YAML vs Properties File: Which One to Choose?

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Choosing between YAML and properties files in a Spring Boot application depends on your preferences and the complexity of your configuration needs. Here are some considerations to help you decide:

YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language):

Advantages:

1. Readability: YAML is often considered more human-readable and intuitive compared to properties files. It uses indentation and a clear structure, which can make it easier to understand complex configurations.
2. Complex Configurations: If your application has a complex configuration with nested properties or lists, YAML can handle this more naturally than properties files.
3. Profiles: YAML supports the use of profiles, which can be useful for managing configurations for different environments (e.g., development, production).

server:
  port: 8080
  address: 0.0.0.0
account:
  delete:
    gracePeriod: 30
public:
  urls: /auth/token
format:
  date-time: MM-dd-yyyy HH:mm:ss
  date: MM-dd-yyyy
  time: HH:mm:ss

Disadvantages:

1. Whitespace Sensitivity: YAML is whitespace-sensitive, which means that incorrect indentation can lead to errors. This might be a consideration if your team is not familiar with YAML.