JSON (JavaScript Object Notation): A lightweight, text-based data format commonly used to store and transfer data between a server and a web application. JSON is anchored in the JavaScript programming language, but is supported in many other programming languages. JSON data is structured in key-value pairs, much like a dictionary or associative array. This data structure allows it to represent simple data types such as strings, numbers, and Boolean values, as well as complex data types such as arrays and objects. JSON is known for its simplicity and readability, and is often used as an alternative to XML for exchanging data over the Internet.