json2csv vs csv-parser vs csv-writer
CSV Handling Libraries Comparison
1 Year
json2csvcsv-parsercsv-writerSimilar Packages:
What's CSV Handling Libraries?

CSV handling libraries are essential tools in web development for parsing and writing CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files, which are commonly used for data exchange. These libraries simplify the process of reading data from CSV files into JavaScript objects and writing JavaScript objects back into CSV format. They help developers manage data efficiently, especially when dealing with large datasets or integrating with external systems that utilize CSV for data interchange. Each library has its unique features and use cases, making it important to choose the right one based on project requirements.

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json2csv1,201,5232,72451.2 kB172 years agoMIT
csv-parser1,201,0681,44229.5 kB56a month agoMIT
csv-writer772,193252-295 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: json2csv vs csv-parser vs csv-writer

Parsing Efficiency

  • json2csv:

    json2csv is primarily focused on converting JSON to CSV. Its efficiency is tied to the size of the JSON object being converted. For large JSON datasets, performance may vary based on the complexity of the transformation and the output format.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser is designed for high performance and efficiency, utilizing a streaming approach to parse CSV files. This allows it to handle large files without loading the entire dataset into memory, which is crucial for performance in data-intensive applications.

  • csv-writer:

    csv-writer focuses on writing CSV files rather than parsing. While it doesn't handle large datasets as efficiently as csv-parser, it provides a simple API for writing data, which is sufficient for most use cases involving smaller datasets.

Customization Options

  • json2csv:

    json2csv provides extensive customization options for transforming JSON data into CSV format. Users can select specific fields, rename headers, and apply transformations to data, making it a powerful tool for exporting data in a desired format.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser offers limited customization options as it primarily focuses on parsing CSV data into JavaScript objects. It does allow for some configuration, such as specifying delimiters and headers, but is not as flexible as the other libraries in terms of output formatting.

  • csv-writer:

    csv-writer excels in customization, allowing developers to define headers, specify field order, and format data before writing to CSV. This makes it highly suitable for creating structured CSV files tailored to specific requirements.

Ease of Use

  • json2csv:

    json2csv is also user-friendly, especially for developers familiar with JSON. Its API is intuitive, allowing for quick conversions from JSON to CSV, but may require some understanding of the options available for customization.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser has a straightforward API that is easy to use for parsing CSV files. However, it may require additional handling for complex CSV structures, which could introduce a slight learning curve for beginners.

  • csv-writer:

    csv-writer is designed with simplicity in mind, making it very user-friendly for writing CSV files. Its clear API and documentation help developers quickly implement CSV writing functionality without much overhead.

Streaming Support

  • json2csv:

    json2csv does not support streaming either, as it is designed for converting JSON objects to CSV format. It processes the entire JSON object before generating the CSV output, which may not be optimal for very large datasets.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser supports streaming, which is a significant advantage when dealing with large CSV files. It processes data in chunks, allowing for efficient memory usage and faster parsing times, making it ideal for real-time data processing.

  • csv-writer:

    csv-writer does not support streaming natively, as it is primarily focused on writing complete datasets to CSV files. For large datasets, this may require loading all data into memory before writing, which could be a limitation.

Community and Support

  • json2csv:

    json2csv enjoys a robust community and is widely used, which translates to extensive documentation and numerous examples available online. This makes it easier for developers to find help and resources when needed.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser has a growing community and is actively maintained, providing a decent level of support through documentation and community contributions. However, it may not have as extensive a user base as some other libraries.

  • csv-writer:

    csv-writer has a solid community and good documentation, making it easy to find examples and support. Its popularity among developers ensures that common issues are often addressed in community forums.

How to Choose: json2csv vs csv-parser vs csv-writer
  • json2csv:

    Select json2csv if you need to convert JSON data to CSV format. It offers flexibility in customizing the output, including field selection and transformation, making it perfect for data export scenarios.

  • csv-parser:

    Choose csv-parser if you need a lightweight and efficient solution for parsing large CSV files. It streams data, making it suitable for handling big datasets without consuming excessive memory.

  • csv-writer:

    Opt for csv-writer if your primary requirement is to create and write CSV files easily. It provides a straightforward API for defining headers and formatting data, making it ideal for generating reports or exporting data.

README for json2csv

:warning: WARNING: THIS PACKAGE IS ABANDONED

The code has moved to a new home.

This repository stays as a the historic home of json2csv up until v5. From v6, the library has been broken into smaller libraries that are now published to NPM independently:

  • Plainjs: Includes the Parser API and a new StreamParser API which doesn't the conversion in a streaming fashion in pure js.
  • Node: Includes the Node Transform and Node Async Parser APIs for Node users.
  • WHATWG: Includes the WHATWG Transform Stream and WHATWG Async Parser APIs for users of WHATWG streams (browser, Node or Deno).
  • CLI: Includes the CLI interface.
  • Transforms: Includes the built-in transforms for json2csv.
  • Formatters: Includes the built-in formatters for json2csv. Formatters are the new way to format data before adding it to the resulting CSV.

Up-to-date documentation of the library can be found at https://juanjodiaz.github.io/json2csv