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If you are using a proper CSV library you don't have any of the problems this format is trying to solve. The CSV format does not have any issues mentioned, it is either a buggy CSV library or some lazzy developer who thinks CSV is just fields separated with comma writing 2 line of code instead of using a proper CSV library.

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Which CSV library is able to infer that a value is a number instead of a string?

CSV for sure requires a convention to be shared between the producer and the consumer of the data. Once you have that I don't think you will need to deal with this problem.

To be honest, what I didn't like is the tone of the article. It is just that this statement is wrong: "But the problem is that CSV isn't really a well defined file format with a well defined syntax." There is RFC 4180.

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