What file format does dbt use for configuration settings?

dbt uses YAML (Yet Another Markup Language) for its configuration settings. This choice is significant because YAML is designed for human-readable data serialization, which makes it particularly suitable for configuration files. It allows for clear and intuitive organization of hierarchical data, making it easy for users to define various settings such as models, sources, and other parameters in a structured manner.

YAML's format supports both simple and complex configurations, enabling users to define relationships and properties directly in a way that both machines and humans can easily comprehend. This enhances readability and maintainability of dbt configurations.

In contrast, while JSON is also human-readable, it is typically more verbose and less intuitive than YAML for configuration purposes. XML, though powerful, is generally seen as overly complex for simple configuration tasks and tends to be more cumbersome due to its syntax requirements. CSV is primarily used for tabular data and lacks the hierarchical structure needed for detailed configuration settings, making it unsuitable for this context.