JSON (short for JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based format for storing and exchanging data — it’s the language apps use to talk to each other.
It looks like JavaScript object syntax (hence the name), but it’s not limited to JavaScript. JSON is language-agnostic, meaning Python, Java, Go, Ruby — any system — can read and write it. It became popular in the early 2000s as a simpler, cleaner alternative to XML. Since then, it’s become the standard format for APIs and web services.
Why is JSON so popular?
Because it’s simple and efficient. When a mobile app or website needs to fetch data (like user info or weather updates), it often sends a request to a server, which replies with a JSON object. You can then use that data right away. It’s fast to parse, human-readable, and easy to generate.
You’ve probably seen JSON without realizing it — if you’ve looked at browser dev tools or API docs, you’ve likely scrolled through lines like:
{ “name”: “Camila”, “email”: “cami@example.com” }
Want to learn the structure? Here’s a solid guide: Introducing JSON – MDN Web Docs
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