LESSON 37

Working with JSON in Python

Learn how to encode Python data as JSON, decode JSON text, and work with JSON files.

What Is JSON?

JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It is a lightweight text format commonly used to exchange structured data between applications and APIs.

Example JSON

{"name": "Ali", "score": 92, "active": true}

The `json` Module

Python includes the built-in json module, so no package installation is required.

Import JSON

import json

Python to JSON with `dumps()`

Use json.dumps() to convert a Python object into a JSON string.

Serialize data

import json

student = {"name": "Ali", "score": 92}
text = json.dumps(student, indent=2)
print(text)

JSON to Python with `loads()`

Use json.loads() when JSON data is already stored in a string.

Parse JSON

import json

text = '{"name": "Ali", "score": 92}'
data = json.loads(text)
print(data["name"])

Reading and Writing JSON Files

For files, use json.dump() to write data and json.load() to read it back.

JSON file example

import json

data = {"course": "Python", "lessons": 73}

with open("course.json", "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
    json.dump(data, file, indent=2)

with open("course.json", "r", encoding="utf-8") as file:
    loaded = json.load(file)

print(loaded["lessons"])

Practice

Create a dictionary containing a student's name, age and subjects. Convert it to JSON, then load the JSON string back into Python and print the student's name.

You've reached the end of this lesson.

Continue in the Practice Lab and experiment with JSON data.

Open Practice Lab