FlatBuffers is a cross-platform serialization library that enables direct access to serialized data without requiring parsing or unpacking.
The library solves the problem of efficient data serialization by architecting for maximum memory efficiency while maintaining strong forwards and backwards compatibility. Its approach uses a schema-based code generation model: developers define their data structure in a FlatBuffers schema file, run the flatc compiler to generate language-specific code, then use the generated accessors to read data directly from the serialized buffer without deserialization overhead. This zero-copy design allows data to be transmitted, stored, or read across different languages and schema versions seamlessly.
FlatBuffers suits projects where serialization performance and memory efficiency are critical constraints, particularly those involving cross-language communication or systems with tight memory budgets. The tool supports code generation for numerous languages including C, C++, C#, Dart, Go, Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, Lua, PHP, Python, Rust, Swift, TypeScript, and Nim, making it viable for polyglot environments. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and any platform with a recent C++ compiler.
The project maintains active continuous integration across multiple build systems and platforms. The codebase undergoes regular fuzzing to identify security issues. The project sustains an active community communication channel and maintains engagement through social media presence.
