JSON

Definition

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format. It is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. It is based on a subset of the JavaScript Programming Language.

Why It Matters

JSON has become the de facto standard for transmitting data between web servers and web applications (especially for APIs). Its simplicity and readability have made it incredibly popular.

Contextual Example

An API that returns user data might send it in JSON format: `{ "name": "John Doe", "email": "john@example.com", "isActive": true }`

Common Misunderstandings

• Although it stands for JavaScript Object Notation, JSON is a language-independent data format. Libraries for parsing and generating JSON exist in almost all programming languages.
• JSON supports basic data types: strings, numbers, booleans, arrays, and objects.

Related Terms