Config File Formats

Comments debate the merits of simple plain-text configuration files versus alternatives like code-as-config, JSON, or YAML, emphasizing human-readability, editability by non-programmers, and criticism of reinvented or tedious formats.

📉 Falling 0.5x DevOps & Infrastructure
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#4335
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Keywords

e.g CPU JSON ONE CLI XML settings.py config.json LOGGER package.json config config files configuration file config file files configs json yaml programming

Sample Comments

oneeyedpigeon Dec 17, 2025 View on HN

It's ridiculous that all those things aren't just config in a plain text file.

hiepph Oct 24, 2023 View on HN

If only they had configuration files...

chefandy Sep 15, 2021 View on HN

Who commented that you don't imagine uses configuration files?

eloff Sep 17, 2021 View on HN

Why specifically is that worse than config files?

SanchoPanda Apr 5, 2020 View on HN

A large number of configs are created/used by people that don't know any programming languages, it seems rough to exclude all those people.

eliben Oct 12, 2013 View on HN

"simple config files" implies an optimist. Good for you, sir.

pkulak Mar 9, 2012 View on HN

Why can't you just use a config file?

rbanffy Jul 17, 2013 View on HN

Agreed. Seriously, what's wrong with text config files and a text editor?

mercurial Jun 13, 2014 View on HN

How is this nicer than a configuration file template?

dools Nov 1, 2011 View on HN

Jesus you expected a human to produce that file??? No wonder they shot themselves in the foot! My solution to that wouldn't be a different config format, but less config.