0.6.7 CSV Files

CSV Is a Simple Way to Store Structured Data

A CSV file stores tabular data as plain text.

CSV commonly stands for comma-separated values.

Instead of displaying data in spreadsheet cells, a CSV file represents rows and fields using text.

For example:

That makes CSV easy for many systems to create, exchange, and read.

The Header Gives Meaning to the Fields

The first line:

Without the header, the values would be much harder to interpret.

Field Order Matters

Consider:

For example:

The file acts as a structured handoff.

A CSV File Still Needs Good Data Structure

CSV does not automatically make data clean.

A file can still contain:

CSV provides a format.

The quality and usefulness of the data still depend on how the records and fields are organized.

The next Learning Activity gives those parts more precise names.