Avro is a software framework that serves as a data serialization system. It provides a compact and efficient data format for the exchange of data between applications written in different programming languages. The term "Avro" also refers to the file format and its associated schema definition language.
Avro is designed to enable the efficient and portable serialization of structured data. It allows for the definition of complex data structures using a schema, which specifies the fields, types, and relationships within the data. The Avro schema language supports primitive data types such as integers, floats, and strings, as well as more complex types like arrays, maps, and records.
The Avro file format is binary based and allows for efficient storage and transmission of serialized data. It features a compact data representation that reduces the overall size of the serialized data, making it an ideal choice for large-scale data processing and storage systems.
One of the key advantages of Avro is its language independence. Avro schemas can be defined using a JSON-like syntax, making it accessible and compatible with various programming languages. This allows developers to work with Avro data in their preferred programming language, ensuring interoperability across different systems and technologies.
In summary, Avro is a software framework and file format that provides a compact and efficient data serialization system. It enables the exchange of structured data between applications written in different programming languages by defining schemas and using a binary-based format for serialization and storage.
