papaparse vs fast-csv vs csv-parser vs tsv
CSV and TSV Parsing Libraries Comparison
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papaparsefast-csvcsv-parsertsvSimilar Packages:
What's CSV and TSV Parsing Libraries?

CSV and TSV parsing libraries are essential tools in web development for handling data interchange formats commonly used for data storage and transfer. These libraries provide functionalities to read, write, and manipulate CSV (Comma-Separated Values) and TSV (Tab-Separated Values) files efficiently. They simplify the process of parsing and converting these formats into usable JavaScript objects, making it easier for developers to integrate data from various sources into their applications. Each library has its unique features, performance characteristics, and use cases, catering to different needs in data processing.

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papaparse3,575,42412,811263 kB207a month agoMIT
fast-csv2,488,9381,6967.03 kB544 months agoMIT
csv-parser1,187,3711,44329.5 kB56a month agoMIT
tsv32,88421-412 years agoMIT (ricardo.mit-license.org)
Feature Comparison: papaparse vs fast-csv vs csv-parser vs tsv

Performance

  • papaparse:

    papaparse is optimized for both speed and ease of use, with features like web workers that allow for asynchronous parsing. This makes it particularly effective for parsing large files in the browser without blocking the UI.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv balances performance and flexibility, offering both streaming and in-memory parsing options. It is optimized for speed and can handle large files effectively, making it suitable for applications that require quick data processing.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser is designed for high performance, especially with large files, as it streams data and processes it in chunks. This minimizes memory usage and allows for efficient handling of big datasets without loading the entire file into memory at once.

  • tsv:

    tsv is lightweight and efficient for parsing TSV files, but it may not offer the same level of performance optimizations as the other libraries when dealing with very large datasets.

Flexibility

  • papaparse:

    papaparse is very flexible, supporting multiple parsing options, including custom delimiters, header row handling, and dynamic typing. It also allows for configuration of worker threads for performance improvements, making it versatile for different scenarios.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv offers a highly flexible API that allows for extensive customization of parsing and formatting options. You can define custom delimiters, transform data during parsing, and handle various edge cases effectively.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser provides a straightforward API for parsing CSV files but is less flexible when it comes to customization compared to others. It focuses on performance and simplicity, making it ideal for straightforward use cases.

  • tsv:

    tsv is specifically designed for TSV files and is less flexible than the others when it comes to handling CSV. It is straightforward but lacks advanced customization options.

Ease of Use

  • papaparse:

    papaparse is known for its user-friendly API and extensive documentation. It is designed to be easy to use, especially for developers working with client-side applications, making it a popular choice for web projects.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv provides a well-documented API that is easy to navigate, making it accessible for developers. Its comprehensive features may require a bit more time to fully utilize, but it offers great flexibility once mastered.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser has a simple and intuitive API, making it easy to use for developers who need to quickly implement CSV parsing without a steep learning curve. However, it may lack some advanced features that could simplify complex use cases.

  • tsv:

    tsv is straightforward and easy to use for parsing TSV files, but its simplicity may limit its applicability for more complex scenarios.

Community and Support

  • papaparse:

    papaparse boasts a large community and extensive documentation, making it easy to find support and resources. Its popularity in web development ensures that many developers have experience with it.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv has a larger community and is widely used in the Node.js ecosystem, which means more resources, tutorials, and community support are available for developers.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser has a smaller community compared to others, but it is well-maintained and has sufficient documentation for most use cases. Support may be limited to GitHub issues and community forums.

  • tsv:

    tsv has a smaller community and may not have as many resources available. However, it is simple enough that most developers can quickly understand and implement it without extensive support.

File Handling

  • papaparse:

    papaparse is designed for both client-side and server-side CSV handling, making it versatile for applications that need to manage user-uploaded files or perform data processing in the browser.

  • fast-csv:

    fast-csv excels in both reading and writing CSV files, providing a robust solution for applications that require comprehensive file handling capabilities, including transforming data during the process.

  • csv-parser:

    csv-parser is optimized for handling large CSV files efficiently, making it ideal for server-side applications that need to process data streams without loading everything into memory.

  • tsv:

    tsv is focused solely on TSV file handling, providing a simple solution for applications that specifically deal with tab-separated values.

How to Choose: papaparse vs fast-csv vs csv-parser vs tsv
  • papaparse:

    Opt for papaparse if you are looking for a feature-rich library that supports parsing CSV files in both the browser and Node.js. It includes functionalities like worker threads for faster parsing, and it is ideal for applications that need to handle user-uploaded CSV files or require client-side processing.

  • fast-csv:

    Select fast-csv if you require a comprehensive CSV parsing and formatting solution with support for both reading and writing CSV files. It offers a flexible API and is well-suited for applications that need to handle complex CSV structures or require extensive customization.

  • csv-parser:

    Choose csv-parser if you need a lightweight and fast solution for parsing large CSV files in a streaming manner. It is particularly useful for applications that require efficient memory usage and performance when handling big datasets.

  • tsv:

    Use tsv if your primary focus is on parsing tab-separated values. It is a simple and straightforward library designed specifically for TSV files, making it a good choice for applications that deal exclusively with this format.

README for papaparse

Parse CSV with JavaScript

Papa Parse is the fastest in-browser CSV (or delimited text) parser for JavaScript. It is reliable and correct according to RFC 4180, and it comes with these features:

  • Easy to use
  • Parse CSV files directly (local or over the network)
  • Fast mode
  • Stream large files (even via HTTP)
  • Reverse parsing (converts JSON to CSV)
  • Auto-detect delimiter
  • Worker threads to keep your web page reactive
  • Header row support
  • Pause, resume, abort
  • Can convert numbers and booleans to their types
  • Optional jQuery integration to get files from <input type="file"> elements
  • One of the only parsers that correctly handles line-breaks and quotations

Papa Parse has no dependencies - not even jQuery.

Install

papaparse is available on npm. It can be installed with the following command:

npm install papaparse

If you don't want to use npm, papaparse.min.js can be downloaded to your project source.

Usage

import Papa from 'papaparse';

Papa.parse(file, config);
    
const csv = Papa.unparse(data[, config]);

Homepage & Demo

To learn how to use Papa Parse:

The website is hosted on Github Pages. Its content is also included in the docs folder of this repository. If you want to contribute on it just clone the master of this repository and open a pull request.

Papa Parse for Node

Papa Parse can parse a Readable Stream instead of a File when used in Node.js environments (in addition to plain strings). In this mode, encoding must, if specified, be a Node-supported character encoding. The Papa.LocalChunkSize, Papa.RemoteChunkSize , download, withCredentials and worker config options are unavailable.

Papa Parse can also parse in a node streaming style which makes .pipe available. Simply pipe the Readable Stream to the stream returned from Papa.parse(Papa.NODE_STREAM_INPUT, options). The Papa.LocalChunkSize, Papa.RemoteChunkSize , download, withCredentials, worker, step, and complete config options are unavailable. To register a callback with the stream to process data, use the data event like so: stream.on('data', callback) and to signal the end of stream, use the 'end' event like so: stream.on('end', callback).

Get Started

For usage instructions, see the homepage and, for more detail, the documentation.

Tests

Papa Parse is under test. Download this repository, run npm install, then npm test to run the tests.

Contributing

To discuss a new feature or ask a question, open an issue. To fix a bug, submit a pull request to be credited with the contributors! Remember, a pull request, with test, is best. You may also discuss on Twitter with #PapaParse or directly to me, @mholt6.

If you contribute a patch, ensure the tests suite is running correctly. We run continuous integration on each pull request and will not accept a patch that breaks the tests.