Which format does Docker Compose use for configuration files?

Docker Compose uses YAML for its configuration files. YAML, which stands for "YAML Ain't Markup Language," is a human-readable data serialization format that is easy for users to read and write. In the context of Docker Compose, YAML files (typically called docker-compose.yml) define and manage multi-container Docker applications, specifying services, networks, and volumes in a structured manner.

YAML's simplicity and clarity make it an ideal choice for configuration files, allowing developers to easily tune and modify settings without having to deal with the complexities of more verbose formats like XML or JSON. Each service in a Docker Compose file can be clearly defined with its attributes, including images, environment variables, ports, and more, making it straightforward for users to understand the overall application architecture at a glance.

Overall, YAML's format promotes efficiency and clarity, which is essential for managing the complexity of modern containerized applications using Docker Compose.