Difference between JSONObject and JSONArray

Question

After having a short look at Google I found this link that describes the difference, yet from a syntax point of view.

When would one be preferred over the other in a programming scenario?

Answer 1

object : An object is an unordered set of name/value pairs. An object begins with { (left brace) and ends with } (right brace). Each name is followed by : (colon) and the name/value pairs are separated by , (comma).

array : An array is an ordered collection of values. An array begins with [ (left bracket) and ends with ] (right bracket). Values are separated by , (comma).

Answer 2

When you are working with JSON data in Android, you would use JSONArray to parse JSON which starts with the array brackets. Arrays in JSON are used to organize a collection of related items (Which could be JSON objects).
For example: [{"name":"item 1"},{"name": "item2} ]

On the other hand, you would use JSONObject when dealing with JSON that begins with curly braces. A JSON object is typically used to contain key/value pairs related to one item. For example: {"name": "item1", "description":"a JSON object"}

Of course, JSON arrays and objects may be nested inside one another. One common example of this is an API which returns a JSON object containing some metadata alongside an array of the items matching your query:

{"startIndex": 0, "data": [{"name":"item 1"},{"name": "item2"} ]}

Answer 3

I know, all of the previous answers are insightful to your question. I had too like you this confusion just one minute before finding this SO thread. After reading some of the answers, here is what I get: A JSONObject is a JSON-like object that can be represented as an element in the array, the JSONArray. In other words, a JSONArray can contain a (or many) JSONObject.

Answer 4

I always use object, it is more easily extendable, JSON array is not. For example you originally had some data as a json array, then you needed to add a status header on it you'd be a bit stuck, unless you'd nested the data in an object. The only disadvantage is a slight increase in complexity of creation / parsing.

So instead of

[datum0, datum1, datumN]

You'd have

{data: [datum0, datum1, datumN]}

then later you can add more...

{status: "foo", data: [datum0, datum1, datumN]}

Answer 5

To understand it in a easier way, following are the diffrences between JSON object and JSON array:

Link to Tabular Difference : https://i.stack.imgur.com/GIqI9.png

JSON Array

1. Arrays in JSON are used to organize a collection of related items
   (Which could be JSON objects)
2.  Array values must be of type string, number, object, array, boolean or null
3.  Syntax: 
           [ "Ford", "BMW", "Fiat" ]
4.  JSON arrays are surrounded by square brackets []. 
    **Tip to remember**  :  Here, order of element is important. That means you have 
    to go straight like the shape of the bracket i.e. straight lines. 
   (Note :It is just my logic to remember the shape of both.) 
5.  Order of elements is important. Example:  {rollno: 1, firstname: 'Somya'} is not 
    equal to { firstname: 'Somya', rollno: 1}
6.  JSON can store nested Arrays that are passed as a value.

JSON Object

1.  JSON objects are written in key/value pairs.
2.  Keys must be strings, and values must be a valid JSON data type (string, number, 
    object, array, boolean or null).Keys and values are separated by a colon.
    Each key/value pair is separated by a comma.
3.  Syntax:
         { "name":"Somya", "age":25, "car":null }
4.  JSON objects are surrounded by curly braces {} 
    Tip to remember : Here, order of element is not important. That means you can go 
    the way you like. Therefore the shape of the braces i.e. wavy. 
    (Note : It is just my logic to remember the shape of both.)
5.  Order of elements is not important. 
    Example:  { rollno: 1, firstname: 'Somya'} 
                   is equal to 
             { firstname: 'Somya', rollno: 1}
6.  JSON can store nested objects in JSON format in addition to nested arrays.

Answer 6

Best programmatically Understanding.

when syntax is {}then this is JsonObject

when syntax is [] then this is JsonArray

A JSONObject is a JSON-like object that can be represented as an element in the JSONArray. JSONArray can contain a (or many) JSONObject

Hope this will helpful to you !