Protocol Buffers File
An extension defines a field outside a message. Extensions let data be added to messages without breaking older code. There are two reasons to use extensions. First, you can avoid polluting namespaces...
General Information
| Title | PROTO File Extension |
| Extension | .proto |
| Full Form | Protocol Buffers File |
| File Type | Configuration File |
| Developer | |
| MIME Type | text/plain |
File Function
| Primary Function | Define message structure |
| Additional Functions | Data serialization, Interface description |
| Features | Language-neutral, Platform-neutral |
File Characteristics
| Quality | Structured data |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| API Development | Yes |
| Data Exchange | Yes |
| Service Interface | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Improper usage |
| Best Practices | Schema management, Data validation |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 2008 |
| Latest Version | Proto3 |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .pb, .pb.go, .pb.dart |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Google's Protocol Buffers Compiler |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
 JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA |
Free, Commercial | Windows, Mac, Linux |
 Visual Studio Code |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |