Manual Serialization
Manual serialization is the process of converting data structures or objects into a format suitable for storage or transmission, such as JSON, XML, or binary, by writing custom code to handle the conversion. It involves explicitly defining how each field or property is mapped and formatted, without relying on automated tools or libraries. This approach gives developers fine-grained control over the serialization output, allowing for optimization, custom formatting, and handling of complex or legacy data structures.
Developers should use manual serialization when they need precise control over the serialized output, such as for performance optimization, compatibility with specific protocols, or handling non-standard data formats. It is particularly useful in embedded systems, low-level programming, or when integrating with legacy systems where automated serialization libraries may not be available or suitable. However, it requires more development effort and is prone to errors compared to automated methods.