CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple format for storing tabular data in plain text. Each row is a data record, and columns are separated by commas (or other delimiters).
Technical Details
CSV files represent data in a flat table structure. The first row typically contains column headers, and each subsequent row contains values. Fields containing commas, newlines, or quotes may be enclosed in double quotes.
Advantages
- Simple format that's easy to create and parse
- Universal support across spreadsheet applications
- Efficient storage for tabular data
- Human-readable and editable in text editors
Limitations
- No support for nested data structures
- No standardized way to represent data types
- Special characters may require escaping
- No built-in support for formulas or calculations