JSONPath

JSONPath is a query language for JSON data that enables extraction and filtering of data from JSON documents. It is inspired by XPath for XML and is widely used in data processing, configuration, and testing.

Syntax overview: It expresses paths with a root symbol $. Child access uses . or [key], while array access uses [index]. Wildcards * match any member, and the recursive descent operator .. searches through all levels. Ranges [start:end], and filters [?(@.field operator value)] can narrow results. Example: $.store.book[0].title.

Common queries include $.store.book[*].author to return all authors, $.store.book[?(@.price < 10)].title for titles of inexpensive books, $..price to collect all prices, and $.store.* to access all top-level store properties.

Implementation and usage: There is no single formal standard for JSONPath; multiple implementations exist across languages and platforms, with slight syntax differences. Notable libraries include Jayway JsonPath (Java), jsonpath-ng (Python), and jsonpath (JavaScript). Typical use cases involve extracting data from API responses, traversing configuration files, and test data generation.

Limitations and considerations: JSONPath can be computationally intensive for large documents, and certain features may be inconsistently supported across libraries. Results may be scalars, objects, or arrays, depending on the query. Consistent library choice and testing are advised when integrating JSONPath into a project.