juniorAPI Design
What is JSON and why is it used in APIs?
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Short answer
JavaScript Object Notation is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read/write and machines to parse.
Deep explanation
API Design at the junior level focuses on standards and communication. JavaScript Object Notation is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read/write and machines to parse. Following REST constraints ensures interoperability and ease of use.
Real-world example
A weather app fetching current temperature from a remote server.
Common mistakes
- Using GET for operations that modify data.
Follow-up questions
- What is a 201 status code?