JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)

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Discussion

JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) provides a lightweight, text-based syntax for structured data interchange. JSON represents data using objects, arrays, names, values, strings, numbers, booleans, and null values.

JSON supports data exchange across programming languages, APIs, message formats, configuration files, event payloads, reports, and implementation artifacts.

JSON differs from schema. JSON provides a data-interchange syntax. A schema defines structure, permitted values, relationships, and constraints for a defined representation context. JSON Schema, when used, constrains JSON documents.

JSON also differs from semantics. JSON syntax alone does not establish domain meaning. JSON expresses semantic content when names, values, structures, schemas, vocabularies, rules, and traceability preserve defined domain meaning.

Definition

lightweight, text-based syntax for structured data interchange using objects, arrays, names, and values

Source

ECMA-404 The JSON Data Interchange Syntax; specialized for use in the FX Demo Reference Architecture.

Note

JSON is a syntax, not a semantic model. A JSON document gains domain meaning from its schema, vocabulary, field definitions, type system, rules, API contract, report model, or other authoritative semantic source.

Example

A JSON trade message represents selected FX trade information as name-value pairs:

{ "tradeIdentifier": "Trade-123", "currencyPair": "EUR/USD", "notionalAmount": 1000000, "tradeDate": "2026-07-07", "settlementDate": "2026-07-09" }

The JSON syntax represents the data. The associated schema, type system, conceptual model, and business rules define the meaning of tradeIdentifier, currencyPair, notionalAmount, tradeDate, and settlementDate.

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