Which Data Guard Mode Should I Use?

This guide helps you choose the right Data Guard mode before you start clicking through the workflow.

The short answer

Use:

Struct-only when your CSV should match an Unreal row struct directly
JSON Schema when you want to validate against a schema JSON file first, before choosing a struct for import
Struct + JSON Rules when you want Unreal struct validation plus extra JSON-based rule overrides

Mode-by-mode guide

Struct-only

Choose Struct-only when:

you already know which Unreal row struct the CSV should match
you want the shortest normal path from validation to import
your rules come directly from the struct fields and types

Typical first packaged example:

struct: Example Item Stats Row
CSV: Plugins/DataGuard/Resources/Examples/Example_ItemStats_Valid.csv

JSON Schema

Choose JSON Schema when:

your validation rules are defined in a schema JSON file
you want to validate the CSV shape before choosing a struct for import
your workflow starts from a schema rather than from an Unreal struct

Typical first packaged example:

CSV: Plugins/DataGuard/Resources/Examples/Example_ItemStats_Valid.csv
schema JSON: Plugins/DataGuard/Resources/Examples/Example_ItemStats_Schema.json

Struct + JSON Rules

Choose Struct + JSON Rules when:

you want Unreal struct compatibility plus extra JSON rule control
you already know the base struct, but want rule overrides or additions from JSON
you need more than the struct alone, but do not want a schema-first workflow

Typical first packaged example:

struct: Example Item Stats Row
CSV: Plugins/DataGuard/Resources/Examples/Example_ItemStats_Valid.csv
overlay JSON: Plugins/DataGuard/Resources/Examples/Example_ItemStats_Overlay.json

Recommended first-time path

If you are still unsure, use this order:

Struct-only
JSON Schema
Struct + JSON Rules