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Protobuf, JSON, and XML: A Practical Comparison
Data serialization is at the heart of modern software development. Whether you’re building APIs, storing configuration files, or designing distributed systems, choosing the right serialization format is critical. The three most common formats — Protocol Buffers (Protobuf), JSON, and XML — each offer distinct advantages and trade-offs. In this article, we’ll compare them with practical examples to help you decide which to use.Comparison Table
Here’s a detailed comparison of Protobuf, JSON, and XML:
What is Protobuf?
Protocol Buffers (Protobuf) is a compact, binary serialization format developed by Google. It’s designed for high performance and requires defining a schema to serialize and deserialize data.
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based format. It is widely used due to its simplicity and human-readable syntax, making it the default for many web APIs.
What is XML?
XML (eXtensible Markup Language), an older text-based format, is known for its ability to define complex…
