JSON vs. JSONP: When Should I Use Each for Data Transfer?

JSON vs. JSONP: Format, File Type, and Practical Applications

Format and Structure

JSONP (JSON with Padding) resembles JSON but includes additional padding at the beginning and parentheses surrounding it. For instance:

//JSON
{"name":"stackoverflow","id":5}

//JSONP
func({"name":"stackoverflow","id":5});

The padding allows JSONP to be loaded as a script file.

File Type

JSON files are plain text files with the .json extension, containing data in JSON format. JSONP, on the other hand, is not a recognized file type and must be loaded as a script (.js) file.

Practical Usage

JSON is commonly used for structured data exchange and data transfer between client and server. Its ease of parsing and manipulation makes it a popular format for web development and RESTful APIs.

JSONP, in contrast, is primarily used in situations where cross-site AJAX is required. It enables you to retrieve JSON data from a server with a different domain than your web page. The padding allows the browser to interpret the JSON as a regular JavaScript function call. This technique facilitates cross-site data exchange without invoking CORS issues.

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