JSON Overview

What is JSON?

JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It is a lightweight text-based data-interchange format. It is language and platform independent. JSON is a lightweight alternative to XML. JSON was invented by Douglas Crockford.

Note: JSON is mainly used for storing and exchanging data. The file extension for JSON is .json and Internet Media type is application/json.

JSON example:

{"students":[ {"firstName":"Sandy", "lastName":"Sethi"}, {"firstName":"Roxy", "lastName":"Malik"}, {"firstName":"Sunil", "lastName":"Antil"} ]}

XML example:

< students> < student> <firstName>Sandy</firstName> <lastName>Sethi</lastName> </ student> < student> <firstName>Roxy</firstName> <lastName>Malik</lastName> </ student> < student> <firstName>Sunil</firstName> <lastName>Antil</lastName> </ student> </ students>

Difference between JSON and XML:

1. JSON doesn’t use end tag. XML uses end tag.
2. JSON can use arrays. XML can’t use arrays.
3. JSON need only a standard JavaScript function to parse. XML needs XML parser to parse.