Basic Data Types Supported by JSON

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data interchange format that supports a limited set of data types. Understanding these data types is essential for effectively working with JSON data structures. Below, we will explore the basic data types supported by JSON, along with detailed explanations and sample code for each type.

1. String

A string in JSON is a sequence of characters enclosed in double quotes " ". Strings can include letters, numbers, symbols, and whitespace. Special characters within strings must be escaped using a backslash (\).

Example of a String:

{
    "greeting": "Hello, World!"
}

2. Number

A number in JSON can be an integer or a floating-point value. JSON does not differentiate between different types of numbers; all numeric values are represented in a standard format without quotes.

Example of a Number:

{
    "age": 30,
    "height": 5.9
}

3. Boolean

JSON supports two boolean values: true and false. These values are used to represent truth values and are written in lowercase without quotes.

Example of Boolean Values:

{
    "isStudent": true,
    "isActive": false
}

4. Array

An array in JSON is an ordered list of values enclosed in square brackets []. The values in an array can be of any data type, including strings, numbers, objects, arrays, booleans, and null. Values in an array are separated by commas.

Example of an Array:

{
    "courses": ["Math", "Science", "History"]
}

5. Object

An object in JSON is an unordered collection of key-value pairs enclosed in curly braces {}. Each key is a string, and the value can be any valid JSON data type. Key-value pairs are separated by commas.

Example of an Object:

{
    "user": {
        "name": "John Doe",
        "age": 30,
        "isStudent": true
    }
}

6. Null

The null value in JSON represents the absence of a value or a null reference. It is written as null (in lowercase) and does not require quotes.

Example of Null Value:

{
    "middleName": null
}

7. Summary of JSON Data Types

The basic data types supported by JSON include:

• String: Enclosed in double quotes.
• Number: Integer or floating-point value.
• Boolean: true or false.
• Array: Ordered list of values.
• Object: Unordered collection of key-value pairs.
• Null: Represents an absence of value.

8. Conclusion

Understanding the basic data types supported by JSON is essential for effectively creating and manipulating JSON data structures. By utilizing strings, numbers, booleans, arrays, objects, and null values, developers can represent complex data in a clear and organized manner, making JSON a powerful tool for data interchange in web applications and APIs.