Full Form | Comma-Separated Values |
Definition | A plain text file format used to store tabular data, where each line represents a row of data, and individual values within each row are separated by commas |
Structure | Consists of rows and columns, with each row representing a record or data entry, and each column representing a field or attribute |
Delimiter | Uses commas as delimiters to separate individual values within each row, although other delimiters such as semicolons or tabs may also be used |
Compatibility | Widely supported by various software applications, programming languages, and database systems for data import, export, and exchange |
Usage | Commonly used for storing and exchanging structured data, such as spreadsheets, database exports, and data feeds |
Versatility | Can be easily opened, edited, and manipulated using text editors, spreadsheet software, or programming languages |
Human-Readable | CSV files are human-readable and easy to understand, making them accessible to users without specialized software |
Standardization | Follows a simple and flexible format, facilitating interoperability and data exchange between different systems and platforms |
Limitations | CSV files may have limitations in representing complex data structures, such as nested data or hierarchical relationships |
Encoding | Supports various character encodings, including ASCII, UTF-8, and UTF-16, allowing for internationalization and multilingual data |
Data Integrity | While CSV files are prone to data entry errors and inconsistencies, data validation and quality control measures can help maintain data integrity |
File Size | CSV files are typically lightweight and compact, making them efficient for storing and transferring large datasets |