Skip to content

About YAML

What is YAML?

YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization language designed for data exchange between languages with different data structures.

It's often used for configuration files, data exchange, and representing complex data structures in a readable format.

Key Features

  • Human Readable - Easy to read and write for both humans and machines
  • Language Independent - Works across programming languages and platforms
  • Hierarchical - Supports complex nested data structures
  • Extensible - Can be extended with custom data types
  • Secure - Built with security considerations in mind

History

YAML was first proposed by Clark Evans in 2001, and was designed together with Ingy döt Net and Oren Ben-Kiki.

The name "YAML" is a recursive acronym for "YAML Ain't Markup Language", emphasizing that YAML is primarily a data serialization language rather than a markup language.

Why YAML Matters Today

Infrastructure as Code

YAML is the de facto standard for defining infrastructure configurations in tools like Kubernetes, Docker Compose, and Terraform.

DevOps and CI/CD

Modern CI/CD pipelines rely heavily on YAML for defining build steps, deployment configurations, and automation workflows.

Cloud-Native Applications

As organizations move to cloud-native architectures, YAML becomes increasingly critical for managing complex distributed systems.

Configuration Management

YAML provides a clean, readable way to manage application configurations across different environments and deployment stages.

YAML in the Enterprise

Large enterprises depend on YAML for:

  • Kubernetes Deployments - Managing thousands of containers
  • Microservices Configuration - Service discovery and configuration
  • Security Policies - Access control and compliance rules
  • Monitoring and Alerting - Observability stack configuration
  • Data Pipeline Definitions - ETL and data processing workflows

The Challenge

Despite its widespread use, YAML infrastructure lacks professional maintenance and support.

This creates risks for enterprises that depend on YAML for critical operations:

  • Security Vulnerabilities - Unpatched issues in core libraries
  • Stability Issues - Breaking changes and compatibility problems
  • Performance Problems - Inefficient parsing and processing
  • Maintenance Gaps - Limited resources for ongoing development

Our Solution

YAML LLC addresses these challenges through the YAML Enterprise Sustainability (YES) program, providing:

  • Professional maintenance and security updates
  • Enterprise-grade support and consulting
  • Long-term roadmap planning and execution
  • Community development and ecosystem growth

By supporting YAML through the YES program, enterprises ensure the reliability and security of their critical infrastructure while contributing to the broader open source ecosystem.

Learn more about how to become a sponsor and support YAML's future.