Protocol Buffers (Protobuf for short) is an efficient serialized data format developed by Google.
Protocol Buffers (Protobuf) is mainly used to efficiently serialize structured data. It has the following main purposes:
- Data Storage and Transfer
The binary data generated by Protobuf is much smaller than JSON or XML, storing and transferring data in an efficient way. Suitable for network communication, file storage, etc.
- version compatibility
Data defined by Protobuf remains backward compatible in subsequent releases. Therefore, version changes of services and data can be easily managed.
- language independent
Data defined by Protobuf can be read and written in a variety of languages (such as Python, Java, C++, etc.).
- Cross-platform
Data generated by Protobuf can be interoperated between different systems (Linux, Windows, Android, etc.).
- Serialization is efficient
Protobuf uses an efficient serialization algorithm, making it very efficient to serialize and deserialize data.
- clear definition
Use the .proto file to define the data structure, the syntax is simple and easy to read. It is convenient for humans and machines to exchange and understand data structure definitions.
- perfect tool
Protobuf provides comprehensive tools for compiling .proto files, validating formats, and more. Make development efficient.
- content negotiation
Data generated by Protobuf can be used for content negotiation between different versions of clients and servers.
- Model description
Protobuf is also commonly used to describe models, such as machine learning models, game objects, etc.
In general, Protocol Buffers is mainly used to efficiently serialize and deserialize structured data. It is mainly used in data storage, network transmission, service definition, model description, etc.
It has very efficient performance and a clearly defined approach. Therefore, it is adopted by more and more projects and frameworks, Apache Thrift and gRPC also adopt Protob