EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Lobsters·Aug 20·5 min read
Protobuf Explained
TL;DR
Protocol Buffers (Protobuf) is a schema-driven format for serializing structured data, enabling consistent code generation across languages and seamless evolution of APIs. It ensures that clients built on older versions remain functional even as schemas change.
✦ Why It Matters
Start using Protobuf today to ensure your APIs are robust and maintainable over time.
Key Takeaways
- Define your APIs using Protobuf for consistency across languages.
- Utilize the generated code for type safety and error reduction.
- Leverage both binary and JSON encodings for flexibility.
- Evolve your schemas without breaking existing client compatibility.
How It Works
Protobuf uses a schema to define data structures and APIs, generating code in various languages. It supports two encodings: a compact binary format for efficiency and a JSON format for readability.
The binary encoding uses field numbers, allowing for smaller payloads, while JSON is easily interpretable by humans and tools.