You have learned all the essentials about data serialization, and gained a better understanding of the XML aspects we saw in the previous chapters. We also spent some time understanding external identifiers, a central concept of data handling in general and module configurations in particular. XML data files were explained in detail. You learned about the several options available to set values on fields and also to perform actions, such as deleting records and calling model methods. CSV files and the data import/export features were also explained. These are valuable tools for Odoo's initial setup or for mass editing of data.
In the next chapter, we will explore the features provided by the ORM, and how they can be used to handle data.