As the internet becomes more popular, the amount of data exchanged between different systems keeps growing. Early on, the format for this data transfer was crucial. Open standards, accessible to everyone, became the preferred choice. XML was initially popular due to its resemblance to HTML, but it was cumbersome.
Enter JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). If you’ve used an API recently, you’ve likely encountered JSON data. Although it was developed in the early 2000s, it gained standards in 2006 and became essential for web developers.
In this article, we’ll explore JSON basics, how it looks, and its use in web apps. We’ll also touch on serialized JSON formats like JST and JWT, along with other competing data formats.
What is the JSON Format?
JSON, short for JavaScript Object Notation, is a text-based format used to organize structured data. It’s based on JavaScript’s object syntax and is designed for easy reading and writing by humans. JSON is widely used for creating, storing, and exchanging data in a clear and understandable way.
JSON isn’t tied to a specific programming language, making it versatile and compatible with many modern languages. It’s commonly used for data exchange in web applications, where websites interact with servers to display and update information. Understanding JSON requires basic knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, as it’s closely related to these technologies.
While JSON shares similarities with JavaScript’s object syntax, it’s a separate data format that can be read and generated by various programming languages.
History of the JSON Format
The story of JSON goes back to the early 2000s when there was a need for a fast, plugin-free way for servers to talk to browsers in real time. This was a time when browser plugins like Flash or Java applets were commonly used but had limitations.
JSON wasn’t created by one person. It came about through the efforts of many individuals who saw the potential of using JavaScript’s object syntax for data exchange. One key figure in popularizing JSON was Douglas Crockford, who worked at Atari. He named it ‘JSON’ and spread the word about its usefulness.
Crockford didn’t claim to invent JSON but rather discovered its effectiveness. He credited others for using similar techniques before JSON had a name. His efforts, including creating the json.org domain in 2002, helped make JSON known to a wider audience.
By 2005, as web technology advanced, JSON became the go-to format for efficient data exchange due to its simplicity and compatibility with web development.
How does JSON syntax work?
JSON’s syntax closely resembles JavaScript object code. This similarity makes it simple for programs in JavaScript to switch to JSON format. Although JSON comes from JavaScript object notation, it’s a text-only subset of JavaScript syntax.
In JSON, data appears as name/value pairs separated by commas. Objects are enclosed in curly brackets and separated from names by colons. Arrays are in square brackets, with values separated by commas.
Example:
JSON
{
“Web Show”: [
{
“season”: “01”,
“language”: “english”,
“episode”: “third”,
“director”: “George R. R. Martin”
}
]
}
What Are the Types of JSON Format?
1. Array:
An array in JSON is a structured collection of values enclosed within square brackets `[ ]`. Each value in the array is separated by a comma. Arrays are used to group related items together under a single collective entity. They are particularly useful when dealing with data that can be indexed using sequential integers. JSON allows arrays to be indexed starting from either 0 or 1, depending on the programming context.
2. Boolean:
Boolean is a fundamental data type in JSON that can exist in one of two states: true or false. Boolean values do not require quotation marks in JSON syntax. For example, `{ “transparency”: false }` indicates that the transparency property is set to false, while `{ “green”: true }` signifies that the green property is set to true.
3. Null:
Null is a special value in JSON that represents the absence of any value. It is used to denote situations where no meaningful data is assigned to a particular key. In JSON, the null value is not enclosed in quotation marks. For instance, if a key has no assigned value, it would be represented as `{ “key”: null }`.
4. Number:
Numbers in JSON represent numeric values within the base 10 counting system. JSON supports various numeric formats, including integers, negative integers, simple floating-point numbers, and exponential notations. However, JSON does not support representations of numbers as strings or utilize octal or hexadecimal numbering systems. Additionally, JSON does not include special numeric values such as Infinity or NaN (Not a Number).
- Integer: Includes the digits 0 and positive or negative whole numbers from 1 to 9.
- Fraction: Represents decimal numbers with fractional parts, such as .5 or .8.
- Exponent: JSON allows numbers with exponential notation, denoted by the exponent sign followed by the exponent value (e+ e- E+ E-) to represent large or small numbers efficiently.
5. Object:
An object in JSON is a complex data type consisting of unordered or non-structured sets of data represented as name/value pairs. Objects are enclosed within curly braces `{ }` and can contain any number of name/value pairs, including zero or more. In JSON, keys within objects must be of the string data type and should be unique. Each name/value pair within an object is separated by a comma, and the key is followed by a colon.
6. String:
A string in JSON is a sequence of characters enclosed within double quotation marks `” “`. JSON strings follow specific rules for escaping characters, such as using \ to escape special characters like double quotes, backslashes, newlines, and tabs. Strings in JSON cannot be enclosed in single quotes (‘ ‘), as they are invalid syntax.
7. Whitespace:
Whitespace in JSON refers to spaces, tabs, newlines, or carriage returns added within the JSON structure for formatting and readability purposes. JSON parsers typically ignore whitespace when processing JSON data, meaning that the presence or absence of whitespace does not affect the functionality or validity of the JSON data. Whitespace can be added or removed as needed to improve code readability without altering the underlying data structure.
Conclusion
At last, JSON has transformed how data is exchanged in modern web development. Its lightweight, adaptable, and easy-to-read format has become crucial for web apps, APIs, and data-driven systems. Knowing JSON’s structure, advantages, and how to use it is vital for developers working in today’s digital world. As technology progresses, JSON remains a key tool for smooth and efficient data communication. It enables developers to create powerful and interoperable systems across various platforms and devices.