iCalendar
iCalendar (also known as iCal) is a standard file format (RFC 5545) used for exchanging calendar and scheduling information between applications and systems. It allows users to share events, appointments, and tasks across different calendar platforms, such as Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Microsoft Outlook. The format uses plain text files with the .ics extension to represent calendar data in a structured way.
Developers should learn iCalendar when building applications that involve scheduling, event management, or calendar integration, such as booking systems, meeting planners, or productivity tools. It is essential for ensuring interoperability between different calendar services and enabling features like event sharing, reminders, and synchronization across devices. Use cases include generating calendar invites, parsing external calendar feeds, or automating event creation in business applications.