CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple file format used to store tabular data in plain text. Each line of the file represents a data record, and each record consists of one or more fields, separated by commas. CSV files are widely used for data exchange between different applications and systems, particularly for spreadsheet data and database exports.
CSV is ideal for:
Data Import/Export: Transferring data between different applications and systems
Spreadsheet Data: Working with tabular data in spreadsheet applications
Database Exports: Exporting data from databases for backup or analysis
Data Analysis: Processing and analyzing tabular data in various tools
Simple: Easy to read and write, with minimal formatting
Universal: Supported by most applications and programming languages
Compact: Small file size compared to other formats
Human-Readable: Can be viewed and edited in any text editor
No Schema: No built-in data type or structure validation
Limited Data Types: All data is stored as text
No Hierarchy: Cannot represent complex nested data structures