CSVs

Comma-separated value files

CSVs are comma-separated values files—a simple format for storing tabular data as plain text.

Each line represents a row, with values separated by commas: The database exported to CSV.

The format's simplicity makes CSVs readable by spreadsheets, databases, and programming languages alike.

I'll send you the data as a CSV.

format

delimiter

Boundary-marking character

ASCII · linebreaks · newline · parsing · serialization · syntax · structure

spreadsheet

Excel

Microsoft's data-crunching application

  • rowsSide-by-side sequences
  • columnsUpright structural shafts
  • cellsBasic biological units

workbook · worksheet · sort · filter · xlsx · Numbers

database

records

Stored data or albums

  • fieldsExpanses for cultivation
  • tablesFlat-topped furniture pieces
  • SQLDatabase manipulation language

query · schema · relational · MySQL · backup

data-exchange

import

Obtain from overseas

migrate · upload · download · ETL · integration · interchange · portability · compatibility

programming

parse

Examine syntax closely

  • readComprehend written language
  • writeForm text on surface
  • libraryBook collection or building

pandas · Python · script · API · split · tokenize · array · loop · validation · sanitize

Opposites
data format complexity

CSVsXML

Structured data markup language

JSON · YAML

human vs machine readability

CSVscompiled code

Translated programming instructions

executable files · machine code

data structure type

CSVsNoSQL

Schema-free database systems

Phrases
Family

CSV

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G