What YAML Meaning, Applications & Example
Human-readable data serialization format for AI configurations.
What is YAML?
YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization format used for representing structured data. It is commonly used for configuration files and data exchange between languages with different data structures. YAML is simpler and more readable compared to formats like JSON or XML, and it uses indentation to represent nested structures.
Key Features of YAML
- Human-readable: The syntax is clean and easy to understand, making it ideal for configuration files.
- Hierarchical Structure: Data is represented in a nested format using indentation.
- Supports Complex Data Types: YAML can represent lists, dictionaries, and scalar values.
Applications of YAML
- Configuration Files: Commonly used in software applications, such as Kubernetes, Docker Compose, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Data Serialization: Used to store and transmit data, especially in APIs and data pipelines.
- Automation: YAML is used in tools like Ansible for automation and orchestration.
Example of YAML
name: "John Doe"
age: 30
address:
street: "123 Main St"
city: "Anytown"
zip: "12345"
hobbies:
- "Reading"
- "Traveling"
- "Coding"
In this example, a person’s information is represented using YAML. Notice how indentation is used to represent the nested structure, such as the address field containing multiple subfields.