Tag
JSON
JSON files: what the format allows, why parsers reject files that look fine, how to read and format them, and how JSON compares with YAML and XML.
8 posts
TOML vs YAML vs JSON for Configuration Files: How to Choose
Comparing TOML, YAML and JSON for config files: readability, comments, safety, nesting, tooling and the situations where each one is the best choice.
JSON vs XML: Which Data Format Should You Use?
JSON and XML both carry structured data, but they differ in size, readability, schema support and tooling. A practical comparison and when to choose each.
Comments in JSON: JSONC, JSON5 and JSON Lines Explained
Standard JSON has no comments. Learn why, and what JSONC, JSON5 and JSON Lines add, which tools accept them, and how to avoid portability problems.
How to Format and Pretty-Print JSON (and When Not To)
Format minified JSON into readable, indented text. Learn how pretty-printing works, the options you have, and the cases where changing whitespace matters.
JSON vs YAML: Differences, Syntax and Which to Choose
JSON and YAML both store structured data, but they suit different jobs. Compare syntax, comments, readability, safety and when to pick each.
How to Fix Invalid JSON: The 8 Most Common Errors
Fix "Unexpected token" and parse errors. The eight causes of invalid JSON, from trailing commas and single quotes to comments and unescaped characters.
How to Open a JSON File on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone
JSON files open in any text editor. Learn the easiest way to read, format and edit a .json file on every device, plus what to do when it will not open.
What Is a JSON File? Structure, Uses and How to Read One
A JSON file stores data as text using objects, arrays, strings, numbers, booleans and null. Learn what JSON is, where it is used, and how to read a .json file.