Pickle¶

Overview¶

Data structure support	+-	Pickle is used to store Python object structures like `list` or `dict` in a byte stream. In contrast to `marshal`, already serialised objects are tracked so that later references are not serialised again. Recursive objects are also possible.
Standardisation	++	Pickle is defined in the Python Enhancement Proposals Proposals PEP 307, PEP 3154 and PEP 574.
Schema IDL	--	No
Language support	--	Python-specific
Human readability	+-	Pickle is a binary serialisation format, but it can be easily read with Python.
Speed	+-	The pickle format can usually be serialised and deserialised quickly by Python; see also Don’t pickle your data.
File size	++	Compact binary format, which can, however, be compressed even further, see also Data Compression and Archiving.