YAML
Splitting a Large YAML Config Into Several Files Cleanly
YAML has no include. Two ways to split a config: numbered fragments merged in order, and a custom include tag on a safe loader. Both tested, with traps.
7 min read
Topic
YAML
Config files that look friendly until the indentation bites. Parsing it, linting it and avoiding its type surprises.
YAMLGuide
Structuring YAML Configuration Files That Last for Years
How to lay out YAML config so it stays correct: base and overlays, secret references, a schema, strict loading, key style, comments and a CI check, tested.
17 min read
YAMLGuide
Working With YAML From the Terminal Using yq and Friends
A tested command-line guide to YAML: query, edit, merge, convert, lint, validate and diff with yq, yamllint and check-jsonschema, plus the traps found.
20 min read
YAML
Why yaml load Is Dangerous and What to Use Instead
How a YAML tag makes PyYAML run code during load, a harmless demonstration, what changed in PyYAML 6 and the safe options for loading untrusted files.
6 min read
YAMLGuide
Reading and Writing YAML in Python Safely and Cleanly
A tested Python guide to YAML: safe loading, speed, strict keys, validation, clean output, round trips, merging, env substitution and a reference module.
20 min read
XML
Converting XML to YAML for Config Review and What It Breaks
Convert an XML config to YAML so a person can read and diff it, and learn why a YAML 1.1 loader turns the strings no and NO into false and 0755 into 493.
7 min read
YAML
Finding Tab Characters Hiding in a YAML File Quickly
Find tabs and non-breaking spaces in YAML with grep, cat -A and git grep, fix them with sed or expand, and keep them out with editor settings and a hook.
6 min read
YAML
YAML Duplicate Keys and the Silent Overwrite Problem
PyYAML keeps the last of a repeated key silently, ruamel.yaml raises and yamllint flags it. A strict loader in eight lines and how merges create duplicates.
6 min read
XMLGuide
Converting XML to JSON CSV YAML and Excel Without Data Loss
One XML file converted to JSON, CSV, YAML and Excel with one parse and four writers, what each target loses, and how to prove nothing went missing.
20 min read
YAML
Fixing Special Characters That Break YAML Values Safely
Colons, hashes, braces, backslashes and percent signs in YAML values: which break, which load silently wrong, tested outputs and the quoting rule.
6 min read
YAML
YAML Version Numbers Turning Into Floats and How to Stop It
Python 3.10 in a CI matrix loads as 3.1 in every parser. See the proof, why quoting is the fix and a script that finds suspect floats in a repository.
6 min read
YAML
Why a Number Turns Into Something Else in YAML Files
Leading zeros, hex, base 60 times and trailing zeros change what a number is. Real output for 0755, 12:30, 1.10 and 1e3, and how to protect values.
5 min read
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