JSON
Description
In the modern digital landscape, applications need to communicate constantly – whether a website is fetching product details from a server or a mobile app is pulling the latest news updates. JSON has become the de facto standard for these interactions. Unlike older formats that could be heavy and complex, JSON uses a simple text format of key–value pairs to describe data.
Although it derives from JavaScript, JSON is language-independent. This means it works seamlessly with almost every modern programming language, including Python, Ruby, Java and C#. Its simplicity makes it the preferred format for APIs (Application Programming Interface) and web services. In the context of content management, JSON is the fuel for headless CMS architectures. It allows structured content to be decoupled from its presentation layer and delivered raw to any device or channel, giving developers the flexibility to build dynamic digital experiences without layout constraints.
Example use cases
- APIs: Transmitting data between a server and a web application in real time.
- Headless delivery: Serving structured content from a CMS to mobile apps or kiosks.
- Configuration: Storing settings and data structures for software applications.
- Serialization: Converting complex data objects into text for storage.
- Development: Integrating with JavaScript frameworks such as React and Vue.js.
Key benefits
RWS perspective
At RWS, JSON is central to how we enable agile, omnichannel publishing. Through Tridion, our intelligent content platform, we allow organizations to expose their structured content as JSON via high-performance APIs.
This headless capability empowers developers to build front-end experiences using their preferred tools while ensuring that content creators maintain control over the message. By delivering content in a neutral, machine-readable JSON format, RWS ensures your information can travel anywhere – from global websites to IoT devices – without losing structure or meaning.