Data Formats

JSON

JSON is a simple data format that sticks to human readable conventions. It is simple and readable because it adheres to a strict specification for the format. It only allows for the following data structures:

Object (dictionary {})
Array (list [])
Narrow types of values (strings, numbers, bool, null, nested objects and arrays)

Trick

Highly recommend consulting the diagrams on the JSON standard website.

An object is an unordered collection of key value pairs, while an array is an ordered list of values.

Values can only be one of the following: strings (in double quotes ""), number, boolean (true, false), null, or an nested object or array.

An example json file with nested objects and arrays:

{"menu": {
  "id": "file",
  "value": "File",
  "popup": {
    "menuitem": [
      {"value": "New", "onclick": "CreateNewDoc()"},
      {"value": "Open", "onclick": "OpenDoc()"},
      {"value": "Close", "onclick": "CloseDoc()"}
    ]
  }
}}

JSON​

JSON