XML
Choosing Parquet After You Parse XML for Fast Analysis
A 132 MB XML file became 12.1 MB of Parquet. A grouped query ran in 19 ms against seconds of reparsing. How to write it, and when CSV or a database wins.
6 min read
Tag
comparison
58 posts
JSON
JSON Lines Versus CSV for Event Data and Log Exports
JSON Lines or CSV for event exports? Measured file size, compressed size and read time on 200,000 events, plus nesting, sparse fields and null handling.
6 min read
YAMLGuide
Choosing YAML TOML JSON or INI for Config Without Regret
Pick a config format by who edits it and what reads it. One config tested in YAML, TOML, JSON, INI and more: types, traps, errors, size and switching cost.
17 min read
XML
XML Versus CSV for Exchanging Tabular Data Between Systems
A partner asks for XML for a flat table. Measured on 100,000 rows, XML was 2.7 times the CSV size, though gzip nearly erased the gap. When each is right.
6 min read
XML
XML Versus JSON Versus YAML for Configuration Files
One small config written three ways: size, comments, types and the YAML country code that parses as False. A decision guide for choosing between them.
5 min read
XMLGuide
Choosing XML Over the Alternatives or Not for a New Project
A decision guide for XML versus JSON, YAML, CSV and Protocol Buffers, with measured sizes and parse times, six scenarios and a migration path.
16 min read
JSON
Choosing Between a JSON Column and a Document Database
When a JSON column in PostgreSQL, MySQL or SQLite is enough, and when a document database such as MongoDB earns its place, with measured numbers.
8 min read
CSV
Removing Duplicate Rows From a CSV and Choosing the Keeper
Deduplicating a CSV is easy; deciding which duplicate to keep is not. Compare first, last, latest-signup and highest-balance keepers on 200,000 rows.
9 min read
Excel
Macros and Why Data Teams Should Block Them by Default
Compare xlsx, xlsm, xls and xlsb for data work, and set a policy that blocks macros by default while allowing reviewed exceptions with a real owner.
7 min read
XML
Choosing XML Element Names and Casing That Hold Up
XML names are case sensitive and follow strict character rules. Compare camelCase, snake_case and kebab-case for elements, with the rules that decide.
5 min read
PostgreSQL
Nested Loop Hash Join and Merge Join Compared in Plans
Nested loop, hash join and merge join compared in PostgreSQL: how each works, cost shape, memory and batches, plan clues and fixes when the choice is wrong.
7 min read
JSONGuide
JSON in SQL Server Oracle Snowflake and BigQuery Compared
How SQL Server, Oracle, Snowflake and BigQuery store, read, unpack, build and index JSON, side by side, with the null, type and size traps in each.
19 min read