JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a lightweight, text based format used to represent structured data. It is easy for humans to read and write and simple for machines to parse. JSON consists of objects, arrays, numbers, booleans, and strings, making it a flexible format for APIs and configuration files. Most modern APIs use JSON as their primary data exchange format. Because JSON maps closely to objects in many programming languages, developers can work with it naturally. JSON is widely supported across browsers, servers, and databases.
how it works
A JSON document follows a strict syntax with quotation marks around keys and strings. Parsers convert JSON text into in memory data structures that programs can manipulate. When calling an endpoint, a client often sends and receives JSON payloads that describe input or output data. JSON avoids type declarations, making it concise but requiring validation in backend systems. Its simplicity has contributed to its popularity, replacing older formats like XML in many applications. Even configuration files and logging systems increasingly rely on JSON for interoperability.