Data serialization languages represent structured data in a format that can be easily stored, transmitted, and reconstructed later. These languages are essential because they convert data into a standard format that you may use across different languages and platforms.

XML, JSON, and YAML are the most popular data serialization languages used today. This article will introduce each of them and highlight how they differ.

A piece of paper with JSON written on it being held by at the tip of someone’s finger.

What Is XML?

XML (eXtensible Markup Language)is a language that specifies guidelines for encoding documents in a way that both humans and machines can understand. This markup language is similar to HTML but does not have built-in tags. Instead, it allows you to create custom tags that meet your demands. We call these self-defined tags.

This markup language is self-descriptive, making it flexible and popular for arranging and structuring data across the internet. Data shared using XML works on different platforms and suits various uses. This makes XML an essential tool for data networking, transfer, and storage in multiple fields.

How to Write XML

In XML, you use tags to wrap data, just as in HTML. There are two types of tags:

You may find it useful touse an online XML editor to write and format your documents. Such editors are widely accessible, support collaborative editing, and have built-in validation.

Here’s an example of an XML file. Thetags enclose data about one individual person, using nested tags to represent their name and age.

Advantages of XML

Here are some advantages of using XML:

What Is JSON?

JSON stands forJavaScript Object Notation. It is a lightweight format for storing and transferring data. Initially designed for JavaScript, JSON has gained popularity due to its simple structure. However, since then, many fields have adopted the language, making it one of the most popular ways of transferring data across the internet.

You can also use JSON files to share data between a web server and a web page, for configuration files, and in many other situations where organizing and transmitting data is necessary. Similar to a dictionary in Python, JSON data is composed of nested lists and dictionaries, making it a lot like a key-value pair data structure.

How to Write JSON

Here’s an example of a simple JSON data file:

JSON uses a syntax borrowed from JavaScript to represent basic data types like integers, strings, and booleans. It also supports arrays, using square brackets, and objects, using key-value pairs between curly braces.

Most programming languages have support for JSON. You canread and write JSON data with Node.js,do the same with Rust, andalso use JSON with Go.

Advantages of JSON

Here are a few advantages of JSON.

What Is YAML?

YAML( YAML Ain’t Markup Language ) is a markup language widely used in configuring files for DevOps tools, programs, and applications. It is known for its simplicity compared to XML and JSON. It uses indentation and newlines to separate data rather than symbols and brackets. you may also use this language with other languages. For example, you canwork with YAML files in Go.

It is not, however, very beginner-friendly. This can lead to validation errors, for example, if you fail to indent your data correctly.

How to Write YAML

Here is an example of a YAML file:

This YAML document contains a list of employees, each with the following attributes:

Advantages of YAML

YAML has a few advantages:

What Is Your Favorite Data Serialization Language?

YAML, XML, and JSON are all data interchange formats, each with strengths and various uses where they shine. Ultimately, the choice between these formats depends on the specific requirements of your project.

YAML excels in configuration and readability, XML offers extensibility and validation, while JSON is efficient and widely supported in modern web development. Understanding the strengths and characteristics of each format will help you select the most appropriate one for your particular use.