Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About YAML

Intermediate

❓ YAML FAQ

Q: Is YAML a strict format?

🅰️ No, YAML is flexible but requires consistent indentation and correct syntax.


Q: Can YAML files include comments?

🅰️ Yes, comments are preceded by # and are ignored by parsers.


Q: How does YAML handle multiple documents?

🅰️ YAML supports multiple documents in a single file, separated by ---.


Q: Is YAML portable across programming languages?

🅰️ Yes, most languages offer libraries to parse and generate YAML.


Q: What's the difference between YAML and JSON?

🅰️ YAML is more human-friendly, supports comments and advanced features like anchors.
JSON is stricter but more widely supported.


Q: How do I validate my YAML files?

🅰️ Use tools like yamllint or IDE plugins to catch syntax errors early.


Q: Can YAML encode binary data?

🅰️ Not directly. Binary data should be encoded (e.g., base64) within YAML.


📘 Understanding these FAQs helps avoid common pitfalls and promotes effective YAML usage in projects.