# SparkPlug Packet structure

**URL:** https://community.hivemq.com/t/sparkplug-packet-structure/1748
**Category:** Sparkplug
**Created:** [January 9, 2023, 11:13am UTC](https://community.hivemq.com/t/sparkplug-packet-structure/1748 "2023-01-09T11:13:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![john4xty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@john4xty](https://community.hivemq.com/u/john4xty)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2023, 11:13am UTC](https://community.hivemq.com/t/sparkplug-packet-structure/1748/1 "2023-01-09T11:13:54Z")

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Sparkplug uses google photo buffs as the medium of communication. In a C application, how can MQTT payloads take full advantage of proto buffs when publishing to a topic? Traditionally, payloads are JSON strings that require parsing, however, ideally, photo buffs should be able to use proto-buff types.