Created by: Paul Pitcher
Creation Date: Aug 16, 2025
Updated Date: Oct 14, 2025
CSV (Comma-separated values)
The CSV file format was supported by the IBM Fortran compiler under OS/360 in 1972. However, the term "comma-separated value" and the abbreviation "CSV" were first used in 1983.
a CSV file is simply a text file with the extention .csv
CSV files are commonly used in the data world. i've been using them for over 25 years. i would have thought that something better would come along but guess what its 2025 we are still useing CSV files. CSV files have many uses. YOu can use them for sharing data between databases, importing or exporting data with excel. Some banks even allow you to download your transaction histry as a CSV file. Some hard ware devices can export log files as a CSV file. CSV files aren't going anywhere so its best to learn a little bit about this ancient and widly used file format.
A CSV file can be saved in several different ways. For example you could have a CSV file that uses "," commas to seperate data. In the United states this is the most common way to save a CSV file. This is what a "," comma seperated CSV file looks like when opened.
name,age,EyeColor
Don,7,Blue
Sue,9,Green
In Europe its common to save a CSV file with a Semicolon ";"
name;age;EyeColor
Don;7;Blue
Sue;9;Green
You could have a CSV file that uses a "-" dash to seperate data.
name-age-EyeColor
Don-7-Blue
Sue-9-Green
So for example if you were to import a CSV file into "LibreOffice Calc" you could select a "-" dash as the Separator for the CSV file.
So what is the goal: When we move data from one database to another database, or from one location to another (excel or some other tool) we want the data to be structured and to make some logical scense to the system that is importing the data. So in this example when we import this data into "LibreOffice Calc" its like magic. We were able to take a simple text file and we now have rows and columns of data.
TIP: If you are unfamilular with "LibreOffice Calc" it has most of the features that Microsoft excel has and its free. I've been using Excel for over 25 years and when i am at home i use "LibreOffice Calc".
Click here to download LibreOffice