> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.barchart.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.barchart.com/architecture/protobuf.md). # Protobuf The Openfeed service is built on top of Google Protocol Buffers (Protobuf). Protobufs are a language-neutral, platform-neutral, extensible mechanism for serializing structured data. Compacting robust data into a serialized binary format (machine language) allows for faster data transmission. This is important since handling a highly active feed from a global market exchange can send terabytesof data each trading day. It is a highly efficient, binary format that is smaller and faster than alternatives like XML and JSON, making it ideal for high-performance communication --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://developer.barchart.com/architecture/protobuf.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.