What process is used to write database rows of Sitecore to files on disk?

The process used to write database rows of Sitecore to files on disk is known as serialization. In Sitecore, serialization involves converting the data stored in the Sitecore database—such as item definitions, media files, and templates—into a format that can be saved as files on the filesystem. This allows developers to manage Sitecore items in a more version-controlled and manageable way, as these serialized files can be included in source control, enabling easier collaboration and deployment processes.

Serialization is particularly important in Sitecore for working with items because it ensures that changes made in the content management interface can be reflected in the codebase, facilitating the deployment of content updates and template changes across different environments (e.g., from development to production). By serializing data, Sitecore helps ensure consistency between what is in the database and what is represented in the filesystem.

Normalization, on the other hand, refers to structuring a database to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity but does not apply to the process of converting data into files. Indexing is related to creating search indexes for quick data retrieval, and aggregation involves collecting and summarizing data, neither of which pertain to converting database entries into files.