What does JSON stand for in programming?

JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It is a lightweight data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. JSON primarily uses a text format for storing and transmitting data objects consisting of attribute-value pairs, making it a popular choice for APIs and web services.

Understanding that JSON is based on a subset of JavaScript means that it inherits the JavaScript object literal syntax, which includes the use of curly brackets for objects and square brackets for arrays. This characteristic makes it a natural fit for use in web-based applications, where data often needs to be sent between a client and server in a structured format.

The other choices presented are incorrect as they either describe a non-existent format or do not accurately represent what JSON stands for. The specificity of JSON as JavaScript Object Notation is a crucial aspect of its identity in programming and data interchange.