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JSON Formatter

Format, validate, minify, and beautify JSON data with syntax highlighting.

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Advanced Tools

Mastering JSON: A Complete Guide

Learn everything you need to know about JSON formatting, validation, and best practices

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based data interchange format. Despite its name, JSON is language-independent and is used across many programming languages for data exchange.

Human-readable format
Language-independent
Web API standard

Why Format JSON?

Formatting JSON improves readability, makes debugging easier, and helps maintain consistency across your development team. Well-formatted JSON is essential for professional development.

Better readability
Easier debugging
Team consistency

JSON Data Types & Structure

Supported Data Types

  • • String: "Hello World"
  • • Number: 42, 3.14, -10
  • • Boolean: true, false
  • • null: null
  • • Object: {"key": "value"}
  • • Array: [1, 2, 3]

Structure Rules

  • • Keys must be strings in double quotes
  • • Values can be any valid JSON type
  • • Objects use curly braces {}
  • • Arrays use square brackets []
  • • No trailing commas allowed
  • • No comments allowed

JSON Best Practices

Naming Conventions

Use camelCase for keys, be consistent with naming patterns, and choose descriptive names for better readability.

Validation

Always validate JSON before processing. Use proper error handling and provide meaningful error messages.

Optimization

Minimize JSON size for production, use consistent formatting for development, and avoid deep nesting.

Common JSON Use Cases

Web Development

  • • REST API responses
  • • AJAX data exchange
  • • Configuration files
  • • Local storage data

Data Storage

  • • NoSQL databases
  • • Document storage
  • • Data serialization
  • • Import/export formats

Common JSON Errors & Solutions

Syntax Error: Unexpected token

Usually caused by missing quotes, commas, or brackets. Use a JSON validator to identify the exact location.

Trailing comma error

JSON doesn't allow trailing commas. Remove any commas after the last item in objects or arrays.

Invalid escape sequence

Use proper escape sequences for special characters: \", \\, \/, \b, \f, \n, \r, \t, \u

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between JSON and XML?

JSON is more lightweight, easier to read, and faster to parse than XML. JSON is also more widely supported in modern web development.

Can JSON contain comments?

No, standard JSON doesn't support comments. If you need documentation, consider using a separate schema file or JSON5 (an extended JSON format).

How do I handle large JSON files?

For large files, consider streaming JSON parsers, pagination for APIs, or breaking large files into smaller chunks.

Is JSON secure?

JSON itself is safe, but always validate and sanitize JSON data before processing. Never use eval() to parse JSON - use JSON.parse() instead.

What are the size limits for JSON?

JSON has no inherent size limit, but browsers and servers may impose limits. Keep JSON reasonably sized for better performance.

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