text-based format

A text-based format refers to storing information using plain text characters, like letters, numbers, and symbols, rather than complex data structures or graphics. This format makes files easy to create, read, and edit with simple tools, and ensures compatibility across different systems. Examples include TXT, CSV, and JSON files, which organize data in a human-readable way. Because they are lightweight and straightforward, text-based formats are widely used for data exchange, configuration files, and documentation, providing a clear way to represent information that anyone can access with basic software.