Python JSON

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Python JSON

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight format used to store and exchange data.

It is text-based, easy to read, and widely used in APIs, configuration files, and web applications.

Working with JSON in Python

Python includes a built-in module named json that allows you to easily read, write, and manipulate JSON data.

Importing the JSON Module

import json

Parsing JSON (JSON → Python)

When you receive data in JSON format, it is usually a string.

To convert this JSON string into a Python object, use the json.loads() method.

Example: Convert JSON String to Python Dictionary

import json json_data = '{ "product": "Laptop", "price": 55000, "brand": "Dell" }' python_obj = json.loads(json_data) print(python_obj["price"])

Output:

55000

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After parsing, the JSON data becomes a Python dictionary, which you can access using keys.

Converting Python to JSON (Python → JSON)

To convert a Python object into a JSON string, use the json.dumps() method.

Example: Convert Python Dictionary to JSON

import json product = { "product": "Mobile", "price": 18000, "brand": "Samsung" } json_string = json.dumps(product) print(json_string)

Output:

{"product": "Mobile", "price": 18000, "brand": "Samsung"}

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The output is a JSON-formatted string, ready to be stored or sent over a network.

Supported Python Data Types

The following Python data types can be converted into JSON:

    • dict

    • list

    • tuple

    • str

    • int

    • float

    • True

    • False

    • None

Example: Convert Multiple Python Types to JSON

import json print(json.dumps({"course": "Python", "level": "Beginner"})) print(json.dumps(["HTML", "CSS", "JavaScript"])) print(json.dumps(("Red", "Green", "Blue"))) print(json.dumps("Welcome")) print(json.dumps(99)) print(json.dumps(45.6)) print(json.dumps(True)) print(json.dumps(False)) print(json.dumps(None))

Output:

{"course": "Python", "level": "Beginner"}
["HTML", "CSS", "JavaScript"]
["Red", "Green", "Blue"]
"Welcome"
99
45.6
true
false
null

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Python to JSON Type Conversion Table

Python Type	JSON Type
dict	Object
list	Array
tuple	Array
str	String
int	Number
float	Number
True	true
False	false
None	null

Complex Python Object to JSON

Python dictionaries can contain nested data such as lists, tuples, and other dictionaries.

Example: Convert Complex Data Structure

import json data = { "student": "Amit", "age": 21, "is_graduated": False, "subjects": ("Maths", "Science", "English"), "address": None, "devices": [ {"type": "Laptop", "brand": "HP"}, {"type": "Phone", "brand": "OnePlus"} ] } print(json.dumps(data))

Output:

{"student": "Amit", "age": 21, "is_graduated": false, "subjects": ["Maths", "Science", "English"], "address": null, "devices": [{"type": "Laptop", "brand": "HP"}, {"type": "Phone", "brand": "OnePlus"}]}

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Formatting JSON Output

Raw JSON strings are difficult to read.

The json.dumps() method provides parameters to format the output.

Using Indentation

The indent parameter adds line breaks and indentation for better readability.

import json data = {"student": "Amit", "age": 21, "is_graduated": False} print(json.dumps(data, indent=4))

Output:

{
    "student": "Amit",
    "age": 21,
    "is_graduated": false
}

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Custom Separators

You can customize how keys and values are separated.

import json data = {"student": "Amit", "age": 21, "is_graduated": False} print(json.dumps(data, indent=4, separators=(" | ", " => ")))

Output:

{
    "student" => "Amit" |
    "age" => 21 |
    "is_graduated" => false
}

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Sorting JSON Keys

To display JSON keys in alphabetical order, use the sort_keys parameter.

import json data = {"student": "Amit", "age": 21, "is_graduated": False} print(json.dumps(data, indent=4, sort_keys=True))

Output:

{
    "age": 21,
    "is_graduated": false,
    "student": "Amit"
}

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