JSON
JavaScript Object Notation
A lightweight data format for storing and exchanging data. Human-readable and easy to parse, JSON is the standard format for API requests and responses.
In-Depth Explanation
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a text-based data format that's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. It's the dominant format for web APIs.
JSON data types:
- String: "hello world"
- Number: 42, 3.14
- Boolean: true, false
- Null: null
- Array: ["a", "b", "c"]
- Object: {"key": "value"}
JSON structure:
- Key-value pairs
- Nested objects and arrays
- No comments allowed
- Strict syntax (double quotes, commas)
JSON advantages:
- Human readable
- Language independent
- Lightweight
- Wide support
- Easy to parse
JSON limitations:
- No date type (use strings)
- No comments
- Less efficient than binary formats
- No schema enforcement (without JSON Schema)
Business Context
JSON is everywhere in modern systems. APIs, configuration files, data storage - understanding JSON is fundamental for integration work.
How Clever Ops Uses This
We work with JSON daily in Australian business integrations - parsing API responses, transforming data between systems, and configuring automation.
Example Use Case
"Receiving customer data from a CRM API as JSON, transforming it, and sending to marketing automation - all data flows in JSON format."