I’ve come to understand the horror that is working with Text based delimited file formats, such as CSV, TSV or what have you. There are some published specs for both file formats that can be used as guidance when it comes to implementing write support for these formats, but mostly every file I see is broken in some way that expects the parser to be omniscient about the original context of the file.

So, in an effort to increase awareness around Delimited file formats, I’ve started a project on github, and a published site at http://delimitedfileformats.info that will attempt to give people useful information about how to read and write these particular file formats in a way that is consistent and productive.

But I need help.

I need help with the design, the content, and feedback on the overall usefulness of the site.

I’ve made an initial stab at it, but I’m hoping for some lovely team work on this…