Differences between JSON and XML
Differences between JSON and XML
In this tutorial, you will learn the differences between JSON and XML. Let’s first understand each term and then look at the differences between them.
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. It is primarily used for transmitting data between a server and web applications, or between different applications.
What is XML?
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a markup language that defines rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable. It is used to store and transport data across various systems and platforms.
JSON vs XML
| JSON | XML | |
|---|---|---|
| Syntax | JSON uses key-value pairs in a simpler syntax. | XML uses tags to define data, with a more complex syntax. |
| Readability | JSON is easier to read and write for humans. | XML can be more complex and harder to read due to nested tags. |
| Data Representation | JSON represents data as objects and arrays. | XML represents data as elements with start and end tags. |
| File Size | JSON typically has a smaller file size due to less verbose syntax. | XML files are usually larger due to the use of tags and attributes. |
| Parsing | JSON can be easily parsed by JavaScript and most programming languages. | XML requires an XML parser, which is more complex. |
| Support for Data Types | JSON supports data types like strings, numbers, booleans, arrays, and objects. | XML does not support explicit data types; all data is treated as text. |
| Metadata | JSON does not include metadata. | XML allows inclusion of metadata through attributes and custom tags. |
| Namespaces | JSON does not support namespaces. | XML supports namespaces, which are useful for avoiding naming conflicts in documents. |
