# JSON for Modern C++

> JSON library

**Wikidata**: [Q104075508](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104075508)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/json-for-modern-c

## Summary
JSON for Modern C++ is a JSON library developed by German computer scientist Niels Lohmann. It is free software, licensed under the MIT License, and designed to be cross-platform, enabling C++ applications to easily work with JSON data.

## Key Facts
- Developed by Niels Lohmann, a German computer scientist.
- Licensed under the MIT License.
- The first version, 1.0.0, was released on December 28, 2015.
- It supports the C++11 programming language standard.
- It is classified as free software, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.
- The library is cross-platform, capable of operating on multiple computing platforms.
- Its aliases include "nlohmann-json".
- The official website is https://json.nlohmann.me/.

## FAQs
### Q: What is JSON for Modern C++?
A: JSON for Modern C++ is a software library designed to facilitate working with JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) data within C++ applications. It provides tools for parsing, generating, and manipulating JSON structures.

### Q: Who developed JSON for Modern C++?
A: JSON for Modern C++ was developed by Niels Lohmann, a German computer scientist. He is credited as the creator of this widely used JSON library.

### Q: What is the license for JSON for Modern C++?
A: JSON for Modern C++ is licensed under the MIT License. This makes it free software, allowing for broad use, modification, and distribution under very permissive terms.

### Q: What programming language does JSON for Modern C++ support?
A: The library is designed for C++ and specifically supports the C++11 standard. This enables modern C++ applications to integrate JSON functionality.

### Q: Is JSON for Modern C++ cross-platform?
A: Yes, JSON for Modern C++ is a cross-platform library. This means it can be implemented and operate on various computing platforms, providing flexibility for developers.

## Why It Matters
JSON for Modern C++ is significant because it provides a robust, easy-to-use, and modern solution for handling JSON data within C++ applications. JSON has become a ubiquitous data interchange format across web services, APIs, and configuration files. Before libraries like this, C++ developers often faced challenges in efficiently parsing and generating JSON, sometimes resorting to less idiomatic or more cumbersome methods.

Niels Lohmann's library simplifies this process by offering an intuitive API that integrates well with C++'s standard library containers and paradigms. Its status as free software under the MIT License encourages widespread adoption and contribution, making it accessible to a vast developer community without licensing barriers. Furthermore, its cross-platform nature ensures that C++ applications requiring JSON capabilities can be developed and deployed across diverse operating systems and environments, from embedded systems to large-scale servers. This library has become a de-facto standard for JSON processing in modern C++, enabling developers to build more interconnected and data-driven applications with greater ease and efficiency.

## Notable For
- **Single-header implementation**: While not explicitly stated in the provided text, its common knowledge as a single-header library is a distinguishing feature.
- **MIT License**: Its permissive MIT License makes it highly accessible and widely adopted in commercial and open-source projects.
- **Cross-platform compatibility**: Designed to run on multiple computing platforms, offering broad utility for C++ developers.
- **Modern C++ support**: Specifically targets C++11, aligning with contemporary C++ development practices.
- **Widespread package manager availability**: It is available through numerous package managers including Gentoo, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Debian, Homebrew, and Slackbuilds, simplifying integration.

## Body

### Overview
JSON for Modern C++ is a software library designed for handling JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) data within C++ applications. It is also known by the alias "nlohmann-json". The library's primary function is to provide tools for parsing, generating, and manipulating JSON structures.

### Development & Licensing
The library was developed by Niels Lohmann, a German computer scientist. It is classified as free software, meaning users are permitted to freely run, study, change, and distribute it and its modified versions. JSON for Modern C++ is licensed under the MIT License, as referenced from its GitHub repository API. The copyright status of the library is "copyrighted".

### Technical Specifications
JSON for Modern C++ is written for the C++ programming language, specifically supporting the C++11 standard. It is designed to be cross-platform, allowing it to operate on various computing platforms and operating systems.

### Version History
The library has undergone several releases since its inception. Key early versions include:
- **1.0.0**: Released on December 28, 2015.
- **1.1.0**: Released on January 24, 2016.
- **2.0.0**: Released on June 23, 2016.
- **2.0.1**: Released on June 28, 2016.
- **2.0.2**: Released on July 31, 2016.
- **2.0.3**: Released on August 31, 2016.
- **2.0.4**: Released on September 11, 2016.
- **2.0.5**: Released on September 14, 2016.
- **2.0.6**: Released on October 15, 2016.
- **2.0.7**: Released on November 02, 2016.

### Availability
The official website for JSON for Modern C++ is https://json.nlohmann.me/. Its source code repository is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/nlohmann/json. The library is widely available through various package managers:
- **Gentoo**: `dev-cpp/nlohmann_json`
- **Ubuntu**: `nlohmann-json3-dev`
- **Arch Linux**: `nlohmann-json`
- **Slackbuilds**: `libraries/nlohmann_json`
- **Debian (source package)**: `nlohmann-json3`
- **Debian (stable package)**: `nlohmann-json3-dev`
- **Homebrew**: `nlohmann-json`

## References

1. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/nlohmann/json)
2. [2025](https://github.com/EvanLi/Github-Ranking/blob/master/Data/github-ranking-2025-07-06.csv)
3. [Release 1.0.0. 2015](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v1.0.0)
4. [Release 1.1.0. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v1.1.0)
5. [Release 2.0.0. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.0)
6. [Release 2.0.1. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.1)
7. [Release 2.0.2. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.2)
8. [Release 2.0.3. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.3)
9. [Release 2.0.4. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.4)
10. [Release 2.0.5. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.5)
11. [Release 2.0.6. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.6)
12. [Release 2.0.7. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.7)
13. [Release 2.0.8. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.8)
14. [Release 2.0.9. 2016](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.9)
15. [Release 2.0.10. 2017](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.0.10)
16. [Release 2.1.0. 2017](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.1.0)
17. [Release 2.1.1. 2017](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v2.1.1)
18. [Release 3.0.0. 2017](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.0.0)
19. [Release 3.0.1. 2017](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.0.1)
20. [Release 3.1.0. 2018](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.1.0)
21. [Release 3.1.1. 2018](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.1.1)
22. [Release 3.1.2. 2018](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.1.2)
23. [Release 3.2.0. 2018](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.2.0)
24. [Release 3.3.0. 2018](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.3.0)
25. [Release 3.4.0. 2018](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.4.0)
26. [Release 3.5.0. 2018](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.5.0)
27. [Release 3.6.0. 2019](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.6.0)
28. [Release 3.6.1. 2019](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.6.1)
29. [Release 3.7.0. 2019](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.7.0)
30. [Release 3.7.1. 2019](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.7.1)
31. [Release 3.7.2. 2019](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.7.2)
32. [Release 3.7.3. 2019](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.7.3)
33. [Release 3.8.0. 2020](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.8.0)
34. [Release 3.9.0. 2020](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.9.0)
35. [Release 3.9.1. 2020](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.9.1)
36. [Release 3.10.0. 2021](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.10.0)
37. [Release 3.10.1. 2021](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.10.1)
38. [Release 3.10.2. 2021](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.10.2)
39. [Release 3.10.3. 2021](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.10.3)
40. [Release 3.10.4. 2021](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.10.4)
41. [Release 3.10.5. 2022](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.10.5)
42. [Release 3.11.0. 2022](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.11.0)
43. [Release 3.11.1. 2022](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.11.1)
44. [Release 3.11.2. 2022](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.11.2)
45. [Release 3.11.3. 2023](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.11.3)
46. [Release 3.12.0. 2025](https://github.com/nlohmann/json/releases/tag/v3.12.0)
47. [Source](https://github.com/nlohmann/json)