CSVexport

CSVexport refers to the process of exporting tabular data from a software system into a CSV file, a plain-text format in which each row represents a record and fields are separated by a delimiter.

The default delimiter is a comma, but many locales use semicolons or other characters; CSV is loosely defined and varies across applications. Common encoding for CSV files is UTF-8, and line endings may be CRLF or LF depending on the platform.

A typical export includes a header row with column names. Data fields may be quoted to allow inclusion of delimiters, quotes, or newline characters. Inside quoted fields, quotes are often escaped by doubling them.

Practical considerations include handling null or missing values, preserving numeric precision, and representing special characters. Large exports may be streamed rather than loaded entirely into memory to reduce resource usage and support progress reporting.

Related formats and standards include TSV (tab-separated values), a common variant, and RFC 4180, which outlines a conventional set of rules for CSV files. In practice, implementations differ on aspects such as quoting rules, embedded newlines, and delimiter choice. Compatibility with spreadsheet programs (such as Excel and Google Sheets) and databases can require attention to locale settings and file encoding to ensure correct import and interpretation.