Vincent
Created: May 3, 2024
Updated: March 27, 2025
Concise Binary Object Representation (CBOR)—sometimes referred to by its full form by those asking "what is CBOR?"—is a data format that aims to provide the benefits of JSON but in a more compact and efficient binary form. Defined in RFC 8949, CBOR's design supports extremely small code sizes, small message sizes, and easy extensibility without version negotiation. This efficient encoding is a clear example of how the cbor format and cbor encoding improve data interchange compared to traditional textual formats.
CBOR Object Signing and Encryption (COSE) algorithms are used to generate passkeys. The type of algorithm is stored within the attestation-object of a passkey operation:
CBOR builds on the JSON data model, encompassing types such as numbers, strings, arrays, and maps, adding more like bytes for binary data not efficiently handled by JSON. For developers looking to cbor decode or convert cbor to json, here’s how CBOR refines data interchange:
Like JSON, CBOR allows for effective data interchange without rigid schema enforcement, facilitating flexible development and rapid evolution at both ends of a communication channel. This advantage is central when comparing cbor vs json, where the binary nature of CBOR leads to smaller payloads.
Unlike JSON, which requires encoding for binary data (typically in base64), CBOR embraces binary natively. This means that application/cbor can readily represent binary data like encryption keys or sensor readings without extra overhead, making it a solid choice when evaluating cbor format and encoding efficiencies.
CBOR's binary nature ensures data is not only more concise but also processed faster than textual formats, crucial for performance-critical applications like those in IoT.
As a stable Internet Standard, CBOR is designed to remain relevant and supportive of new technologies for decades. It supports extensibility through tags that allow for additional data types without altering the core specifications. Developers exploring cbor json and cbor vs json techniques will find that CBOR’s robust structure helps streamline integration in modern applications.
CBOR is a binary format that reduces the size and increases the speed of data interchange. When comparing cbor vs json, CBOR offers a more efficient mechanism for data exchange because it does not include the overhead of text-based formatting, making cbor encoding a preferred choice for performance-critical applications.
Yes, CBOR is based on the JSON data model and can represent all JSON data types, plus additional binary types. This compatibility facilitates cbor decode processes and even allows for easy cbor to json conversions when necessary.
Ben Gould
Head of Engineering
I’ve built hundreds of integrations in my time, including quite a few with identity providers and I’ve never been so impressed with a developer experience as I have been with Corbado.
3,000+ devs trust Corbado & make the Internet safer with passkeys. Got questions? We’ve written 150+ blog posts on passkeys.
Join Passkeys CommunityCBOR itself focuses on data representation. Security can be implemented on top of CBOR using COSE, which adds signing, encryption, and message authentication. This layered security model ensures that even as you benefit from the efficiency of the cbor encoding, robust security measures are in place.
Absolutely. CBOR's tagging system allows it to adapt to future requirements and incorporate new data types without disrupting existing implementations, making it a truly flexible cbor format for modern applications.
Implementing CBOR requires a CBOR parser and generator. Many programming languages have libraries available that support CBOR. Understanding the interplay between what is cbor and how it serves as a concise binary object representation can help in selecting the right tools for cbor encoding and integration into existing systems.
Table of Contents
Enjoyed this read?
🤝 Join our Passkeys Community
Share passkeys implementation tips and get support to free the world from passwords.
🚀 Subscribe to Substack
Get the latest news, strategies, and insights about passkeys sent straight to your inbox.