What does JSON stand for in web development?

In web development, JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. This lightweight data interchange format is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. JSON is primarily used to transmit data between a server and a web application, serving as a common format in APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).

The acronym indicates that it is derived from JavaScript, where it was initially created as a way to serialize and transmit structured data. JSON structures data in a way that includes key-value pairs, making it suitable for representing complex data structures like objects and arrays. This ease of use and interoperability with many programming languages contributes to its popularity in web development, especially in web services and configurations.

While other choices present similar names, they do not accurately represent the formal definition or the widely accepted terminology associated with the format. JSON's widespread use in web technologies, especially for RESTful APIs, further solidifies its significance and relevance within the field.