The process of gathering data and transforming it into a standard format before it is transmitted over a
network so that the data can transcend network boundaries. In order for an
object to be moved around a network, it must be converted into a data stream that corresponds with the
packet structure of the network transfer
protocol. This conversion is known as
data marshalling. Data pieces are collected in a message
buffer before they are marshaled. When the data is transmitted, the receiving computer converts the marshaled data back into an object.
Data marshalling is required when passing the output parameters of a program written in one language as input to a program written in another language.