CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple text-based file format used to store tabular data. Each line represents a row, and values are separated by commas or another delimiter such as a semicolon or tab. Because CSV files are human-readable and easy to generate, they are widely used for data export, import, and integration between systems. Many tools—including spreadsheets, databases, and programming languages—support reading and writing CSV files.
Why it matters
CSV files provide a lightweight way to exchange structured data without requiring complex formats like JSON or XML. They are ideal for reporting, analytics pipelines, and batch operations. Developers frequently interact with CSV files during data processing or debugging.
Examples
Exporting user data from a database or reading a dataset in Python for analysis both involve CSV files. Lessons such as Reading CSV Files demonstrate practical usage.