Structured data interchange.
WHAT JSON IS
A text format for structured data, widely used by web services and configuration.
HOW IT MAPS TO PYTHON
Objects become dictionaries Arrays become lists Everything else maps naturally
WHAT THE LIBRARY DOES
Converts between JSON text and Python values, in both directions.
WHAT TO USE IT FOR
Reading configuration Talking to web services Storing structured data simply
WHAT TO BE CAREFUL WITH
Assuming a key exists Assuming a value's type Deeply nested structures
WHAT TO DO ABOUT MISSING KEYS
Access with a default, or validate the structure before using it.
WHAT TO VALIDATE
That the data has the shape you expect, before relying on it.
Particularly when it comes from outside.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Trust external JSON without checking Store JSON in a file and treat it as a database
THAT LAST POINT
Fine for configuration and small data. Not for anything concurrent or large.
WHAT TO USE FOR OUTPUT
The option that formats readably, when a human will read it.
