JSONL vs JSON: Which Format Fits Your Data Needs?
In a world full of data with digital advancement, from saving to config files to ML training models. However, among many streamlined formats available, one is a .json file along with .jsonl format, which comes in use for developers, engineers and many analysts, but they wonder what fits best for them. So they’ve started an endless debate on JSONL vs JSON formats for having great APIs, logs, and a large volume of data.
In this article, we’ll talk about the comparison between JSONL and JSON format, which helps you decide when to use which file, and how this can be best & useful for your workflow.
Quick Difference Between JSONL and JSON
- Structure: JSONL has an individual JSON object per line, whereas JSON has a single array or object.
- Readability: JSONL files are less tidy and have plain lines, but json file is very user-friendly.
- Editing: very easy to edit, only add or remove a line, whereas the .json format remains valid for editing.
- Best for: JSONL used for Logs, Big data structure, ML sets, but JSON used for APIs, small data & configs.
- Scalability: easy to handle large files, whereas the JSON format is limited by the large volume of data.
This shows the debate of JSONL vs JSON file, where JSONL focuses much on scalability & streaming; JSON priorities its simplicity and readability. But what is JSONL or a JSON file? Let’s take a look:
What is the .jsonl File Format?
JavaScript Object Notation lines (JSONL) is a file format where every single line represents an individual JSON array. It doesn’t wrap each line with one object, which makes it compatible with large datasets. It’s saved with a .jsonl file or .ndjson extension.
Characteristics:
- Apps can write or read the line by line without loading the complete file, which makes the .jsonl file stream-friendly.
- Editing is very easy if we use this format as we only’ve to add or remove a line.
- There are no commas or closing brackets, which makes even a single line a standalone JSON object.
Example JSNOL:
{“name”: “Chinii”, “age”: 19}
{“name”: “Akshat”, “age”: 22}
Each line above is a whole JSON array.
What is the .json File Format?
JSON, short for JavaScript Object Notation which is a plain text data format which can be easily read by humans. It’s known for its simplicity and human readability. This .json file format is supported by every programming language. And, noted by .json file extension.
Characteristics:
- Popularly acceptable for APIs, applications and config files.
- This JSON file starts with a single object denoted by {} or an array by [], which includes nested values and objects.
- When you need to load your entire file, then json file is easily compatible with smaller datasets.
Example JSON:
[
{“name”: “Amit”,
“age”: 26,}
]
Here, the data is very summarize with an array and all content within an object.
Comparison between .jsonl and .json Format
JSONL vs JSON can be compared according to the given basis below:
- Cases
- Structure
- Efficient
- Error-Handling
Let’s explore more by following their diffrence:
1. Use Cases:
- JSONL: It’s useful to save as when you don’t want to load the whole file at once. Also perfect for the big incremental dataset, logging, ML training data, pipelines of ETL and real-time streaming, where every line represents an independent object.
- JSON: Ideal for small data, where you can save the complex data into one structural doc.
2. Efficiency:
- .jsonl: Much more efficient while handling large data, as you can easily read and load your file at the same time, which saves time as well as memory space.
- .json: Firstly, it requires the complete file to be processed, which makes it less efficient for big data sets. If talking about editing, then it needs to be written structured way again.
3. Structure:
- JSONL: Every line involves a different JSON object, which doesn’t contain any top array or object
- JSON: Here, the whole file is noted as an individual JSON object, which might include the rooted objects or arrays.
4. Error Handling:
- .jsonl: Issue in single not much affects the left file, which makes it more flexible.
- .json: A single comma or a bracket may cause the complete JSON file to be inaccessible.
When to Select JSONL vs JSON Format?
Choose JSONL:
- Need Line-By-Line Processing
- Real-Time Streaming
- Creating a Logging System
- Working with Big Data Sets
- Memory Usage
Choose JSON:
- Making REST APIs
- Full Structured Data in Memory
- Works on Rooted Datasets
- Making Config Files
- Tool Support
Comparison between JSONL and JSON is not about the top-level format but the suitability. Both file formats depend on different tasks.
Use a Professional Tool to Transfer File Format to Another
Whether you’ve a .json file and want to change it to .jsonl format, then we suggest using a reliable, trusted software, which is SysTools JSON Converter, which streamlines your process by changing the .json file to .jsonl for accessing the large data sets. It’s compatible with both Windows and macOS.
It can easily handle complex data without losing the structure, which maintains the original file structure intact. Also, supports batch conversion with 13+ formats by ensuring secure file processing.
Conclusion
Choosing JSONL vs JSON format will depend on your task, whether it’s of data characteristics, streaming, or config files. You can consider these points when selecting:
- Human-readability
- Performance requirement
- Flexbilty
- Memory usage
- Data structure
- Ecosystem Support
JSON is the go-to format as it’s widely supported by many apps, readable, and compatible with smaller datasets and APIs. Moreover, JSONL focuses more on large data, logging and streaming.
In this article, we’ve covered how you can choose between .jsonl and .json files by knowing their pros, cons, and most importantly, the usage to enhance the performance of the data-driven application.
FAQs on JSONL vs JSON Format
Q.1 Does JSONL Process File Faster Than JSON?
A. Yes, if you’ve huge datasets in JSONL format, process the file line by line.
Q.2 Is JSONL also Support Nested Objects?
A. Yes, it supports as each line is rooted with arrays, objects, just like a normal JSON file.
Q.3 How can a JSON File be converted to JSONL Format?
A. Yes, it can easily be transformed into a .jsonl file format without losing data hierarchy, if you use the aforementioned tool.