YAML vs. JSON: Which to use?
Both YAML and JSON are data serialization formats used to store and transmit data. While they are conceptually similar, they serve different primary purposes in the modern tech stack.
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language)
YAML is designed to be human-readable. It is strictly whitespace-sensitive (indentation matters).
Use Cases: DevOps
- Kubernetes Manifests: Defining pods, services, and deployments.
- Docker Compose: Defining multi-container applications.
- CI/CD Configs: GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, CircleCI workflows.
*Best Feature:* YAML supports comments (lines starting with `#`), which allows developers to document configuration files.
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
JSON is a strict subset of JavaScript syntax. It uses curly braces `` and quotes `""` for keys. It does not support comments.
Use Cases: Web APIs
- REST APIs: Standard format for sending data between client and server.
- NoSQL Databases: MongoDB documents are stored as BSON (Binary JSON).
- Config Files: `package.json`, `tsconfig.json`.
*Best Feature:* JSON is safer and faster for machines to parse than YAML because of its strict syntax rules.