def serialize_base
      serialized = {}

      # set basic info
      serialized[:id] = id
      serialized[:title] = title
      serialized[:meta_language] = meta_language
      serialized[:meta_permalink] = meta_permalink

      # return serialized category
      serialized
    end
def serialize_base
      serialized = {}

      # set basic info
      serialized[:id] = id
      serialized[:title] = title
      serialized[:meta_language] = meta_language
      serialized[:meta_permalink] = meta_permalink

      # return serialized category
      serialized
    end
This function serializes a basic version of the category.