Protocol Buffers

Protocol Buffers is an advanced programming utility developed by Google Inc that allows seasoned developers to reorganize the way they are serializing structured data. Built from the ground up to recreate the functionality of XML in a smaller, faster, and simpler way, Protocol Buffers (also known as protobuf) has managed to prove itself as a platform-neutral, language-neutral, and highly modular programming mechanism that can process structured data in new and enticing ways.

With it, software developers are empowered to precisely define the way their data will be structured, create custom code with help of an automated code generation tool, and take full control over the ways data streams are written and read.

And the best thing yet, It can be managed with a wide array of programming languages, with direct support for code generation in Java, Python, Objective-C, and C++, and with extended support for Kotlin, Dart, Go, Ruby, and C# via the usage of proto3 language. Even more programming languages is slated to be added via future updates.

Programmers who are used to XML will find this new serializing structured data protocol easy to learn and integrate into their daily workflow. Google Protocol Buffers is notable for being smaller, faster, and simpler to use than XML, enabling enthusiasts to quickly set up their projects best fit their needs. However, it should be noted that XML still supports more options and is therefore more versatile in projects that demand features that are not covered by this new Google solution.

For example, XML can help programmers interleave structure with text, helping them to model a text-based document with markup. Today, Google uses Protocol Buffers in almost all of their internal RPC protocol communication and file formats.

Protocol Buffers is perfect for enabling procedures that can read the structure from a wide variety of data streams (both writing and reading) and update those streams in real-time. This is especially important if the source data streams are generated by programs that can’t be easily updated to support new features that users want to infuse into the data stream they generate.

Protocol Buffers is distributed online as a compressed ZIP archive, requiring users to manually download, extract and use the console command style app on any modern PC.

PROS

• Provides a fast and efficient way to serialize structured data
• Supports multiple programming languages and platforms
• Offers automatic code generation and versioning for compatibility
• Allows for easy integration with other systems and applications
• Offers backwards compatibility, enabling older clients to communicate with newer servers

CONS

• May have a steeper learning curve for beginners due to its complexity
• Requires manual compilation of code and installation of protobuf libraries
• May require additional work for custom encoding and decoding of data