Which file format is typically used for storing user information in LDAP?

The LDIF (LDAP Data Interchange Format) is the standard file format used for representing and exchanging directory information within an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) environment. This format is specifically designed to facilitate the import and export of data between LDAP directories. LDIF files contain records in a plain text format, utilizing a line-based structure, where each entry consists of a series of attribute-value pairs. This makes it convenient for both human readability and automated processing.

In contrast, JSON, XML, and CSV are not tailored specifically for LDAP usage. JSON and XML are more general-purpose data interchange formats that serve various applications, while CSV is primarily used for tabular data. Each of these formats has its own structures and use cases, but they do not provide the standardized means for storing and exchanging LDAP directory entries that LDIF does.