Protocol Buffers (serialization format)

Protocol Buffers, often called Protobuf, is a method for encoding structured data in a compact format. Imagine it like a way to pack and unpack a suitcase, where each item represents a piece of information. Developed by Google, Protobuf efficiently serializes data into binary format, making it smaller and faster to transmit over networks or store in files. It supports multiple programming languages, allowing different systems to easily share data. When needed, the data can be unpacked, allowing software programs to understand and use it effectively. This makes Protobuf popular for applications requiring efficient data exchange.