JSON是一种轻量级的、基于文本的、独立于语言的语法，用于定义数据交换格式。它源于ECMAScript编程语言，但与编程语言无关。JSON为结构化数据的可移植表示定义了一小组结构化规则。 ISO/IEC 21778:2017的目标只是定义有效JSON文本的语法。其目的不是提供符合该语法的任何语义或文本解释。它还有意不定义如何将有效的JSON文本内部化到编程语言的数据结构中。有许多可能的语义可以应用于JSON语法，也有许多方式可以通过编程语言处理或映射JSON文本。使用JSON进行有意义的信息交换需要相关方就应用的特定语义达成一致。定义JSON的特定语义解释可能是其他规范的一个主题。 类似地，JSON的语言映射也可以独立指定。例如，ECMA-262定义了有效JSON文本和ECMAScript运行时数据结构之间的映射。

JSON is a lightweight, text-based, language-independent syntax for defining data interchange formats. It was derived from the ECMAScript programming language, but is programming language independent. JSON defines a small set of structuring rules for the portable representation of structured data. The goal of ISO/IEC 21778:2017 is only to define the syntax of valid JSON texts. Its intent is not to provide any semantics or interpretation of text conforming to that syntax. It also intentionally does not define how a valid JSON text might be internalized into the data structures of a programming language. There are many possible semantics that could be applied to the JSON syntax and many ways that a JSON text can be processed or mapped by a programming language. Meaningful interchange of information using JSON requires agreement among the involved parties on the specific semantics to be applied. Defining specific semantic interpretations of JSON is potentially a topic for other specifications. Similarly, language mappings of JSON can also be independently specified. For example, ECMA-262 defines mappings between valid JSON texts and ECMAScript's runtime data structures.