If you are a technical gig, then must have come across the term “JSON”. Didn’t you? Are you aware of its usage and benefits related to implementation? If not, then this article is for you that will give you an insight into JSON.
An Insight to JSON!
JSON is an abbreviated form for JavaScript Object Notation. It is an open-form of standard text-based format that comprises lightweight. It is designed exclusively to enable the interchanging of human-readable forms of data.
Being a language-independent format of data, JSON has been known for supporting almost all types of libraries, languages, and frameworks. Initially, it was specified by the famous technical specialist Douglas Crockford around 2000.
With time, JSON was standardized as ECMA-404 in around 2013 and finally was published in 2017 as RCF 8259. It not only helps in the easy exchanging of data on the internet but also provides necessary support to various data structures that include arrays and objects. Thus, writing and reading data is easy from JSON.
Here, data representation takes place in the form of key-value pairs and the curly braces are recognized for holding objects. The key-value pairs are separated with the help of a comma. Square brackets are utilized for holding arrays where every value is separated by commas.
What are Some Remarkable Advantages of JSON?
JSON is a lightweight and easy-to-use format for data interchange when compared to other alternatives that can be easily used for API integration. Some of the highly remarkable benefits associated with the same include the following:
A highly compact style —
When compared to XML and other formats, it has been inferred that JSON follows a highly compact style. This particular style helps a lot in improving the readability of users. It can be easily utilized at the time of working with highly complex systems for making highly substantial enhancements.
Faster speed for processing —
As the parsing speed of JSON is much faster in comparison to that of XML, it is preferred over other alternatives. The library meant for DOM manipulation in XML demands some extra amount of memory to handle a large number of XML files. Whereas, JSON requires a low amount of data that results in the reduction of the cost finally increasing the parsing speed.
Easy-to-read structure —
The structure of JSON is easy to read and straightforward in terms of understanding. Whatever programming language you are trying to use, mapping of domain objects will remain no more a constraint.
Use of highly structured data —
The map data structure is used in JSON which facilitates a highly predictive and easy-to-understand model. The pairs of key-value contribute to limiting the tasks.
These are some highly remarkable benefits associated with the use of JSON that makes it highly preferable over others.
What do Keys and Values Refer to?
Both keys and values make up vital parts of JSON. Altogether they help in making a pair that helps in easy programming. Below is a detailed description of these terms for further clarification:
- Key — A key refers to a string enclosed in quotation marks
- Value — Value may be a string, number, array, Boolean expression, or object
- Key and value pair — The key and value pair follows a specific syntax. The key is followed by a colon and then a value. Both keys and values are separated by a comma.
There are various types of values used in JSON. Some of the most common ones include the following:
- Array — It refers to an associated array of values
- Boolean — It refers to either true or false
- Number — It is an integer
- Object — It is an associative array of key and value pairs
- String — The unique combination of text characters results in the formation of a word
What are Some Vital Reasons for Using JSON?
In JSON, data is stored inside files that conclude with a .json extension. Being simple and easy to understand by human beings, these files can be easily opened and gone through. The wider interoperability of JSON enables the renaming of files in the form of plain text. Also, they are easy to send through the World Wide Web.
During the 2000s, the interactivity on the web slowly began transforming. During that time, the browser served to be a dumb client for displaying information. The server was responsible for all the hard work regarding the preparation of the content that was supposed to get displayed.
The moment any user clicked on the link or a button on the browser, a request is used to go towards the server. Finally, the server prepared the information according to the need. The browser used to render HTML as a new form of page.
Overall, this pattern was sluggish and overall a bit difficult to operate. Hence, it became mandatory for the browser to re-render every stuff available on the page against minimalistic changes.
As reloading of full-page was overall costly, web experts started looking for some new forms of technologies that helped in improving the overall user experience. In the meantime, the capability of making online requests in the background got introduced in Internet Explorer 5.
Such a great innovation proved to be inclusive of a viable approach related to the loading of data for display. Simply clicking on the refresh button would help in triggering an online request that would otherwise load in the background. Once the contents get loaded properly, manipulation of data followed by saving and displaying of the same on the page using JavaScript remained no more a constraint.
What are Some Remarkable Situations of Using JSON?
This is a very common question that hovers in the minds of many. JSON serves to be among the smartest choices at the time of writing a software program that will communicate with a browser or mobile application.
Using a format similar to that of XML has now become outdated. It will serve to be a red flag to both front-end and mobile-based talent. At the time of using a server-to-server form of communication, it will be a good idea to utilize a serialization framework. Going with Apache based package will be a great idea.
Overall, JSON serves as a ubiquitous format for sending data between web servers, mobile applications, and browsers. Being simple in terms of design and flexibility, it is much easy to read and understand. Also, it is much easier terms of manipulation in any programming language.
JSON comprises two vital parts that include parser and utilities. Below is a short description of these two important parts of JSON.
What is JSON Parser all about?
The JSON parser refers to a specific part of the code of the application that helps in the easy transformation of the data stored in the form of an application. JavaScript is inclusive of a native parser which is none other than in this format:
JSON.parse() method
In the case of strongly typed languages like Elm and Scala, a little bit of hard work is required with JSON. The widespread adoption of JSON refers to certain libraries along with utilities that help the users to go through the hardest parts. Accessing the code library will help you to come across the right type of coding used for parsing, generation, and manipulation of JSON in certain languages like:
- Python
- COBOL
- C#
What do JSON Utilities Refer to?
What do utilities refer to in JSON? They will help in easy manipulation and examination of JSON encoded data without the need of writing the code. It is possible to cut, copy and paste the JSON code into some of these browser-based tools that will help in a better understanding of JSON. Also, it will let for easy analysis.
Some of the most commonly used utilities in JSON include the following:
- JSON Formatter — It will help in easy formatting and validating arbitrary JSON code
- JSON Viewer — It will be of great assistance in the creation of an interactive tree that will help in easy understanding of the structure of JSON code
- JSON Beautifier — It will let in the easy beautifying of the JSON code through syntax colouring and like
- JSON Converter — Enables quick moving of data from JSON format to some other form
Now, it is high time to come across some limitations that are associated with JSON.
What are Some Limitations Associated with JSON?
Along with lots of benefits associated with JSON, it is inclusive of certain limitations. Those limitations have been mentioned in a nutshell:
- It does not facilitate error handling in the case of JSON calls
- If used with untrusted browsers, then it may be at risk of getting hacked
- It is important to remain aware of the threats associated with JSON for ensuring a high level of security
- Comprises of a limited number of supported tools that can be used only during JSON program development
- Lack of comments that make it difficult to understand the code sometime
- As it lacks the date data type, developers need to look for an alternative
It is expected that all these limitations will be addressed in the future. Software developers are constantly carrying out their research work to make JSON universally available to all.