Data Overview

Learn about the basics, and how Mesh handles Cardano data

Parsing and converting data in Plutus is a common task when working with transactions. This page will show you how to do that.

Use of Data in Cardano

Cardano data and information is usually communicated in CBOR encoding format, which can be decoded into JSON representation.

On top of the 2, Mesh also provides the Data type which get rids of unnecessary wrappers.

Mesh supports building data for your app in all 3 different formats.

  • Mesh - the Data type
  • JSON
  • CBOR

    • Mesh Data Type

    Mesh Data type is best used when you want to quickly and easily compose your data types.

    JSON Data Type

    All Cardano data has the JSON representation, which is suitable for building Web3 app which needs frequent back and forth conversion between on-chain and off-chain code. Mesh also supports building data in JSON format with strong input validation support.

    CBOR

    CBOR is the lowest level representation of data in Cardano. Mesh provides endpoints to allow users to provide CBOR in providing data, which is the case for developers utilizing other serialization package other than mesh in part the application.