JSON is a lightweight data format used to store and transport data between a server and web page. It stands for JavaScript Object Notation. JSON syntax follows JavaScript object syntax rules - data is in name/value pairs within curly braces for objects and square brackets for arrays. When exchanging data between a browser and server, it can only be text, so JSON text can be converted to JavaScript objects on the browser and back, allowing work with data as JavaScript objects without parsing. Arrays in JSON hold multiple objects within square brackets.