kärnformat

Kärnformat is a term used in Swedish computing to describe a class of compact, self-describing binary data formats intended for encoding core system information such as configuration data, firmware metadata, and essential kernel-level content. The name derives from kärna (core or kernel) and format.

Typically, kärnformat documents a small header followed by a structured payload. A header may include a magic identifier, version number, endianness, and total length. The payload consists of defined fields or schemas—often key–value pairs, tables, or simple arrays—designed for deterministic decoding and straightforward validation. To improve reliability, implementations may include checksums or cryptographic integrity protections, and schemas may be versioned for backward compatibility. The format is designed to be extensible so new fields can be added without breaking existing decoders, while remaining space-efficient for use in constrained environments. Depending on the variant, kärnformat supports streaming access and random access to subparts of the payload.

Common use cases include embedded systems and real-time operating systems where compact, predictable data exchange is required for bootstrapping, firmware updates, and configuration management. It is not a single standardized protocol; rather, the term is used in Swedish-language documentation to describe a family of domain-specific binary formats with similar goals.

Compared with text-based formats like JSON or XML, kärnformat emphasizes compactness and binary efficiency, while competing binary formats (for example CBOR or MessagePack) emphasize general-purpose data interchange. Adoption often depends on the availability of tooling and clear schema specifications for a given project.