Avro Schema
Avro Schema is a data serialization system and schema definition language used primarily in Apache Avro, a data serialization framework. It defines the structure of data in a JSON-based format, enabling efficient binary serialization and deserialization for big data applications, such as in Apache Hadoop and Apache Kafka. The schema is self-describing, allowing data to be read without code generation, and supports schema evolution for backward and forward compatibility.
Developers should learn Avro Schema when working with big data ecosystems, especially for data serialization in distributed systems like Apache Kafka for message streaming or Apache Hadoop for data storage. It is crucial for ensuring data consistency, performance optimization through compact binary formats, and handling schema changes over time without breaking existing applications. Use cases include real-time data pipelines, log aggregation, and inter-service communication in microservices architectures.