YAML Tools

YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization format used to represent structured data in a way that is both easy to read and write. The format focuses on simplicity and readability by using indentation to denote structure instead of brackets or tags. This makes it popular in environments where configuration files or data interchange need to be both developer-friendly and maintainable. YAML supports complex data structures such as lists, dictionaries, and scalars while maintaining a compact syntax. YAML also offers support for comments, which allows developers to annotate their configurations with explanations or instructions.

XMLSpy supports YAML using the same validation, editing, and conversion tools that made it a must-have tool for working with XML and JSON. Supporting YAML alongside XML and JSON in developer tools is helpful since each format serves distinct use cases in the modern development ecosystem. This multi-format support ensures that developers can choose the most appropriate serialization format for their specific needs, whether they're prioritizing machine readability, data interchange, or human maintainability.

Editing YAML

Although YAML is simple, its strict reliance on indentation and formatting can make it prone to errors. Specialized YAML editors provide features that can make coding faster while minimizing these issues. XMLSpy includes an intelligent, text-based YAML editor as well as a unique YAML Grid view.

The YAML text editor includes syntax highlighting, source folding and line numbers, YAML well-formedness checking, and rich validation support.

To make YAML editing even easier and more efficient, XMLSpy offers YAML Grid View.

Grid View presents YAML data in a structured, tabular format that makes it easier to navigate and read. This user-friendly approach minimizes errors commonly caused by manual editing, such as misaligned indentation. This graphical representation of the YAML document enables some additional functionality for editing that’s not possible in a text editor. For instance, the YAML document structure can be easily modified by adding, deleting, or moving objects in the grid. Entire blocks of text can be reorganized quickly by sorting them or simply dragging and dropping.

A unique XMLSpy feature called Table Mode displays a node with descendant nodes in a table format, with each descendant object displayed in a separate row, making the data immediately easier to understand. Without changing the underlying document, you can toggle Table Mode on and off to suit the content at hand. The Flip Rows/Columns button lets you reorient how the content is displayed for different types of data.

Grid View includes built-in support for YAML anchors and aliases. You can easily add anchors via the right-click context menu, and then corresponding aliases autocomplete as you type. Once defined, anchor and alias icons help you understand these relationships at a glance.