What term is used to describe a character that separates values, such as a comma or tab?

The term that describes a character used to separate values, such as a comma or tab, is "delimiter." In programming and data processing, delimiters play a crucial role in organizing and parsing data. For example, in a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file, commas serve as delimiters between different data fields, allowing software to correctly interpret and separate the distinct values for further processing.

Understanding delimiters is essential when working with data formats and structures, as they help ensure that data is accurately read and written, maintaining the integrity of the information. Other terms like "character set," "field separator," and "data marker" may refer to aspects of encoding or specific roles in data handling but do not specifically define the character used purely for separating values in the same context as a delimiter does.