Data Format Comparison

Understand when to use different data formats. Compare their strengths, limitations, and ideal use cases.

JSON vs CSV

JSON

{
  "users": [
    {
      "name": "John",
      "age": 30,
      "roles": ["admin", "user"]
    }
  ]
}

CSV

name,age,roles
John,30,"admin,user"
Feature JSON CSV
Structure Hierarchical (nested) Flat (tabular)
Data Types String, Number, Boolean, Null, Array, Object All text (implicit types)
Readability Human-readable with proper formatting Very human-readable for simple data
File Size Larger (includes keys) Smaller (no repeated keys)
Best For APIs, Config files, Complex data Spreadsheets, Simple lists, Data export
Nesting Unlimited depth Not supported

Structured vs Unstructured Data

Structured Data

Data with a predefined schema. Each piece of data fits into a specific field.

  • Relational databases (SQL)
  • CSV files
  • JSON with consistent structure
  • Spreadsheets
Pros: Easy to query, analyze, and validate

Unstructured Data

Data without a predefined format. Free-form and flexible.

  • Plain text documents
  • Images and videos
  • Emails
  • Social media posts
Cons: Harder to search and analyze programmatically

Plain Text vs Binary Formats

Aspect Plain Text Binary
Examples JSON, CSV, XML, HTML Images, Videos, Executables, Protobuf
Readable Yes, in any text editor No, requires specific software
File Size Usually larger Usually smaller (more compact)
Debugging Easy to inspect and modify Difficult without tools
Version Control Works great with Git Difficult to diff/merge
Parse Speed Slower (text parsing) Faster (direct memory mapping)

Quick Decision Guide

Use JSON when:

  • Building web APIs
  • You have nested or hierarchical data
  • Data types matter (numbers, booleans)
  • Configuration files

Use CSV when:

  • Data is flat/tabular (like a spreadsheet)
  • Importing/exporting from Excel
  • Simple data exchange
  • File size is a concern

Use Binary when:

  • Performance is critical
  • Storing media (images, audio, video)
  • High-frequency data exchange
  • Storage space is limited