CSV

lightbulb

CSV

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain text file format that stores tabular data in a simple, row-oriented structure, where each row is separated by a newline and each field is separated by a comma.

What does CSV mean?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a delimited text File Format that stores tabular Data in a plain text format. Each Record in a CSV file occupies a separate line, and the fields within each record are separated by a predefined delimiter (usually a comma).

CSV files are straightforward, human-readable, and widely supported by various software applications and programming languages. They have a simple structure that makes them easy to parse and process. Additionally, CSV files are compact and lightweight, making them suitable for sharing and storing large datasets.

Applications

CSV is a versatile format used in numerous applications, including:

  • Data exchange: CSV files provide a convenient way to exchange data between different systems, applications, and platforms.
  • Data analysis: CSV files can be easily imported into data analysis tools for statistical analysis, visualization, and modeling.
  • Data export: Data from databases, spreadsheets, and other sources can be exported to CSV files for further processing or sharing.
  • Web Scraping: CSV files can be used to store data extracted from websites through web scraping techniques.
  • Configuration management: CSV files can be used to define configuration settings for software applications or system settings.

History

The origins of CSV can be traced back to the early days of computing when data was often stored in plain text files. In the 1970s, a standardized format for representing data in text files emerged, known as the RFC 4327 format. This format specified the use of the comma as the field delimiter, and it became the de facto standard for CSV files.

CSV gained widespread adoption in the 1980s with the rise of personal computers and spreadsheet applications. Spreadsheets like Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft Excel supported the import and export of CSV files, making it a convenient format for data exchange between spreadsheets and other applications.

Over time, CSV has evolved to support additional features, such as specifying the field delimiter and allowing for quoted fields to accommodate special characters or embedded commas. Today, CSV remains a popular and widely used format for data exchange and processing in various technology domains.