textjson

textjson is a data serialization format that represents JSON data as plain text. It aims to make JSON more human-readable and editable without the need for specialized tools. The core idea is to transform the structured nature of JSON into a more linear, prose-like representation.

Unlike standard JSON, which uses specific punctuation like curly braces, square brackets, and colons, textjson uses keywords and indentation to denote structure. For example, an object might be introduced with a keyword like "Object" or "Record," and its key-value pairs would be listed with keys followed by their values, often separated by a colon or an arrow. Arrays can be represented similarly, using keywords like "Array" or "List" and enumerating their elements.

The primary advantage of textjson is its improved readability for humans. It can be easier to scan, understand, and manually edit compared to dense JSON strings, especially for individuals who are not deeply familiar with JSON syntax. This can be beneficial in scenarios where configuration files or data logs need to be frequently reviewed or modified by non-programmers.

However, textjson is not a universally adopted standard like JSON. Its adoption is limited, and tooling support for parsing and generating textjson is less widespread. While it offers a human-friendly alternative, it may require custom parsing solutions or dedicated libraries depending on the programming environment. The trade-off for increased readability is a departure from the strict, machine-friendly syntax that makes JSON so prevalent in data exchange.