Reading JSON

Learn how to read JSON and make sense of your workflow data.

Module overview

🥚 Learning to read JSON is like unlocking a map to your workflow’s data. In this module, you'll break down real JSON files, spot familiar data types, and gain the confidence to trace errors, interpret results, and fine-tune your Rewst automations.

Video (3:01 minutes)

Module summary

What does JSON look like?

JSON is structured using four key symbols to organize data:

• Braces { }: Group related information (like a folder).

• Brackets [ ]: Represent lists (like a drawer of items).

• Colons :: Separate keys (labels) from values (data).

• Quotation Marks ": Indicate text (strings) or numbers that aren't used for math.

Breaking down a JSON example

Example:

{
  "Event": "Dinner and Concert",
  "Location": {
    "Restaurant": "The Fancy Fork",
    "Concert": "The Jazz Quartet",
    "City": "New Orleans"
  },
  "Guests": ["Alice", "Bob", "Charlie"],
  "ReservationID": 12345,
  "Cost": 200.75,
  "Completed": true}

In this example:

• Braces hold everything together.

• Keys like "Event" label the information.

• Lists of guests are inside brackets.

• Values like "Dinner and Concert" are clearly separated by colon

Why reading JSON matters

Understanding JSON helps you:

• Trace errors in workflows by checking the data at each step.

• Debug workflows more effectively by identifying missing or incorrect data.

• Modify data to improve automations by confidently extracting and using specific information from JSON responses.

By reading JSON, you gain the skills to troubleshoot, adjust, and optimize your Rewst workflows with ease.

Practice activities

• Take the reading JSON knowledge check:

Reading JSON knowledge check

• Check out our JSON practice activity to solidify your understanding even more!

Keep on cluckin'

Go to the previous module:

Intro to data types

Go to the next module:

Variables and context