Falling in love with json(net) by Jakub Marchwicki

JSON.NET is a library that helps manage and template JSON files, particularly useful for infrastructure-as-code scenarios

Common JSON pain points include:

• Lack of variables and reusability
• No multi-line string support
• Copy-pasting blocks of similar configuration
• No built-in validation
• No commenting capability

JSON.NET provides key features:

• Variable support and templating
• Functions and logical validation
• Standard library with common operations
• Ability to import/reference other JSON files
• Testing capabilities through a unit test library

Real-world applications include:

• AWS CloudWatch dashboards
• Infrastructure configuration
• Application monitoring setup
• Cross-service metrics and alarms

Best practices with JSON.NET:

• Define top-level arguments for reusability
• Create templates for common patterns
• Build validation into templates
• Use functions to encapsulate complex logic
• Keep configurations DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself)

JSON.NET transpiles to standard JSON, making it compatible with existing tools and services while providing better maintainability

The tool addresses the gap between JSON as a data interchange format and its use as a configuration language