The world of web development is characterized by the intricacy of various tools and programming languages. One of them, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), both simple and powerful, is widely used for storing and exchanging data on the Web. But one question often remains: how to insert a comment in a JSON file? The answer is simple: this is normally not possible, because the JSON specification simply doesn’t allow it. However, alternative methods can be used to circumvent this limitation. Let’s go deeper into this issue.
Why do we add comments?
Before exploring alternative solutions for adding comments in JSON, it is necessary to understand Why we need feedback in programming. They allow document code by making actions and functions clearer to those who read it. Indeed, the code is often reread and used by other developers who did not participate in its initial writing. However, while the JSON specification is designed to be minimalist and data-driven, the lack of comments can sometimes hinder understanding.
Alternative methods for notes in JSON
Although the JSON specification does not allow adding traditional comments, several approaches can be used to add notes indirectly. However, the use of these methods requires particular caution, as they can harm the readability and compatibility of the data if they are not correctly implemented.
Use keys for comments
The first method is to use specific keys for comments. Respecting the basic principles of JSON, this technique consists of adding a key (for example, “_comment”) within the JSON object to insert a note.
{
"_comment": "This JSON file contains information about a product",
"name": "Apples",
"quantity": 50
}This method is simple and effective, but has the disadvantage of polluting the data with comments that have no real meaning in terms of the data.
Use a character string in JSON format
The second method is to use a character string in JSON format. Initially intended for data storage, a character string can also be used for comments.
{
"comment": "{ 'author': 'Nicolas', 'note': 'This method is quite complex' }",
"name": "Apples",
"quantity": 50
}This method is more structured than the previous one, but its use must remain judicious to avoid complicating the reading of the code.
Use an external tool for comments
The third method is to use an external tool for inserting comments. There are several tools like JSON5, JSONC or HOCON that extend the JSON specification to include comments and other features.
{
// This JSON file contains information about a product
"name": "Apples",
"quantity": 50
}This method offers a more direct solution for feedback but involves adopting a new specification or tool.
What approach should I take for comments in a JSON file?
When it comes to comments in JSON, there is no single solution. The choice actually depends on the specific needs of the project, the complexity of the code and the number of people likely to interact with it. In all cases, a good comment must be concise, clear and judiciously placed. It should not harm the readability of the code or confuse those reading it.
It is essential to remember that JSON was designed to be lightweight, easy to read, and data-driven. When inserting comments, we must be careful not to compromise these principles.
So if you want to use comments in your JSON files, choose the method that seems most appropriate to you, but always with the aim of making your code as readable and understandable as possible!
