JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a lightweight data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. It is primarily used to transmit data between a server and a web application as an alternative to XML.
JSON represents data as key-value pairs, similar to how dictionaries or hash maps function in many programming languages. This format is language-independent, though it borrows conventions from JavaScript. It is widely used in web APIs and configurations because it’s simple, compact, and text-based, making it efficient for data transmission over networks.
JSON structures data in a straightforward manner, utilizing objects (enclosed in curly braces) and arrays (enclosed in square brackets). For instance, an object might look like this:
{
"name": "John",
"age": 30,
"isEmployed": true,
"skills": ["JavaScript", "Python", "C++"]
}This example shows a JSON object with several key-value pairs, including a string, a number, a boolean, and an array. The widespread adoption of JSON in web technologies highlights its importance in modern software development, enabling seamless data exchange and integration across diverse platforms and languages.