What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data interchange format that's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate.
Why JSON Matters
JSON has become the de facto standard for data exchange on the web:
- APIs: Most REST APIs return JSON responses
- Configuration: Many apps use JSON for config files
- Storage: NoSQL databases like MongoDB store JSON documents
- Data Transfer: Frontend/backend communication
JSON vs Other Formats
| Format | Human Readable | Size | Parsing Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| JSON | Yes | Small | Fast |
| XML | Yes | Large | Slow |
| CSV | Limited | Smallest | Fast |
| YAML | Yes | Small | Medium |
A Simple JSON Example
Exercise: Explore JSON
Parse and explore this JSON data:
Key Takeaways
- JSON is a text-based data format
- It's language-independent but uses JavaScript-like syntax
- JSON is used everywhere: APIs, configs, databases
- Easy to read, write, and parse
In the next lesson, we'll dive into JSON syntax and data types.