Marshalling in computer science refers to the process of transforming the memory representation of an object into a data format suitable for storage or transmission. This is particularly crucial when data needs to be moved between different parts of a computer program or from one program to another, especially in distributed systems where objects need to be sent over a network[4][6][13][15].
The primary purpose of marshalling is to enable the transmission of composite objects, not just primitive data types, across different computing environments. This process involves converting the object's state into a format that can be easily sent over a network and then reconstructed on the receiving end. Marshalling is often used in remote procedure calls (RPC) and remote method invocation (RMI), where it is essential for passing objects and data between client and server applications[4][9].
Demarshalling
Demarshalling, or unmarshalling, is the reverse process of marshalling. It involves converting the marshalled data back into a memory representation that the receiving system can use. This process is critical for reconstructing the transmitted data into usable objects within the target environment[4][11].
Key Differences and Usage
While marshalling and demarshalling are closely related to serialization and deserialization, they are not entirely synonymous. Serialization generally refers to the process of converting an object into a stream of bytes, primarily for the purpose of storage or simple transmission. Marshalling, however, often includes additional steps and considerations, such as the inclusion of type or class information of the objects being transmitted, which supports the accurate reconstruction of the object's structure and behavior in a different computing environment[6][8].
In practical terms, marshalling might involve packaging the object data along with metadata about the object's type and the specific serialization format used. This metadata is crucial when the data reaches its destination, as it inform...
