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This is probably a simple question, which I can't seem to find a solid answer to.

Why would one choose JSON2 over jquery-json plugin (http://code.google.com/p/jquery-json/)? Given that a web application is using jQuery to begin with.

Everyone's writing about how great it is that JSON2 falls back on the native implementation; well, so does jquery-json. I welcome links to blogs, articles and examples. However, I'm looking for a strong solid answer on which one is better to use and why.

halfer
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Dimskiy
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3 Answers3

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Author of jquery-json here. It really doesn't matter much. I made jquery-json a long time ago when there were no good options, and keep it there because a lot of people like it.

They are both a handful of functions that do just about the same thing.

Brantley Harris
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An important difference between the two is that JSON2's api is exactly the same as the native api whereas jquery-json is a jquery plugin (which is slightly different than falling back on the native implementation).

I would say your answer depends on which api you want to use since you'll get the same results with either implementation (you should at least).

As a thought experiment, let's imagine that every browser had a native JSON api implementation. Would you still use jquery-json?

If so, then use the jquery plug-in.

If not, then why would you tie your code to the jquery-json api when the native api is already well-known (even if its not globally implemented)?

If it means anything to you, John Resig (the creator of jQuery) has said "In the meantime PLEASE start migrating your JSON-using applications over to Crockford's json2.js"

Ken Browning
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    Good thought. If all browsers had native JSON api, I would NOT use any plugin. Let me take a look at that link to John's blog. – Dimskiy Oct 20 '10 at 16:18
  • I think the answer takes several readings until one gets that json2.js implements the native API and that jquery-json does not. – Carl Oct 07 '11 at 15:03
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Most modern browsers have native JSON build in, jQuery defaults to those functions when using e.g. $.getJSON() or $.parseJSON().

So if you are using jQuery, you don't need any plugin/library for JSON.

saibotd
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  • Most of the time, I use $.ajax() function, so I need to serialize/deserialize somewhat manually. – Dimskiy Oct 20 '10 at 16:15
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    You shouldn't need to deserialize your data if you set the dataType property of the configuration object you pass into `$.ajax()` – Ken Browning Oct 20 '10 at 16:21
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    @Ken Browning - I was getting my data from an asmx service. So it was prefixed with Microsoft's 'd'. I had to do something like $.evalJSON(resultData.d) with jquery-json plugin. That was sometime back, though. I'm currently trying to evaluate some UI related questions/issues for an upcoming project. Thanks for the suggestion. – Dimskiy Oct 20 '10 at 16:39