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Freelance JSON Programming

Serializing and transmitting structured data over a network connection is essential for modern businesses. JSON programming makes this possible, and those with JSON programming skills are in high demand. Here, we jump into the world of freelance JSON programming, and demonstrate how TalentPowered can help you get started. 

We all learn how to communicate at a young age through the language used by those around us. The beauty of human language is that a lot of it is non-verbal, interpretive, and full of emotion. We can say something to someone but mean something completely different. Programming languages, on the other hand, are the opposite of that. They are literal, emotionless, strict, and precise. 

 

There are around 700 programming languages in the world and all of them are unique. Languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, Perl, and C++ are some of the most useful and popular programming languages used by Software Developers everywhere. But perhaps the most widely used programming language and the language that most seasoned developers would urge you to learn first, however, is JavaScript. There are over 1.7 billion websites in the world today, and among those 1.7 billion, JavaScript is used on 95 percent of them. And, if you’re interested in JavaScript, you may consider specializing in JSON programming.

 

What is JSON

Before looking into what a JSON programmer does, it’s important to understand what JSON is. JSON or JavaScript Object Notation is a text-based format used for representing structured databases on JavaScript object syntax. Even though JSON is similar to JavaScript object syntax, it’s not limited to JavaScript and has the ability to work with many other languages in the C-family. In its most simple form, JSON is commonly used to transmit data in web applications. One of the main things that you can do with JSON is send data from the server to the client so that it can be displayed on a web page.

 

JSON helps us understand how to represent and arrange data sets so they can easily be written, transferred, and parsed by a receiver. Not only is JSON easy for people to use, but it’s also easy for machines to dissect and generate the data. JSON is a common alternative to the popular markup language known as XML.

 

JSON Basics

JSON isn’t too complex or hard to learn if you’re familiar with programming. All you need to know in order to become a JSON programmer is basic computer skills, a basic understanding of HTML and CSS, and a decent knowledge of the JavaScript basics. 

 

JSON exists on a string, which is helpful when transmitting data across a network. JSON programmers who are fluent in JavaScript will find this useful because they can include the same basic data types inside the JSON as you can in a standard JavaScript format. This allows the construction of the data to be hierarchically organized. The basic rules for creating a JSON string go as follows: 

 

  • A JSON string contains an array of values or an object. 
  • A value in an object or an array can be a number, a string in double quotes, a true and false (boolean), another array surrounded by square brackets -- [ and ], another object surrounded by curly brackets -- { and }, or the value null
  • The array of values is surrounded by square brackets -- [ and ] and contains a list of values separated by commas.
  • The object is surrounded by curly brackets -- { and } and like the array, contains a list of names/value pairs separated by commas.
  • The name/value pair has a field name which is in double-quotes, followed by a colon, then followed by the field value. 

 

Examples of JSON

It’s hard to narrow down one main example of what JSON programming does because it’s so multi-dimensional. Like we mentioned above, JSON is most commonly used in web applications to send data from the server to the browser. A step by step example goes as follows:

  1. A user clicks on a product thumbnail in an online store.
  2. The JavaScript running in the browser makes a request to the PHP script that’s running on the server, which passes it to the ID of the clicked product. 
  3. The PHP script then fetches the product name, description, and price (as well as any other info needed from the product’s database). 
  4. After that, the PHP script encodes the data as a JSON string, and sends the string itself, back to the browser. 
  5. The JavaScript that is running in the browser will decode the JSON string and display the product details on the page for the user. 

 

Another less common, yet still useful way to use JSON is to send data from browser to server as long as the JSON string is encoded as a GET or POST parameter.

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Why Businesses Need a JSON Programmer

A JSON programmer is extremely important for any organization wanting to serialize and transmit data over a network connection. It’s a bit of a niche skill to have, but learning the trade can result in a nice pay bump and could put a spotlight on your back when a company or individual is looking to hire. According to PayScale, the average salary for a software developer with JSON skills is $77,267. The more talented JSON programmers will have a broad range of software development skills that will allow them to work in a time-sensitive and issue-free manner. 

 

If you’re interested in dipping your toe into the JSON market, look no further than TalentPowered. The TalentPowered platform offers the tools and support you need to get started with JSON programming. Browse through posted jobs and find the ones you’re interested in. Make bids and connect with employers. Negotiate rates and deadlines. And do it all backed by a powerful freelancing platform designed to ensure the best possible experience for everyone involved. 

 

Sign on with TalentPowered and take your first steps towards becoming a JSON programmer!

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