What file format should a developer use when exporting a price book for importation into a B2C Commerce site?

When exporting a price book for importation into a B2C Commerce site, using XML is the standard practice. XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is widely utilized in B2C Commerce for data representation due to its flexibility and structured format. It allows for the hierarchical organization of data, which is particularly beneficial for complex datasets like price books that can include various attributes and relationships among different entries.

Using XML enables developers to define custom tags and create a schema that precisely reflects the needs of the data being exported, ensuring compatibility with the import processes of the B2C Commerce platform. This structured approach to data representation helps maintain data integrity and facilitates easier integration with external systems.

While CSV is also a common file format for data handling, it lacks the detailed structural capabilities of XML, particularly for complex data sets. JSON is popular in web development for its lightweight data interchange format, but it is not typically the standard for B2C Commerce price book exports and imports. Therefore, focusing on XML as the file format aligns with the best practices for handling price book data in this environment.