About XML & JSON
XML (Extensible Markup Language) and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) are the two most common data interchange formats on the web. While they serve similar purposes, each has its pros and cons.
XML Extensible Markup Language
- • Custom tag structure like HTML
- • Supports attributes and namespaces
- • Strict structure, good for complex docs
- • Verbose, larger file size
JSON JavaScript Object Notation
- • Key-Value pair structure
- • Native support for Arrays and Objects
- • Concise syntax, fast parsing
- • Preferred format for modern Web APIs
Common Use Cases
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API Migration: Upgrading legacy XML/SOAP interfaces to modern RESTful JSON APIs.
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Config Conversion: Many enterprise tools use XML (e.g., Maven pom.xml), while frontend tools prefer JSON (e.g., package.json).
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Data Visualization: Converting exported XML data to JSON for rendering with formatting libraries like ECharts or D3.js.
FAQ
Is the conversion lossless?
Mostly yes, but some XML features (attributes, mixed content, CDATA) don't have direct JSON
equivalents. This tool maintains data by using conventions like "@_" for attributes.
How are XML attributes handled?
Attributes are converted to JSON keys prefixed with "@_". For example, `<item id="1">`
becomes `{"item": {"@_id": "1"}}`. This ensures no data is lost.
Is my data uploaded to a server?
Absolutely not. All conversions happen locally in your browser (Client-side). Your data never
leaves your device.
How is the root node handled in JSON to XML?
XML requires a single unique root node. If your JSON is an array or has multiple top-level keys,
the tool automatically wraps them in a `<root>` tag.
Does it support large files?
Yes, limited by browser memory. Text files of a few MBs are handled instantly, but >50MB might
cause UI lag.
Are JSON arrays supported?
Yes. JSON arrays are typically converted to repeated XML tags. For example `{"users": ["A",
"B"]}` might become `<users>A</users><users>B</users>`.
Can I minify the output?
Yes. While the default output is pretty-printed, you can manually remove whitespace, or look out
for a future "Minify" button update.
Why does XML to JSON sometimes show just "@_"?
This happens when an XML node has attributes but no text content. Our parser faithfully
represents the structure of the XML.
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