If you’ve ever worked with APIs, mobile apps, or web development, you’ve definitely seen JSON. It has quietly become the universal language of the web — powering everything from Instagram to weather apps to modern backend systems.
- But what exactly is JSON?
- Why is it so popular?
- And what did developers use before JSON even existed?
Let’s break it down in simple, human language.
What Is JSON?
JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation, but don’t get confused by the name — it works with almost every programming language.
At its core, JSON is a simple, clean way to represent data using:
- Key-value pairs
- Arrays
- Numbers & booleans
- Nested objects
A basic example:
{
"name": "Devendra Singh",
"age": 25,
"skills": ["JavaScript", "React", "Node.js"]
}
Readable. Clean. Nothing fancy. That's the beauty of JSON.
Where Is JSON Used?
Short answer: Everywhere.
Here are some places you interact with JSON every day (even if you don’t notice):
1. APIs
Almost all APIs return JSON today — whether it's Google Maps, GitHub, Stripe, or OpenAI.
2. Web Apps
React, Vue, Angular — all frontend frameworks consume JSON from backend servers.
3. Mobile Apps
- Your food-delivery app?
- Your bank app?
- Your social media app?
All send and receive JSON behind the scenes.
4. Databases
Databases like MongoDB actually store data in JSON-like structure.
5. IoT Devices
Smart home devices (lights, Alexa, sensors) use JSON to communicate.
In short:
If a system sends data over the internet, JSON is most likely involved.
Who Created JSON (and Why)?
JSON was created by Douglas Crockford in the early 2000s.
Before JSON existed, the internet mostly used XML for exchanging data.
But XML had some problems:
- Too verbose
- Harder to read
- Slower to parse
- Heavier in size
Crockford's idea was simple:
“What if machines communicate using a format humans can also read easily?”
That idea exploded — and JSON became the backbone of the modern web.
Before JSON: What Did Developers Use?
Here’s what was commonly used before JSON became the standard:
1. XML
The most popular format before JSON.
Example:
<person>
<name>Devendra</name>
<age>25</age>
<skills>
<skill>JavaScript</skill>
<skill>React</skill>
</skills>
</person>
It works… but it's heavy and harder to read.
2. CSV
Good for tables, terrible for complex data.
3. Custom Formats
Developers used to invent their own data formats.
This caused inconsistencies and required writing custom parsers.
JSON solved all of that.
JSON vs XML — A Simple Comparison (No Table Needed)
Here’s a clean, human-friendly comparison:
Readability:
JSON is easy to read. XML looks complicated due to opening/closing tags.
Size:
JSON is smaller and lighter. XML is bulky.
Parsing Speed:
JSON parsing is fast and built into JavaScript. XML parsing is slower and requires complex logic.
Data Types:
JSON supports booleans, numbers, arrays, objects.
XML stores almost everything as text.
Use Cases:
JSON = modern apps, APIs, JavaScript-heavy environments.
XML = legacy systems, enterprise documents.
Popularity:
Today, JSON is the clear winner. XML is still used but slowly fading.
Why Developers Love JSON
Developers prefer JSON because it is:
- Simple to read
- Easy to write
- Fast to parse
- Lightweight
- Works with almost every language
- Perfect for JavaScript (and the browser)
- Great for modern APIs
JSON reduced complexity and helped the modern web grow faster.
Try JSON for Yourself
If you want to format, view, or beautify JSON, try this tool:
👉 https://www.mywebutils.com/json-viewer
Just paste your JSON and explore it visually.
Final Thoughts
JSON isn’t just a data format — it’s a major reason why modern web development looks the way it does today.
It made APIs simpler, apps faster, and systems cleaner.
If you're a developer, learning JSON is not optional — it's essential.
Top comments (0)