What does the acronym JSON stand for?

The acronym JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. This reflects its origin as a syntax developed for data interchange that is easy for humans to read and write, while also being easy for machines to parse and generate. JSON is derived from JavaScript, which means it leverages its data format conventions, essentially making it a lightweight format for structured data.

JSON is widely used in web applications to transmit data between a server and a client. This enables developers to easily integrate with APIs, particularly since most programming languages, including those beyond JavaScript, have libraries that support JSON, allowing functionality across various contexts. The simplicity and versatility of JSON make it a preferred choice for data interchange in many systems and technologies.