YAMLlike

YAMLlike refers to a family of data serialization formats that imitate the core style of YAML. The name is used to describe languages and configurations that prioritize human readability, indentation-based structure, and a simple mapping and sequence syntax, while not necessarily conforming to the official YAML specification. YAMLlike formats are commonly used for configuration files and data exchange where ease of editing is important.

Key features typically associated with YAMLlike variants include indentation-driven mappings and lists, the use of plain text scalars, and support for comments. Some YAMLlike implementations deliberately omit more complex YAML features such as anchors, aliases, and complex typing to simplify parsing and improve predictability. Others provide a restricted type system or explicit typing to avoid ambiguity.

Syntax in YAMLlike systems generally mirrors YAML’s hierarchical organization: top-level mappings, nested mappings, and lists indicated by indentation and dash markers. While exact rules vary, the intention is to present data in a human-friendly form that is easy to write and read.

Differences from YAML range from feature scope to parsing guarantees. YAMLlike variants may drop extended types, flow style, and reference semantics, or impose strict parsers to minimize security risks and parsing ambiguities. They are often designed to be easier to implement in constrained environments.

Usage and provenance: the term YAMLlike is informal and descriptive rather than a single standard. It appears in discussions of configuration languages and data formats that resemble YAML, offering a practical alternative when full YAML compatibility is unnecessary or undesirable.