Protocol Buffers 36.2 for Mac
Mac UtilitiesProtocol Buffers, often shortened to Protobuf, is a free and open source format from Google for serialising structured data. You describe your data once in a simple text file, and the protoc compiler turns it into fast code for reading and writing that data in many languages, with files far smaller than plain text formats.
Key Features
- Defines data structures once and generates code for many languages
- Produces compact binary output that is quick to read and write
- Supports C++, Java, Python, Go, C Sharp, Ruby, PHP and more
- Keeps old and new data compatible as your schemas grow over time
- Ships with full documentation and an active open source community
How to Download
- Get the release from Download from the official site and follow its download links.
- Download the protoc build for macOS and unpack it on your Mac.
- Place the protoc tool on your path and add the runtime for your language.
System Requirements
Protobuf runs on macOS as a command line tool plus language libraries, so needs are modest. You need a supported compiler or runtime for the language you target, and the official support pages list what each release covers.
FAQs
Is Protocol Buffers free to use?
Yes. It is open source software released by Google, and both the compiler and the runtimes can be used in personal and commercial projects.
What is protoc used for?
Protoc is the compiler. It reads your data definitions and generates source code that serialises and reads your structured data in your chosen language.
Can old data be read by newer versions?
Yes. The binary format is designed for compatibility, so data written by older code stays readable as schemas and runtimes move forward.
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