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JSON, XML, YAML, and TOML are known as data serialization formats. They are used to structure, store, and exchange data between systems or components. These formats allow data to be saved in a consistent, machine-readable form that can also be parsed and understood by humans to some extent. Each has unique characteristics: JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is widely used in web APIs and JavaScript applications; XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is common in configurations, document storage, and enterprise software; YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is favored for its readability and is often used in configuration files; and TOML (Tom's Obvious, Minimal Language) is designed for easy readability and is frequently used in project configurations.

When data is structured or saved using these formats, it’s referred to as serialized objects or simply serialized data. Serialization is the process of converting complex data structures, like objects in code, into a format that can be easily stored, transferred, and then deserialized (or reconstructed) back into the original format when needed. Serialized objects in JSON, XML, YAML, or TOML allow systems to communicate by sharing data in an interpretable and standardized way.