What is the difference between JSON and XML?

XML and JSON are the two most common formats for data exchange. Although both can be used to receive data from a web server, there are differences between the two. This time we will discuss the difference between JSON and XML.

XML (Extensible Markup Language) has been around for over 3 decades now and is a part of every web application. Be it a configuration file or a mapping document. XML makes data exchange easier by providing clear data structures and helps in dynamic configuration and variable loading!

JSON stores all its data in a map (key/value) format which is neat and easier to understand. Many people argue that JSON is slowly replacing XML because of several advantages such as the ease of data modeling or direct mapping to object domains, it is more predictable and easy to understand its structure. But there are also developers who have used both don't completely agree with this! Through this article, you will know the difference between JSON and XML in detail.

Difference between JSON and XML

For starters, JSON is just a data format whereas XML is a markup language. XML is used to store and transport data from one application to another over the Internet. JSON on the other hand is a lightweight data exchange format that is much easier for the computer to parse the data that is being sent.

The JSON format is self-described and comparatively much easier to read than XML-formatted documents. However, if a project requires document markup and metadata information, it is better to use XML.

What is JSON?

JSON is used to store information in an organized and accessible way. Its full form is JavaScript Object Notation. It offers a logically accessible human-readable data set. The JSON file extension is .json.

JSON History

The data format was first defined by Douglas Crockford in March 2001, in real-time. Server-to-browser communication protocol without the use of browser plugins such as Flash or Java applets. The official website was launched in 2002, and in 2005 Yahoo began offering its web services in JSON. It soon became the ECMA international standard in 2013. Finally, the latest JSON format standard was published in 2017.

JSON Features

• Easy to use – The JSON API offers a high-level facade, which helps you simplify use-cases.
• Performance – JSON is quite fast as it uses very little memory space, which is very suitable for large system or object graphics.
• Free tools – The JSON library is open source and free to use.
• No need to create mapping – Jackson API provides default mapping for many objects to be serialized.
• Clean JSON – Creates clean, compatible JSON output that is easy to read.
• No Dependencies – JSON libraries do not require other libraries to process.

Advantages of JSON

• Supports all browsers.
• Easy to understand.
• The syntax is very easy.
• Can be parsed in JavaScript using the eval() function
• Creation and manipulation is easy.
• All major JavaScript frameworks offer JSON support.
• Most backend technologies support JSON.
• Transmission and serialization of structured data is carried out using a network connection.

Disadvantages of JSON

• JSON offers poor extensibility because there is no namespace support.
• Limited development tools support.
• It provides support for formal grammar definitions.

What is XML?

XML is a markup language designed to store data. It's popular use or data transfer. Case sensitive to upper/lower case. XML offers you to define markup elements and generate customized markup languages. The basic unit in XML is known as an element. The XML file extension is .xml.

XML History

This is an SGML application. XML was compiled by a working group of eleven members who never met face-to-face. The design is built using a combination of weekly teleconferencing and email. The first draft was published between August and November 1996 at Sun Microsystems, and the first version of XML was released in February 1998.

XML Features

• XML tags are not predefined. You need to define your custom tag.
• XML is designed to carry data, not allow you to display that data.
• XML mark-up code is easy for humans to understand.
• The structured format is easy to read and write from the program.
• XML is an extensible markup language like HTML.

Advantages of XML

• With the help of XML, data exchange is done quickly between different platforms. So, this makes the document movable across systems and applications.
• XML separates data from HTML
• XML simplifies the platform change process.

Disadvantages of XML

• XML requires application processing.
• XML syntax can sometimes be confusing as it is similar to other alternatives.
• No intrinsic data type support.
• XML syntax redundant.
• It does not allow the user to create his tags.

JSON Code Vs XML Code

Example JSON code:

{

  "student": [

     {

        "id":"01",

        "name": "Tom",

        "Science major"

     },

     {

        "id":"02",

        "name": "Niki",

        "department": "IPS"

     }

  ]

}

Example XML code:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>

<root>

        <student>

                <id>01</id>

                <name>Tom</name>

                <department>IPA</department>

        </student>

        <student>

                <id>02</id>

                <name>Niki</name>

                <department>IPS</department>

        </student>

</root>

Summary

So that's the difference between JSON and XML. We can say that JSON and XML are ways to organize our data in a format that many programming languages ​​and APIs can understand.

The bottom line is if you have a simple data exchange that doesn't have to worry about semantics and validation, go for JSON. However, it's also important to keep learning XML and related technologies to do more than just exchange data and fast processing.

Hopefully, this article about What is the difference between JSON and XML?, gives you a little insight. Also, read an article about What is the difference between RAM and VRAM? that you may need to know. Thank you.