Textual or binary file formats – pros and Cons
Whenever you play a game, cut a video, edit a photo, or write a piece of text or a book, you will make use of the integrated load and save functions integrated with the software you are using. Saving a game at a safe spot, storing a video sequence after making a large number of edits, or pressing Ctrl + S every now and then in the text editor has become normal to us.
But have you ever thought about the data that is saved and loaded? You might have some questions regarding the following functions, like:
- What needs to be stored to fully restore your latest state?
- What format should be used to save the data?
- What happens if a program is updated? Will I be able to load the saved data?
- Can I read or change the saved file without the original program?
For all programs you only use, the decision about the format and amount of data lies in the hands of their developers. But, for our application...
