  The CSVM format is derived from CSV format and allows the storage of tabular
like data with a limited but extensible amount of metadata. This approach could
help computer scientists because all information needed to uses subsequently
the data is included in the CSVM file and is particularly well suited for
handling RAW data in a lot of scientific fields and to be used as a canonical
format. The use of CSVM has shown that it greatly facilitates: the data
management independently of using databases; the data exchange; the integration
of RAW data in dataflows or calculation pipes; the search for best practices in
RAW data management. The efficiency of this format is closely related to its
plasticity: a generic frame is given for all kind of data and the CSVM parsers
don't make any interpretation of data types. This task is done by the
application layer, so it is possible to use same format and same parser codes
for a lot of purposes. In this document some implementation of CSVM format for
ten years and in different laboratories are presented. Some programming
examples are also shown: a Python toolkit for using the format, manipulating
and querying is available. A first specification of this format (CSVM-1) is now
defined, as well as some derivatives such as CSVM dictionaries used for data
interchange. CSVM is an Open Format and could be used as a support for Open
Data and long term conservation of RAW or unpublished data.
