*Preserves* is a data model, with associated serialization formats.

It supports *records* with user-defined *labels*, embedded
*references*, and the usual suite of atomic and compound data types,
including *binary* data as a distinct type from text strings. Its
*annotations* allow separation of data from metadata such as comments,
trace information, and provenance information.

Preserves departs from many other data languages in defining how to
*compare* two values. Comparison is based on the data model, not on
syntax or on data structures of any particular implementation
language.