YAML
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization language commonly used for configuration files and data exchange between languages with native data structures. It uses indentation to denote structure and supports scalars, sequences, and mappings, making it intuitive for writing configuration. It is widely adopted in DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and application settings due to its simplicity and readability.
Developers should learn YAML when working with configuration files for tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible, or CI/CD pipelines, as it is the standard format for defining infrastructure-as-code and application settings. It is particularly useful in scenarios requiring clear, hierarchical data representation without the verbosity of XML or JSON, such as in cloud deployments and automation scripts. Mastery of YAML enhances efficiency in managing complex configurations and integrating with modern development ecosystems.