A remote procedure call (RPC) is a protocol that allows a program to execute a procedure on a different computer as if it were a local call. This enables communication between different systems over a network, making it easier for applications to share data and functionality. RPC abstracts the complexities of the network, allowing developers to focus on the logic of their applications. When a program makes an RPC, it sends a request to the remote server, which processes the request and sends back the result. This process involves serialization of data, where the parameters are converted into a format suitable for transmission, and deserialization, where the data is converted back into usable form on the receiving end.