TCSV

TCSV is a name used for several proposed or niche data-interchange formats that extend standard CSV with type information and an explicit schema. The aim is to improve data validation, interoperability, and downstream processing in environments where strict typing is valuable.

Core features commonly associated with TCSV include per-column data types (such as integer, float, boolean, string, and date/time), an explicit schema either embedded in the file or referenced externally, and optional metadata blocks. Most variants preserve traditional CSV features such as delimiter choice, quoting, and newline separation, while adding mechanisms to declare or infer types and to check conformity against the schema during parsing.

Syntax and variants vary by implementation. Some TCSV formats place a separate type row or a header that includes type annotations alongside column names. Others use a standalone schema section at the top of the file or in a companion file. Validation tools can verify that data values conform to their declared types and that required fields are present.

Applications and limitations. TCSV is used in data integration and ETL workflows where schema consistency is important, and where tooling can enforce typing before storage or analysis. Its adoption is limited compared with plain CSV due to the need for compatible parsers and established pipelines.

See also: CSV, TSV, JSON, Parquet.