# JSON - The Fine Print: Part 1

DevFeed: [JSON - The Fine Print: Part 1](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/json-the-fine-print-part-1-22266.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.ardanlabs.com/blog/2024/10/json-the-fine-print-part-1.html>)

Published: 2024-10-23T00:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [William Kennedy](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/william-kennedy.md>)

Topics: [JSON](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/json.md>), [API](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/api.md>)

Tags: [api-layers](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/api-layers.md>), [apis](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apis.md>), [common-serialization-errors](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/common-serialization-errors.md>), [data-serialization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data-serialization.md>), [data-structure-separation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data-structure-separation.md>), [data-transmission](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data-transmission.md>), [data-validation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data-validation.md>), [database](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/database.md>), [elasticsearch](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/elasticsearch.md>), [encoding-json](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/encoding-json.md>), [go-json-types](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/go-json-types.md>), [go-language-serialization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/go-language-serialization.md>), [go-language-validation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/go-language-validation.md>), [go-type-mapping](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/go-type-mapping.md>), [json](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/json.md>), [json-best-practices](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/json-best-practices.md>), [json-go-mapping](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/json-go-mapping.md>), [json-marshaling](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/json-marshaling.md>), [json-unmarshaling](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/json-unmarshaling.md>), [json-validation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/json-validation.md>), [passing-serialized-data](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/passing-serialized-data.md>), [rest-apis](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/rest-apis.md>), [schema-less-data-format](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/schema-less-data-format.md>), [sensitive-data](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/sensitive-data.md>), [serialization](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/serialization.md>), [serialization-mistakes](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/serialization-mistakes.md>), [serialization-protocols](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/serialization-protocols.md>)

## AI overview

This article explains JSON and serialization fundamentals, then examines common mistakes. It recommends serializing data at program boundaries and using separate data structures for API, business, and storage layers to avoid inefficiency, coupling, and accidental exposure of sensitive data.

## Source excerpt

Introduction Everybody knows JSON, it's a simple serialization format and the default format for REST APIs. Like many other topics, there are fine points you should know in order to work with JSON more effectively and avoid common mistakes. In this article we'll explore some big picture aspects and some low level details of using JSON. Serialization Before diving into JSON, I'd like to take a look at serialization in general and discuss common mistakes I've seen my customers make.