Difference between JSON and XML

Difference between JSON and XML

Hey guys! We come across JSON and XML many times while parsing data through Internet. 

So here I am to make you more aware when to use JSON and XML

In this post I am going to discuss the prime differences between JSON and XML

JSON

• JavaScript Object  Notation.
• It is used for data exchange over the internet which is human as well as machine readable.
• Web services and APIs make use of JSON while making data available to public.
• It is machine independent.
• Light weight. So uses less data via transmission over the internet.
• Can store only classical data types like numbers and text.
• Easier to parse and read.
• {} indicates JSON object and [] indicate JSON array.
• Used to transmit data without formatting using primitive data formats.

example:

{

      "employees": [

        {

          "name": "Erik Cyrus",

          "gender": "male"

        },

        {

          "name": "Anny Sun",

          "gender": "female"

        }

      ]

}

XML

• eXtensible Markup Language
• Makes use of tags. These tags are user-defined. Hence the language is extensible.
• Machine and human readable.
• Used to define data structures and in webservices.
• The tags are written within < > brackets.
• We can define our own tags i.e. <name>, <birthdate>.
• As it has starting and ending tags, it is slower than JSON while transmitting over the internet.
• No different notations for arrays
• It is better for sharing documents, because it allows datatypes like graphs, images, charts. 

example:

<employees>

      <employee>

        <name>Erik Cyrus</name>

        <gender>male</gender>

      </employee>

      <employee>

        <name>Anny Sun</name>

        <gender>female</gender>

      </employee>

</employees>

Hence both have their merits and demerits, it solely depends on the developer what to use what?

Hope you liked my article. Feel free to share your views.

Have a good day!