JSON Vs XML - W3Schools

Tutorials Exercises Certificates Services Menu Search field ×  Log in Sign Up ★ +1 My W3Schools Get Certified Spaces For Teachers Plus Get Certified Spaces For Teachers Plus My W3Schools Tutorials Exercises Certificates Services Spaces Get Certified Plus Academy Logout     ×

Tutorials

Tutorials filter input ×

HTML and CSS

Learn HTML Tutorial Reference Learn CSS Tutorial Reference Learn RWD Tutorial Learn Bootstrap Overview Learn W3.CSS Tutorial Reference Learn Sass Tutorial Reference Learn Colors Tutorial Reference Learn Icons Tutorial Reference Learn SVG Tutorial Reference Learn Canvas Tutorial Reference Learn Graphics Tutorial Learn Character Sets Reference Learn How To Tutorial

Data Analytics

Learn AI Tutorial Learn Generative AI Tutorial Learn ChatGPT-3.5 Tutorial Learn ChatGPT-4 Tutorial Learn Google Bard Tutorial Learn Machine Learning Tutorial Learn DSA Tutorial Learn Data Science Tutorial Learn NumPy Tutorial Learn Pandas Tutorial Learn SciPy Tutorial Learn Matplotlib Tutorial Learn Statistics Tutorial Learn Excel Tutorial Learn Google Sheets Tutorial

Web Building

Create a Website HOT! Create a Server NEW Where To Start Web Templates Web Statistics Web Certificates Web Development Code Editor Test Your Typing Speed Play a Code Game Cyber Security Accessibility Join our Newsletter

JavaScript

Learn JavaScript Tutorial Reference Learn React Tutorial Learn jQuery Tutorial Reference Learn Vue Tutorial Reference Learn AngularJS Tutorial Reference Learn JSON Tutorial Reference Learn AJAX Tutorial Learn AppML Tutorial Reference Learn W3.JS Tutorial Reference

Web Building

Create a Website HOT! Create a Server NEW Where To Start Web Templates Web Statistics Web Certificates Web Development Code Editor Test Your Typing Speed Play a Code Game Cyber Security Accessibility Join our Newsletter

Backend

Learn Python Tutorial Reference Learn SQL Tutorial Reference Learn MySQL Tutorial Reference Learn PHP Tutorial Reference Learn Java Tutorial Reference Learn C Tutorial Reference Learn C++ Tutorial Reference Learn C# Tutorial Learn R Tutorial Learn Kotlin Tutorial Learn Go Tutorial Learn Django Tutorial Reference Learn PostgreSQL Tutorial Learn TypeScript Tutorial Learn ASP Tutorial Reference Learn Node.js Tutorial Reference Learn Raspberry Pi Tutorial Learn Git Tutorial Learn MongoDB Tutorial Learn AWS Cloud Tutorial Learn XML Tutorial Reference

Data Analytics

Learn AI Tutorial Learn Generative AI Tutorial Learn ChatGPT-3.5 Tutorial Learn ChatGPT-4 Tutorial Learn Google Bard Tutorial Learn Machine Learning Tutorial Learn DSA Tutorial Learn Data Science Tutorial Learn NumPy Tutorial Learn Pandas Tutorial Learn SciPy Tutorial Learn Matplotlib Tutorial Learn Statistics Tutorial Learn Excel Tutorial Learn Google Sheets Tutorial

Web Building

Create a Website HOT! Create a Server NEW Where To Start Web Templates Web Statistics Web Certificates Web Development Code Editor Test Your Typing Speed Play a Code Game Cyber Security Accessibility Join our Newsletter ×

Exercises

Excercises filter input ×

HTML and CSS

HTML Exercise Quiz CSS Exercise Quiz Bootstrap 3 Exercise Quiz Bootstrap 4 Exercise Quiz Bootstrap 5 Exercise Quiz

Data Analytics

DSA Exercise Quiz NumPy Exercise Quiz Pandas Exercise Quiz SciPy Exercise Quiz Excel Exercise What is an Exercise? What is a Quiz?

JavaScript

JavaScript Exercise Quiz React Exercise Quiz jQuery Exercise Quiz Vue Exercise Quiz

Backend

Python Exercise Quiz SQL Exercise Quiz MySQL Exercise Quiz PHP Exercise Quiz Java Exercise Quiz C Exercise Quiz C++ Exercise Quiz C# Exercise Quiz R Exercise Quiz Kotlin Exercise Quiz Django Exercise Quiz PostgreSQL Exercise Quiz TypeScript Exercise Quiz Git Exercise Quiz Go Exercise MongoDB Exercise AWS Cloud Exercise Quiz

Data Analytics

DSA Exercise Quiz NumPy Exercise Quiz Pandas Exercise Quiz SciPy Exercise Quiz Excel Exercise What is an Exercise? What is a Quiz? ×

Certificates

Filter field for certifications ×

HTML and CSS

HTML Certificate Course CSS Certificate Course Bootstrap 3 Certificate Course Bootstrap 4 Certificate Course Bootstrap 5 Certificate

Data Analytics

DSA Certificate Data Analytics Course NumPy Certificate Course Pandas Certificate Course Excel Certificate Social Media Course What is a Certificate?

Programs

Full Access Best Value! Front End Certificate Course Web Dev. Certificate Course Web App Certificate Course Web Design Certificate Course

JavaScript

JavaScript Certificate Course React Certificate Course jQuery Certificate Course Vue Certificate

Programs

Full Access Best Value! Front End Certificate Course Web Dev. Certificate Course Web App Certificate Course Web Design Certificate Course

Programs

Full Access Best Value! Front End Certificate Course Web Dev. Certificate Course Web App Certificate Course Web Design Certificate Course

Backend

Python Certificate Course SQL Certificate Course MySQL Certificate PHP Certificate Course Java Certificate Course C Certificate C++ Certificate Course C# Certificate Course R Course Django Certificate NodeJS Certificate TypeScript Certificate Course XML Certificate Course Cyber Security Certificate Course Accessibility Certificate Course Python Apps on AWS Course AWS Training Courses

Data Analytics

DSA Exam Data Analytics Course NumPy Course Pandas Course Excel Certificate Social Media Course What is a Certificate? ×

All Our Services

Services filter input ×

W3Schools offers a wide range of services and products for beginners and professionals, helping millions of people everyday to learn and master new skills.

Free Tutorials

Enjoy our free tutorials like millions of other internet users since 1999

References

Explore our selection of references covering all popular coding languages

Create a Website

Create your own website with W3Schools Spaces - no setup required

Exercises

Test your skills with different exercises

Quizzes

Test yourself with multiple choice questions

Get Certified

Document your knowledge

Log in / Sign Up

Create a free W3Schools Account to Improve Your Learning Experience

My Learning

Track your learning progress at W3Schools and collect rewards

Upgrade

Become a PLUS user and unlock powerful features (ad-free, hosting, support,..)

Where To Start

Not sure where you want to start? Follow our guided path

Code Editor (Try it)

With our online code editor, you can edit code and view the result in your browser

Videos

Learn the basics of HTML in a fun and engaging video tutorial

Templates

We have created a bunch of responsive website templates you can use - for free!

Web Hosting

Host your own website, and share it to the world with W3Schools Spaces

Create a Server

Create your own server using Python, PHP, React.js, Node.js, Java, C#, etc.

How To's

Large collection of code snippets for HTML, CSS and JavaScript

CSS Framework

Build fast and responsive sites using our free W3.CSS framework

Browser Statistics

Read long term trends of browser usage

Typing Speed

Test your typing speed

AWS Training

Learn Amazon Web Services

Color Picker

Use our color picker to find different RGB, HEX and HSL colors.

Code Game

W3Schools Coding Game! Help the lynx collect pine cones

Set Goal

Get personalized learning journey based on your current skills and goals

Newsletter

Join our newsletter and get access to exclusive content every month

For Teachers

Contact us about W3Schools Academy for educational institutions

For Businesses

Contact us about W3Schools Academy for your organization

Contact Us

About sales: sales@w3schools.com About errors: help@w3schools.com

    × ❮ HTML CSS JAVASCRIPT SQL PYTHON JAVA PHP HOW TO W3.CSS C C++ C# BOOTSTRAP REACT MYSQL JQUERY EXCEL XML DJANGO NUMPY PANDAS NODEJS R TYPESCRIPT ANGULAR GIT POSTGRESQL MONGODB ASP AI GO KOTLIN SASS VUE DSA GEN AI SCIPY AWS CYBERSECURITY DATA SCIENCE ❯

JS Tutorial

JS HOME JS Introduction JS Where To JS Output JS Statements JS Syntax JS Comments JS Variables JS Let JS Const JS Operators JS Arithmetic JS Assignment JS Data Types JS Functions JS Objects JS Object Properties JS Object Methods JS Object Display JS Object Constructors JS Events JS Strings JS String Methods JS String Search JS String Templates JS Numbers JS BigInt JS Number Methods JS Number Properties JS Arrays JS Array Methods JS Array Search JS Array Sort JS Array Iteration JS Array Const JS Dates JS Date Formats JS Date Get Methods JS Date Set Methods JS Math JS Random JS Booleans JS Comparisons JS If Else JS Switch JS Loop For JS Loop For In JS Loop For Of JS Loop While JS Break JS Iterables JS Sets JS Set Methods JS Maps JS Map Methods JS Typeof JS Type Conversion JS Destructuring JS Bitwise JS RegExp JS Precedence JS Errors JS Scope JS Hoisting JS Strict Mode JS this Keyword JS Arrow Function JS Classes JS Modules JS JSON JS Debugging JS Style Guide JS Best Practices JS Mistakes JS Performance JS Reserved Words

JS Versions

JS Versions JS 2009 (ES5) JS 2015 (ES6) JS 2016 JS 2017 JS 2018 JS 2019 JS 2020 JS 2021 JS 2022 JS 2023 JS 2024 JS IE / Edge JS History

JS Objects

Object Definitions Object Prototypes Object Methods Object Properties Object Get / Set Object Protection

JS Functions

Function Definitions Function Parameters Function Invocation Function Call Function Apply Function Bind Function Closures

JS Classes

Class Intro Class Inheritance Class Static

JS Async

JS Callbacks JS Asynchronous JS Promises JS Async/Await

JS HTML DOM

DOM Intro DOM Methods DOM Document DOM Elements DOM HTML DOM Forms DOM CSS DOM Animations DOM Events DOM Event Listener DOM Navigation DOM Nodes DOM Collections DOM Node Lists

JS Browser BOM

JS Window JS Screen JS Location JS History JS Navigator JS Popup Alert JS Timing JS Cookies

JS Web APIs

Web API Intro Web Forms API Web History API Web Storage API Web Worker API Web Fetch API Web Geolocation API

JS AJAX

AJAX Intro AJAX XMLHttp AJAX Request AJAX Response AJAX XML File AJAX PHP AJAX ASP AJAX Database AJAX Applications AJAX Examples

JS JSON

JSON Intro JSON Syntax JSON vs XML JSON Data Types JSON Parse JSON Stringify JSON Objects JSON Arrays JSON Server JSON PHP JSON HTML JSON JSONP

JS vs jQuery

jQuery Selectors jQuery HTML jQuery CSS jQuery DOM

JS Graphics

JS Graphics JS Canvas JS Plotly JS Chart.js JS Google Chart JS D3.js

JS Examples

JS Examples JS HTML DOM JS HTML Input JS HTML Objects JS HTML Events JS Browser JS Editor JS Exercises JS Quiz JS Website JS Syllabus JS Interview Prep JS Bootcamp JS Certificate

JS References

JavaScript Objects HTML DOM Objects JSON vs XML ❮ Previous Next ❯

Both JSON and XML can be used to receive data from a web server.

The following JSON and XML examples both define an employees object, with an array of 3 employees:

JSON Example

{"employees":[ { "firstName":"John", "lastName":"Doe" }, { "firstName":"Anna", "lastName":"Smith" }, { "firstName":"Peter", "lastName":"Jones" } ]}

XML Example

<employees> <employee> <firstName>John</firstName> <lastName>Doe</lastName> </employee> <employee> <firstName>Anna</firstName> <lastName>Smith</lastName> </employee> <employee> <firstName>Peter</firstName> <lastName>Jones</lastName> </employee> </employees>

JSON is Like XML Because

• Both JSON and XML are "self describing" (human readable)
• Both JSON and XML are hierarchical (values within values)
• Both JSON and XML can be parsed and used by lots of programming languages
• Both JSON and XML can be fetched with an XMLHttpRequest

JSON is Unlike XML Because

• JSON doesn't use end tag
• JSON is shorter
• JSON is quicker to read and write
• JSON can use arrays

The biggest difference is:

XML has to be parsed with an XML parser. JSON can be parsed by a standard JavaScript function.

Why JSON is Better Than XML

XML is much more difficult to parse than JSON. JSON is parsed into a ready-to-use JavaScript object.

For AJAX applications, JSON is faster and easier than XML:

Using XML

• Fetch an XML document
• Use the XML DOM to loop through the document
• Extract values and store in variables

Using JSON

• Fetch a JSON string
• JSON.Parse the JSON string

❮ Previous Next ❯ ★ +1 Track your progress - it's free! Log in Sign Up

COLOR PICKER

PLUS SPACES GET CERTIFIED FOR TEACHERS FOR BUSINESS CONTACT US ×

Contact Sales

If you want to use W3Schools services as an educational institution, team or enterprise, send us an e-mail:sales@w3schools.com

Report Error

If you want to report an error, or if you want to make a suggestion, send us an e-mail:help@w3schools.com

Top Tutorials

HTML Tutorial CSS Tutorial JavaScript Tutorial How To Tutorial SQL Tutorial Python Tutorial W3.CSS Tutorial Bootstrap Tutorial PHP Tutorial Java Tutorial C++ Tutorial jQuery Tutorial

Top References

HTML Reference CSS Reference JavaScript Reference SQL Reference Python Reference W3.CSS Reference Bootstrap Reference PHP Reference HTML Colors Java Reference Angular Reference jQuery Reference

Top Examples

HTML Examples CSS Examples JavaScript Examples How To Examples SQL Examples Python Examples W3.CSS Examples Bootstrap Examples PHP Examples Java Examples XML Examples jQuery Examples

Get Certified

HTML Certificate CSS Certificate JavaScript Certificate Front End Certificate SQL Certificate Python Certificate PHP Certificate jQuery Certificate Java Certificate C++ Certificate C# Certificate XML Certificate     FORUM ABOUT ACADEMY W3Schools is optimized for learning and training. Examples might be simplified to improve reading and learning. Tutorials, references, and examples are constantly reviewed to avoid errors, but we cannot warrant full correctness of all content. While using W3Schools, you agree to have read and accepted our terms of use, cookie and privacy policy. Copyright 1999-2024 by Refsnes Data. All Rights Reserved. W3Schools is Powered by W3.CSS.