Which feature distinguishes Protocol Buffers from XML?

Protocol Buffers, developed by Google, are designed to be smaller and faster compared to XML. This efficiency stems from their binary format, which reduces the amount of data transmitted and minimizes parsing time. Unlike XML, which is text-based and often results in larger payloads due to its verbose nature, Protocol Buffers compactly serialize structured data into a more efficient binary format. This leads to significant performance improvements, especially in applications where data size and speed are critical factors.

The focus on smaller message sizes and faster serialization/ deserialization makes Protocol Buffers particularly suitable for scenarios with high-volume data exchange, such as in microservices architectures and APIs. These advantages highlight why Protocol Buffers are preferred in many performance-sensitive environments. Other choices do not capture these essential characteristics that set Protocol Buffers apart from XML.