the object from the serialized format also leverages the concept of persistent storage, making it possible to store and retrieve runtime objects.

In comparison, other definitions do not accurately reflect the concept of serialization. For instance, converting a file into an executable format pertains to compiling or linking rather than serialization. Encoding data for compression relates to minimizing the size of data but does not imply converting an object for storage or transmission. Additionally, converting a program from one language to another involves language translation rather than dealing with data representation and storage. Thus, the definition aligned with option C encapsulates the core purpose and functionality of object serialization effectively.