Why should I use a human readable file format?

Question

Why should I use a human readable file format in preference to a binary one? Is there ever a situation when this isn\'t the case?

EDIT: I did have this as an explana

Answer 1

As an adjuct to this, there are differing levels of human readability, and all are enhanced by using a good editor or viewer with code coloring, folding or navigation.

For example,

• JSON is quite readable even in plaintext
• XML has the angle bracket tax but is usable when using a good editor
• INI is mostly human readable
• CSV can be readable, but is best when loaded into a spreadsheet.