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31 changes: 16 additions & 15 deletions Doc/library/csv.rst
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The so-called CSV (Comma Separated Values) format is the most common import and
export format for spreadsheets and databases. CSV format was used for many
years prior to attempts to describe the format in a standardized way in
:rfc:`4180`. The lack of a well-defined standard means that subtle differences
often exist in the data produced and consumed by different applications. These
differences can make it annoying to process CSV files from multiple sources.
Still, while the delimiters and quoting characters vary, the overall format is
similar enough that it is possible to write a single module which can
efficiently manipulate such data, hiding the details of reading and writing the
data from the programmer.
The Comma Separated Values (CSV) format is the most common import and
export format for spreadsheets and databases. The standard format is columns
of text data separated by a comma delimiter. :rfc:`4180` defines the standard
for how CSV data is presented before being processed.

The lack of a well-defined standard meant that subtle differences often existed
in the data produced and consumed by different applications, making it annoying
to process CSV files from different sources. Still, while the delimiters and
quoting characters vary, the overall format is similar enough that it is possible
to write a single module which can efficiently manipulate such data, hiding the
details of reading and writing the data from the user.

The :mod:`csv` module implements classes to read and write tabular data in CSV
format. It allows programmers to say, "write this data in the format preferred
by Excel," or "read data from this file which was generated by Excel," without
knowing the precise details of the CSV format used by Excel. Programmers can
also describe the CSV formats understood by other applications or define their
own special-purpose CSV formats.
format. For example, the module allows programmers to say, "write this data in the
format preferred by Excel," or "read data from this file which was generated by Excel,"
without knowing the precise details of the CSV format that is understood by Excel.
Programmers can also describe CSV formats that are understood by other applications or
define their own dialects (CSV formats) for specific use cases.

The :mod:`csv` module's :class:`reader` and :class:`writer` objects read and
write sequences. Programmers can also read and write data in dictionary form
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