YAML

YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization language designed for simplicity and clarity. It is often used for configuration files, data exchange between programming languages, and declarative system descriptions (e.g., Docker Compose, GitHub Actions, Kubernetes).

YAML was first proposed in 2001 by Clark Evans, together with Ingy döt Net and Oren Ben-Kiki. The goal was to create a format that combined the readability of plain text with the structure of JSON or XML, making it easy for humans to write and understand while remaining machine-parsable. The acronym originally meant *“Yet Another Markup Language”*, but was later reinterpreted humorously as *“YAML Ain’t Markup Language”*, to emphasize that YAML focuses on data, not documents or markup.

YAML is based on indentation and key-value pairs, allowing hierarchical (tree-like) data structures without the need for braces or brackets. It is often described as a human-friendly alternative to JSON and XML.

Example comparison:

{
  "student": {
    "name": "Anna",
    "age": 21,
    "courses": ["Programming", "Databases"]
  }
}

student:
  name: Anna
  age: 21
  courses:
    - Programming
    - Databases

• Indentation defines structure (use spaces, not tabs)
• Key-value pairs: `key: value`
• Lists: prefix `-`
• Nested structures: indent by two spaces
• Comments: start with `#`

Example:

server:
  host: localhost
  port: 8080
  enabled: true
  paths:
    - /login
    - /logout

YAML supports a range of basic and complex data types. Values can be written in implicit or explicit form — YAML automatically detects the type from context, but types can also be specified manually using tags (e.g., `!!str`, `!!int`).

Scalars are single values such as strings, numbers, or booleans.

Explicit typing (less common but useful for validation):

id: !!int "42"
flag: !!bool "yes"
pi: !!float "3.14159"
text: !!str 1234   # forced as string, not number

YAML offers flexible ways to define strings:

• Plain style: `title: Hello World`

• Single-quoted: `path: 'C:\Users\Name'`

(backslashes are preserved literally)

• Double-quoted: `message: “Line1\nLine2”`

(supports escape sequences like `\n`, `\t`)

• Multi-line literal (`|`): preserves line breaks

    description: |
      This is line one.
      This is line two.
 

• Folded block (`>`): joins lines into a single paragraph

    note: >
      This sentence
      continues on the next line.
 

YAML supports two structured types: sequences (lists) and mappings (dictionaries).

• Sequences: ordered lists of elements, marked with `-`

    colors:
      - red
      - green
      - blue
 

• Mappings: unordered key–value pairs

    person:
      name: Bob
      age: 30
      city: London
 

• Inline form: lists and dictionaries can also be written on one line

    colors: [red, green, blue]
    person: {name: Bob, age: 30}
 

Lists and mappings can be combined to represent complex hierarchical data:

students:
  - name: Anna
    grades: [A, B, A]
  - name: Mark
    grades:
      - B
      - C
      - A

YAML allows referencing the same data in multiple places using anchors (&) and aliases (*).

defaults: &base
  host: localhost
  port: 8080

development:
  <<: *base
  debug: true

This feature reduces duplication and keeps configuration files consistent.

• YAML automatically infers most types but supports explicit typing.
• Scalars, sequences, and mappings cover all standard data models.
• Multi-line and folded strings improve readability.
• Anchors and aliases allow reuse of data blocks.

Just like JSON Schema, YAML files can be validated using schema definitions. Common tools include Yamale, Kubeval, or the built-in schema support of IDEs such as Visual Studio Code.

• Docker Compose (`docker-compose.yml`)
• GitHub Actions (`.github/workflows/*.yml`)
• Kubernetes manifests (`deployment.yaml`)
• Python and Node.js configuration files

Example:

version: "3.8"
services:
  web:
    image: nginx:latest
    ports:
      - "8080:80"

Show the same configuration both in JSON and YAML, and ask:

• Which one is easier to read?
• What are the risks of using indentation as syntax?
• How does the structure represent a syntax tree?

• YAML is a readable, indentation-based language for structured data.
• It was created to bridge the gap between human readability and machine processing.
• It plays a central role in modern DevOps, configuration management, and data description languages.