What is the use of JSON in web development?

The use of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) in web development primarily revolves around its role as a data interchange format. JSON is lightweight and easy to understand, making it ideal for transmitting data between a client (such as a web browser) and a server (backend). When a client makes requests to a server, it can utilize JSON to format the data sent and received, allowing for seamless communication.

For instance, when an application fetches user data from a database or submits form information, JSON serves as a structured way to package this data, ensuring that the client and server can effectively interpret and manipulate it. The simplicity of JSON syntax, resembling JavaScript object literals, enhances its usability for developers, allowing for efficient data handling in asynchronous programming, such as with AJAX calls.

This focus on data transmission distinguishes it from other uses of data formats. While JSON can be part of server responses, it doesn't inherently format them for readability or provide a scripting language interface, nor does it represent styles for HTML elements, which are the functions of CSS.