The Easy Understanding of YAML

YAML compared to JSON is like Python compared to JavaScript. YAML is smarter with tree of nodes instead of opening and closing blocks.

For a parent-child relation, it is read with the parent first in JSON:

• Starting with { is an object
• Starting with [ is an array

However, with the same parent-child relation, it is read with the child first in YAML:

• A node followed by ':' (colon) means the parent is an object
• A node starts with '- ' (dash and space) means the parent is a list
• A node starts with '- ' (dash and space) and followed by ':' (colon) means it's starting key of an object and the parent is a list.
• Indent below an object key to make child object key.

Examples of YAML

Example 1. Root is object

Foo: "value1"

Bar: "value2"

Example 2: Root is list

- "value1"

- "value2"

Example 3: Object (root) of objects

Foo:

  Child1: "value1"

  Child2: "value2"

Example 4: Object (root) of lists

Foo:

  Child1:

  - "value1"

  - "value2"

  Child2:

  - "value3"

  - "value4"

Example 4: List of items

List:

- "value1"

- "value2"

Example 5: List of objects

List:

- Foo: "value1"

  Bar: "value2"

- Foo: "value3"

  Bar: "value4"