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JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is an open standard data exchange format based on a JavaScript syntax subset. JSON is text-based, lightweight, and generally considered easily readable/writeable.

Although closely connected to JavaScript, JSON is language-independent. Though independent, JSON uses conventions similar to other languages (e.g., C, C++, Java, Perl and Python), making JSON an ideal data-exchange language.

JSON characteristics include the following:

• Flexibility, allowing the programmer to define keys.
• Less overhead, as content is mostly data.
• Portable data.
• Non-proprietary.
• Common and convenient format for Web services.

Commonly utilized in Web application development, JSON may be used as a data format for any application where information is stored as text.

Source: JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)