Which format is commonly used for data interchange via APIs?

Which format is commonly used for data interchange via APIs?

• A. XML
• B. CSV
• C. JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)
• D. HTML

Answer: (C)

JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a lightweight data interchange format that is widely used in APIs due to its simplicity and ease of use. Its structure is easy for both humans to comprehend and machines to parse and generate. JSON uses a key-value pair format, which allows for a clear representation of data structures, making it an ideal choice for web services where data needs to be sent and received rapidly and efficiently. JSON's compatibility with JavaScript makes it particularly favored in web applications since it can be easily integrated into front-end languages without requiring extensive transformations. Additionally, many programming languages offer built-in support for JSON parsing and serialization, further contributing to its popularity. While XML is another format used for data interchange, it is generally more verbose and can be more complex in structure, making it less desirable for lightweight applications. CSV is effective for tabular data representation but lacks the structured data capabilities that JSON offers, limiting its utility in API contexts. HTML, primarily used for structuring web pages, is not designed for data interchange and is not suitable for API data payloads. Overall, JSON's combination of lightweight format, ease of use, and language compatibility has established it as the dominant choice for data interchange in APIs.

JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a lightweight data interchange format that is widely used in APIs due to its simplicity and ease of use. Its structure is easy for both humans to comprehend and machines to parse and generate. JSON uses a key-value pair format, which allows for a clear representation of data structures, making it an ideal choice for web services where data needs to be sent and received rapidly and efficiently.

JSON's compatibility with JavaScript makes it particularly favored in web applications since it can be easily integrated into front-end languages without requiring extensive transformations. Additionally, many programming languages offer built-in support for JSON parsing and serialization, further contributing to its popularity.

While XML is another format used for data interchange, it is generally more verbose and can be more complex in structure, making it less desirable for lightweight applications. CSV is effective for tabular data representation but lacks the structured data capabilities that JSON offers, limiting its utility in API contexts. HTML, primarily used for structuring web pages, is not designed for data interchange and is not suitable for API data payloads.

Overall, JSON's combination of lightweight format, ease of use, and language compatibility has established it as the dominant choice for data interchange in APIs.