çabasdr

çabasdr is a fictional data-serialization format introduced in theoretical discussions of compact encoding for web, mobile, and embedded systems. The term is a portmanteau inspired by the Turkish word çaba, meaning effort, combined with sdr, an acronym for serialized data representation. The concept is used in examples and coursework to illustrate trade-offs in encoding schemes.

Design goals include minimizing overhead, enabling fast encoding and decoding on limited hardware, ensuring cross-platform portability, and supporting incremental schema evolution. The format defines a compact binary payload with a small header, a variable-length type tag, and a defined set of primitive and composite data types.

çabasdr employs a variable-length integer encoding, a header prefix that indicates payload length, and optional checksums for integrity. It supports integers, floating-point numbers, booleans, strings, arrays, and maps, with deterministic ordering for maps to aid reproducibility. It is designed to be streaming-friendly, allowing partial payloads to be parsed as data arrives.

In comparative discussions, proponents contrast çabasdr with CBOR and MessagePack, noting its emphasis on deterministic encoding and straightforward schema evolution. Critics emphasize that, as a fictional construct, it lacks a formal specification and practical tooling.

Within educational contexts, çabasdr appears in exercises on encoding efficiency, data interchange, and simulations that explore how schema changes affect serialization costs. It is often presented as a thought experiment rather than a real technology.

As of this article, there is no official standard or implementations for çabasdr.