JSON processing in Python

External

• https://realpython.com/python-json/

Internal

• Python Code Examples
• Python Module json

Serialization

Serialization into a string:

import json
d = ... # data structure
s = json.dumps(d, indent=4, sort_keys=True)

There are situations when instances in the data structure are not serializable:

TypeError: Object of type datetime is not JSON serializable

In this case, use:

s = json.dumps(d, indent=4, sort_keys=True, default=str)

Serialization into a file:

with open("data_file.json", "w") as f:
    json.dump(data, f)

Deserialization

import json

data = json.loads('{"color":"blue", "size":10, "details":{"shape":{"texture":"bumpy", "orientation":"vertical"}}}')
print(data.get("color")) # displays blue
print(data["color"]) # displays blue
print(data.get("size")) # displays 10
print(data["details"]["shape"]["texture"]) # displays bumpy

From file:

import json
from pathlib import Path

d = json.load(Path('somefile.json'))

Safely Navigate a Complex Data Structure

Suggestions on how to safely recursively navigate a complex data structure:

Safely Navigate a Complex Data Structure