Working with the JSON data format
Our world of web applications and fast, interactive mobile devices calls for the free exchange of data in easily accessible forms. Standard formats promote interoperability and minimize development time. Open formats also make it easy to import data into other applications. Over the years, several popular alternatives have emerged. CSV, XML, and YAML are well known and easy to adapt to different applications (see the box entitled "Comparing Formats" and Listings 1-3 for examples). One format that is used extensively for web applications, mobile applications, and even some conventional desktop tools is JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) [1].
JSON is wildly popular as a tool for passing information between web apps – for instance, it is currently the de facto standard for REST services – yet for many users, the details of JSON format are shrouded in mystery. This article takes a close look at JSON and some of the tools available for reading, manipulating, and importing JSON data.
Understanding JSON
The notation of JSON is analogous to objects, records, or dictionaries – depending on what that structure is currently called in your favorite programming language. Even though JSON format is based on JavaScript, parsers exist in almost all programming languages. In addition to Awk and C/C++, you can integrate JSON with Fortran, Go, Lisp, Lua, Python, and Visual Basic.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Wayland 1.24 Released with Fixes and New Features
Wayland continues to move forward, while X11 slowly vanishes into the shadows, and the latest release includes plenty of improvements.
-
Bugs Found in sudo
Two critical flaws allow users to gain access to root privileges.
-
Fedora Continues 32-Bit Support
In a move that should come as a relief to some portions of the Linux community, Fedora will continue supporting 32-bit architecture.
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
LibreOffice Tested as Possible Office 365 Alternative
Another major organization has decided to test the possibility of migrating from Microsoft's Office 365 to LibreOffice.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.