Reference Knowledge Base

Understanding JSON Keywords & Literals

Learn about JSON literal values: true, false, null, numbers, strings, and object keys under RFC 8259 guidelines.

JSON Literal Values & Keywords

Unlike full programming languages, JSON defines only three keyword literals: true, false, and null. All three must be strictly lowercase.

Literal Specifications:

  • true / false: Boolean primitives. Keywords like True or FALSE trigger syntax errors.
  • null: Represents empty or non-existent values. None or undefined are invalid in JSON.
json
{
  "isActive": true,
  "isDeleted": false,
  "deletedAt": null
}

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is undefined allowed in JSON?

No, undefined is not a valid JSON primitive. Use null instead.

Are boolean values in JSON case sensitive?

Yes, boolean literals must strictly be lowercase true or false.

Related JSON Topics & Reference Articles