There are some more advanced syntax usage that you can leverage to take your YAML data to the next level. So, fasten your virtual seatbelts, grab your keyboards, and let's dive into some advanced syntax in YAML.
Nested Sequences and Mappings
At times, your YAML journey may take you deep into the caverns of complex data structures, such as nested sequences and mappings.
Sequences are a form of listing, and we often use them in the form of an array, or a list. Mappings, on the other hand, are our data dictionaries, holding key-value pairs.
But what happens when sequences and mappings decide to throw a party together? Well, we get nested sequences and mappings, my friends! These allow us to store more complex data within our YAML documents. Let's take a look:
kind: NestedDataParty
attendees:
- name: Sequence
food:
- burgers
- fries
- salad
- name: Mapping
drink:
water: 10
soda: 20
beer: 50
In the example above, attendees is a sequence of mappings. Each mapping contains a name key, and then another mapping or sequence. The party seems to be going well, don't you think?
Tags and Types
On the final leg of our YAML journey, we discover the realm of tags and types. Here, YAML showcases its versatility by allowing us to define our very own data types. We do this using tags, prefixed by the ! character.
Suppose you're constructing a fantastical creature for your mythical YAML kingdom. You might use a custom tag as follows:
- !Creature
name: Dragon
skills:
- fly
- breathe fire
In the above example, !Creature is a tag that your application can interpret to create a Creature object. This customizability adds a whole new layer of functionality to YAML, allowing it to be tailored to your unique application needs.
And there you have it, folks! You've braved the caverns of complex data structures and crafted unique artifacts with custom tags and types.
The YAML-verse is vast and full of wonders. Keep exploring, and most importantly, keep coding!