System and method for storing a document in a serial binary format

A computer-readable medium having a data structure for storing document data in a serialized binary format so that the document data is accessible to other applications. A document structure is generated that includes root node data. The document is stored in a serial binary data format. The serial binary format includes storing size data associated with the document structure in a first data field. The serial binary format also includes storing document structure descriptor data in a second data field, wherein the document structure descriptor data includes at least one flag for indicating data expectancy. The serial binary format further includes storing root node data in a third data filed, wherein the root node data is indicated by at least one of the flags.