MessagePack
MessagePack is a binary serialization format that enables efficient data exchange between applications, similar to JSON but more compact and faster. It serializes data structures like arrays and maps into a byte array, making it ideal for network communication and storage where performance and size matter. It supports multiple programming languages through official and community libraries.
Developers should use MessagePack when they need to reduce data size and improve serialization/deserialization speed compared to text-based formats like JSON, especially in high-performance systems, IoT devices, or distributed applications. It's particularly useful for scenarios involving frequent data transmission over networks, such as in microservices, gaming, or real-time analytics, where bandwidth and latency are critical.