CSV Parsing
CSV parsing is the process of reading and interpreting Comma-Separated Values (CSV) files, which are plain-text formats used to store tabular data with fields separated by delimiters like commas. It involves converting the raw text into structured data, such as arrays, dictionaries, or objects, that can be manipulated programmatically in applications. This is essential for data import/export, analysis, and integration tasks in software development.
Developers should learn CSV parsing when working with data-driven applications, such as data analytics tools, reporting systems, or ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines, as it enables handling common data exchange formats efficiently. It is particularly useful in scenarios like importing user data from spreadsheets, processing log files, or integrating with external APIs that output CSV, making it a fundamental skill for data processing and interoperability.