Final answer:
The statement is true; serializable and being serial are not the same. Serialization relates to data conversion and consistency in transaction processing, while being serial denotes consecutive, non-overlapping processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Being serializable is NOT the same as being serial. This statement is true. Serialization is the process of converting an object into a format that can be easily stored or transmitted, and subsequently reconstructed. In the context of databases and programming, serializability refers to a concept in transaction processing that ensures concurrency without violating the consistency of the data. It implies that a schedule (sequence of operations) of several transactions should result in the same effect as if those transactions were executed serially, one after the other.
However, 'serial' typically means that operations or processes occur one after the other without overlapping in time. Therefore, while a serializable system guarantees that the end result of transactions will be as if they were processed serially, it does not necessarily mean that the transactions actually occur one at a time, as they can be interleaved in a concurrent manner.