Tab-separated values
Encyclopedia
A tab-separated values file is a simple text format for a database
table. Each record in the table is one line of the text file. Each field value of a record is separated from the next by a tab stop
character – it is a form of the more general delimiter-separated values format.
TSV is a simple file format that is widely supported, so it is often used to move tabular data between different computer programs that support the format. For example, a TSV file might be used to transfer information from a database program to a spreadsheet.
TSV is an alternative to the common comma-separated values
(CSV) format, and avoiding needing to escape
commas – literal commas are very common in text data, but literal tab stops are infrequent in running text.
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
table. Each record in the table is one line of the text file. Each field value of a record is separated from the next by a tab stop
Tab stop
A tab stop on a typewriter is a location where the carriage movement is halted by mechanical gears. Tab stops are set manually, and pressing the tab key causes the carriage to go to the next tab stop...
character – it is a form of the more general delimiter-separated values format.
TSV is a simple file format that is widely supported, so it is often used to move tabular data between different computer programs that support the format. For example, a TSV file might be used to transfer information from a database program to a spreadsheet.
TSV is an alternative to the common comma-separated values
Comma-separated values
A comma-separated values file stores tabular data in plain-text form. As a result, such a file is easily human-readable ....
(CSV) format, and avoiding needing to escape
Escape character
In computing and telecommunication, an escape character is a character which invokes an alternative interpretation on subsequent characters in a character sequence. An escape character is a particular case of metacharacters...
commas – literal commas are very common in text data, but literal tab stops are infrequent in running text.
External links
- Tab Separated Value File Format, GnumericGnumericGnumeric is a spreadsheet program that is part of the GNOME Free Software Desktop Project. Gnumeric version 1.0 was released December 31, 2001. Gnumeric is distributed as free software under the GNU GPL license; it is intended to replace proprietary and other spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft...
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