Binary Property List
The binary plist is the compact binary form of Apple property lists, much smaller than XML plists, used for iOS/macOS runtime storage.
Purpose
To store plists compactly in binary at iOS/macOS runtime, reducing file size and load time.
Mechanism
A file header "bplist00" plus an object table (type markers and values), an offset table (file offset per object), and a trailer (root object index, offset widths). Object types: null/bool/int/real/date/data/string/array/dict.
Use cases
- iOS application resources
- macOS preference caches
- Xcode build products