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GlossaryProductsNew to AI

JSON

Also written: JavaScript Object Notation, JSON mode, JSONL, JSON Lines, Jsonc, JSON with Comments, JSON payload, Application/json

JSON is a text format for structured data exchange, human-readable and machine-parseable, used in APIs and configuration files.

In plain terms

JSON, which stands for JavaScript Object Notation, is a common way to organize and send data between computer programs. Think of it like a structured list or a set of labels and their values. It's used because it's easy for both people to read and for computers to process automatically.

For example, when you ask a chatbot a question, the chatbot's response might be sent back to your device using JSON. This format clearly separates the different parts of the answer, like the text of the response, any suggested follow-up questions, or other metadata, making it easy for your application to display the information correctly.

The expert version

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a text-based data interchange format adhering to a simple, human-readable structure of key-value pairs, arrays, and nested objects. Its syntax, derived from JavaScript object literal syntax, is widely adopted due to its simplicity and ease of parsing by machines. This makes it a de facto standard for web APIs, configuration files, and data serialization across diverse programming languages.

The format's lightweight nature and clear structure facilitate efficient data transfer and processing. Tradeoffs include its plain text nature, which can be less space-efficient than binary formats for very large datasets, and its lack of explicit schema enforcement by default, though schemas can be defined and validated separately.

Why it matters now

JSON is frequently used in AI development for data exchange and configuration. Recent mentions show its use in fixing data parsing errors in AI API documentation and in enterprise settings for managing AI configurations, highlighting its foundational role in building and deploying AI systems.

Where it shows up 10 items, newest first
How each company uses it
Google Gemini
Google Gemini's API Cookbook has addressed issues with malformed JSON, demonstrating the need for robust JSON handling in AI development.
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot uses JSON for enterprise managed settings, indicating its role in configuring and controlling AI behavior within organizations.
OpenAI ChatGPT
OpenAI's mention relates to a hoax involving a fake error message, indirectly pointing to the structured output formats AI models might produce.
Related terms

APIData SerializationData ExchangeWeb ServicesConfiguration FileText Format

Often confused with
XML
While also a data format, XML uses tags to define elements and attributes,
YAML
YAML is another human-readable data serialization standard, often used for
CSV
Comma-Separated Values is a simpler format for tabular data, but it lacks t
Origin

JSON was created by Douglas Crockford in 2001, inspired by JavaScript object literal syntax. It was designed as a lightweight, text-based format for data interchange. Source ↗

Try this about 5 minutes

You can see JSON in action by using a tool like Postman or your browser's developer console to make a request to a public API, such as a weather API. The response you receive will likely be in JSON format, showing you the structured data returned by the service.

Try it: Playbook entries that use thisPlaybook →

The Playbook: reusable how-tos, prompts, configs and tips pulled out of the news.

Questions people ask

What does JSON stand for?
JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation.
Is JSON a programming language?
No, JSON is not a programming language. It is a data format used to store and transport data.
Why is JSON so common in AI?
JSON is common because it's a simple, standardized way for AI models and applications to send and receive information, making integration easier.

First seen on Subvolts Nov 6, 2023. Updated Oct 12, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.