What The Heck Is A .json File...

Discussion in 'Software Reviews and Tutorials' started by Lois Lane, May 26, 2025.

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  1. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

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    ...and why is one now seemingly all the time popping up all of a sudden in my world when I want to audition an instrument or plugin from the sister site?

    This is what I think of when I hear "Jason" and it scares me to think that that and a .json might be related?

    [​IMG]

    Do the .json need to be in the same folder as the plugin or can I ditch it in the trash?

    Thank you!

     
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    Lois Lane, May 26, 2025
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  3. Midge F

    Midge F Audiosexual

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    You mentioned it/him a few times. I hope it/he hasn't been invoked.

    Isn't a .json file something that causes Nexus user's head to explode?
     
    Midge F, May 26, 2025
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  4. Will Kweks

    Will Kweks Audiosexual

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    JSON is a data format, so it can be used for a lot of things. You can have a look inside, it's just text. Maybe that gives a clue of it's intended usage.

    If a website is giving you a JSON file (without you knowingly requesting one) then it's either a server misconfiguration or a browser misconfiguration (e.g. too strict adblocking).
     
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    Will Kweks, May 26, 2025
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  5. David Brock

    David Brock Audiosexual

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    Vorhees a jolly good fellow...
    I'd leave the .json file where it gets installed. I've had to edit it on several programs especially if I move presets to a different drive or folder. I edit it in notepad and save.
    The .json usually contains locations etc.
    Just don't do it on Friday 13th or you'll need Carpenter.exe to re-write it.
     
    David Brock, May 27, 2025
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  6. Plendix

    Plendix Rock Star

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    arent .json files java executables that launch via the java runtime?
    Often they come with an .exe along, I guess that makes the runtime unnecessary.
     
    Plendix, May 27, 2025
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  7. naitguy

    naitguy Audiosexual

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    No, @Will Kweks already covered it. They're plain-text data files used for a whole variety of things (quite frequently configuration files, but many other things). They aren't executable at all. They're essentially formatted in a way that is predictable (arrays, and a set of keys + their values), and with that, and being plain text, useable by any programming language.

    Its format is based on JavaScript.. which might be where you're your "Java" confusion from.
     
    naitguy, May 28, 2025
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  8. Slavestate

    Slavestate Rock Star

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    LOL editing .json files made it really easy to cheat in the 2018 Battletech game that's for sure..
     
    Slavestate, May 28, 2025
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  9. zadiac

    zadiac Producer

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    Ah, the sound of the innocent who have not wandered far enough to encounter the famous .json file.
     
    zadiac, May 28, 2025
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  10. SineWave

    SineWave Audiosexual

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    Best Answer
    If that means anything to anybody, .json files can be considered as .ini or .conf files. I do think .json files in VST3 plugin "resources" folders can be deleted if you want, I tried it, but some rare plugins probably use it.

    Those that you download for use with Neural Network plugins are something completely different, of course - trained AI models of various gear.
     
    SineWave, May 28, 2025
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  11. semilla

    semilla Ultrasonic

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    This is a TRAP! Do not do this. do not open a .json file or spooky scary things will start to happen in your life. Please
     
    semilla, May 28, 2025
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