What is the difference between XML and JSON?

JSON is better suited for lightweight data exchange and APIs due to its simplicity and compactness. XML is more versatile and used where a strict structure, schema validation, and extensibility are required.

Criterion	XML	JSON
Main purpose	Data exchange, configuration	Data exchange, API
Format	Hierarchical	Hierarchical
Readability	Less readable due to tags	More readable
Size	Larger, more cumbersome	More compact
Data type support	Strings (typed via schemas)	Strings, numbers, boolean, arrays, objects, null
Parsing	Requires more resources	Lighter, native to JavaScript
Comments	Supported (<!-- ... -->)	Not supported (not in standard)
Namespaces	Supported	Not supported
Validation schemas	DTD, XML Schema, Relax NG	JSON Schema

Example XML:

<!-- User information -->
<user>
  <name>Ivan</name>
  <age type="integer">30</age>
  <contacts>
    <email>ivan@example.com</email>
    <phone>+1234567890</phone>
  </contacts>
</user>

Example JSON:

// User information
{
  "name": "Ivan",
  "age": 30,
  "contacts": {
    "email": "ivan@example.com",
    "phone": "+1234567890"
  }
}