ECMA404

ECMA-404, The JSON Data Interchange Syntax, is an ECMA International standard that defines JSON as a text-based data-interchange format. The specification describes the syntax and rules of JSON, the data types it supports, and the structures for objects and arrays. It is designed to be lightweight and easily consumable by both humans and machines.

JSON defines six value types: null, boolean, number, string, array, and object. Strings are enclosed in double quotes and may include escapes for special characters and Unicode sequences. Numbers follow a defined grammar and do not permit NaN or Infinity. Whitespace is allowed between tokens. An object is an unordered collection of key/value pairs with string keys, while an array is an ordered list of values. A JSON text must represent a single JSON value.

Encoding and usage: JSON text is a serialized data format that is commonly encoded in UTF-8 and, more generally, can be represented in Unicode value encodings. It is widely used for data interchange in web APIs, configuration files, and cross-language data transfer. The standard emphasizes simplicity and interoperability, and it intentionally minimizes features such as embedded code or comments to maintain portability across platforms.

Relationship and status: ECMA-404 is maintained by ECMA International. The standard is designed to be compatible with the JSON definitions used in other specifications, such as the IETF’s JSON standards. Numerous programming languages provide libraries that parse and generate JSON in accordance with ECMA-404, contributing to its broad adoption as a ubiquitous data interchange format.