What is JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)?
Turkish: JSON
JSON is a lightweight, human-readable data exchange format and the most widely used format for transferring data in APIs.
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a text-based format for representing data with key-value pairs, arrays, strings, numbers, booleans, and null. Because it is readable and compact, it is common in API responses, configuration files, and structured logs.
A JSON document starts with an object ({}) or an array ([]). Field names are written in double quotes, while business meanings such as dates, currencies, and enums must be defined by the surrounding contract. JSON does not support comments and is not a direct fit for binary files; those cases usually need Base64, file links, or another protocol.
Practical Uses
- REST API request and response bodies
- Webhook payloads and integration messages
- Application settings, feature flags, and translation files
- Structured data inside log lines
JSON may look schema-free, but production systems should still validate expected fields, data types, and required values. XML is the traditional comparison point, REST API explains the HTTP exchange pattern, and API defines the wider contract around the data.