Apache Avro
TLDR: Apache Avro, introduced in 2009 by the Apache Software Foundation, is a data serialization system designed for efficient and compact storage and transmission. It supports dynamic schema evolution and is widely used in distributed systems like Apache Hadoop and Apache Kafka. Apache Avro is schema-based, enabling data interoperability across multiple programming languages while minimizing serialization overhead.
Apache Avro's schema-based approach allows applications to define data structures independently of programming languages, ensuring compatibility across systems. It uses a compact binary format, reducing storage and transmission costs compared to JSON or XML. Additionally, its support for schema evolution enables seamless updates to data formats without requiring all systems to update simultaneously.
https://avro.apache.org/docs/current/spec.html
One of Apache Avro's significant advantages is its integration with big data ecosystems. It is a native serialization format for Apache Kafka and Apache Hadoop, making it a preferred choice for high-throughput, low-latency systems. Its ability to store schemas alongside data ensures that deserialization is accurate and efficient, even in heterogeneous environments.
https://kafka.apache.org/documentation/#connect_avro
Security considerations in Apache Avro include ensuring proper schema validation, encrypting data at rest and in transit, and limiting access to schema registries. Improper configuration can lead to data leakage or insecure deserialization. Following best practices for Access Controls and secure schema management is essential to prevent vulnerabilities.
https://owasp.org/www-community/vulnerabilities/Insecure_Deserialization