A CSV file, or Comma-Separated Values file, is a simple text format used to store tabular data. Each line in a CSV file represents a row of data, and the values in that row are separated by commas. This format is widely used because it is easy to read and write, making it compatible with many software applications, including spreadsheets like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. CSV files are often used for data exchange between different systems, as they can be easily generated and parsed by various programming languages. They are particularly useful for handling large datasets, allowing users to import and export data efficiently without complex formatting.