A system and method for serialization and/or de-serialization of file
system item(s) and associated entity(ies)is provided. A file system
"item" comprises a core class which can include property(ies). Through
serialization, a consistent copy of the item and associated entity(ies),
such as fragment(s), link(s) with other item(s) and/or extension(s),if
any, can be captured. The serialization system includes an identification
component that identities entity(ies) associated with an item and a
serialization component that serializes the item and associated
entity(ies). The serialization component can further serialize a header
that includes information associated with the item and associated
entity(ies). The header can facilitate random access to the item and
associated entity(ies). The serialization system can expose application
program interface(s) (API's) that facilitate the copying, moving and/or
transfer of an item and its associated entity(ies) from one location to
another location.