# 3. Add serialization/deserialization support * **Goal:** Ensure plans containing `CastColumnExpr` round-trip through protobuf for distributed execution. * **Scope & Location:** `datafusion/physical-plan` protobuf definitions and converters; round-trip tests under `datafusion/physical-plan` or related crates. * **Key Tasks:** * Extend protobuf schema with a message for `CastColumnExpr` carrying input/target field descriptors. * Update Rust proto builders to emit/consume the new message, mapping back to the expression type. * Add/extend round-trip tests to cover `CastColumnExpr` inside representative plans. * Document any compatibility considerations (e.g., versioning, defaults). * **Dependencies:** Requires `CastColumnExpr` definition (spec #17760). * **Out of Scope:** Planner rewrites or optimizer behavior.