JSON JSONPath

Hello and welcome — I’m Mumshad Mannambeth. This lesson introduces JSONPath, a concise query language for extracting data from JSON documents. We’ll:

Recap YAML vs JSON
Learn JSONPath basics (root, dot notation, array indexing, slices)
Work with dictionaries, lists, and nested structures
Apply filters / criteria to select items
Try practice exercises and review the quiz workflow

A presentation slide titled "Objectives" listing topics like YAML, YAML vs JSON, JSON PATH (Dictionaries, Lists, Lists and Dictionaries, Criteria) and Practice Exercises. A small diagram on the right shows a "JSON PATH - Criteria" example.

This lesson is designed for beginners. We’ll move from simple examples to applied filters so you can practice and build confidence. Consider subscribing to the channel to get notified about new lessons.

YAML vs JSON — quick recap

Both YAML and JSON represent structured data and are often interchangeable. Below is a compact comparison to help you choose the format and convert between them.

Feature	YAML	JSON
Syntax style	Indentation-based, human-friendly	Bracket-based, strict commas and quotes
Objects	Mappings using indentation	Objects using `{}`
Arrays	Dash `-` list elements	Arrays using `[]`
Use cases	Configuration files, readable by humans	APIs, data interchange between services
Conversion	Tools like json2yaml or language libraries	Tools like json2yaml or language libraries

You can convert between YAML and JSON using online converters (e.g. json2yaml.com) or with small scripts in most languages. Example JSON:

{
  "car": {
    "color": "blue",
    "price": "$20,000",
    "wheels": [
      {
        "model": "X345ERT",
        "location": "front-right"
      },
      {
        "model": "X345ERT",
        "location": "front-left"
      },
      {
        "model": "X345ERT",
        "location": "rear-right"
      },
      {
        "model": "X345ERT",
        "location": "rear-left"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Same data in YAML:

car:
  color: blue
  price: "$20,000"
  wheels:
    - model: X345ERT
      location: front-right
    - model: X345ERT
      location: front-left
    - model: X345ERT
      location: rear-right
    - model: X345ERT
      location: rear-left

For the rest of this lesson we’ll use JSON examples — YAML can usually be converted to JSON if needed.

What is JSONPath?

JSONPath is a query language for JSON documents, analogous to how XPath works for XML or SQL for relational data. A JSONPath expression navigates the structure of a JSON document and returns matching nodes (typically as an array of matches). Use cases:

Extract properties from nested structures
Select array elements by index, slice, or condition
Support test/quiz platforms that validate JSONPath queries

Basic JSONPath concepts

$ — the root of the JSON document.
Dot notation — access child properties: $.car.color
Bracket notation — access arrays and special keys: $['car'], $[0]
Array indices — single index ($[0]), multiple indices ($[0,3]), slices ($[0:3])
Filters — inside ?() to test elements: $[?(@.price > 1000)]
@ — the current element within a filter expression

JSONPath implementations vary slightly. Some engines always return results as arrays; others may return a single value. When practicing, expect results to be shown as an array of matches.

Quick examples

Given this JSON document:

{
  "car": {
    "color": "blue",
    "price": "$20,000"
  },
  "bus": {
    "color": "white",
    "price": "$120,000"
  }
}

Common queries and expected results:

Get car details Query:

$.car

Result:

[
  {
    "color": "blue",
    "price": "$20,000"
  }
]

Get the car’s color Query:
$.car.color
Result:
[ "blue" ]
Get the bus price Query:
$.bus.price
Result:
[ "$120,000" ]

If your document is nested under a parent like vehicles, then use $.vehicles.car.color.

Arrays (lists) and indexing

If the root is an array:

[
  "car",
  "bus",
  "truck",
  "bike"
]

$[0] — first element ("car")
$[3] — fourth element ("bike")
$[0,3] — first and fourth elements (["car","bike"])
Slices: $[1:3] — elements at indices 1 and 2

Dictionaries and lists combined

Consider this car object with a wheels array where each element is an object:

{
  "car": {
    "color": "blue",
    "price": "$20,000",
    "wheels": [
      {
        "model": "X345ERT",
        "location": "front-right"
      },
      {
        "model": "X346GRX",
        "location": "front-left"
      },
      {
        "model": "X236DEM",
        "location": "rear-right"
      },
      {
        "model": "X987XMV",
        "location": "rear-left"
      }
    ]
  }
}

$.car.wheels — returns the full wheels array (as a match):

[
  [
    { "model": "X345ERT", "location": "front-right" },
    { "model": "X346GRX", "location": "front-left" },
    { "model": "X236DEM", "location": "rear-right" },
    { "model": "X987XMV", "location": "rear-left" }
  ]
]

Second wheel object (index 1) Query:

$.car.wheels[1]

Result:

[
  {
    "model": "X346GRX",
    "location": "front-left"
  }
]

Model of the second wheel Query:
$.car.wheels[1].model
Result:
[ "X346GRX" ]

Filtering with criteria

Filters let you select array elements based on conditions instead of fixed indexes. Filters are written with ?() and refer to the current element with @. Numeric example: Given the array:

Select values greater than 40: Query:

$[?(@ > 40)]

Result:

Comparison operators (commonly supported):

Operator	Meaning
`@ == 40`	equals
`@ != 40`	not equals
`@ < 40`	less than
`@ > 40`	greater than
`@ <= 40`	less than or equal
`@ >= 40`	greater than or equal

Support for operators like in / nin, regex matching, or certain logical shortcuts varies by JSONPath engine. If in is not supported, combine comparisons with || (logical OR): (@ == 40 || @ == 43).

Filtering objects by property

Using the wheels example, find the model where location equals rear-right: Query:

$.car.wheels[?(@.location == 'rear-right')].model

Result:

[
  "X236DEM"
]

This returns the model value(s) for wheel objects matching the filter.

Practice exercises

Try practical quiz exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned. The KodeKloud quiz interface shows:

Top-left: question panel
Top-right: controls (Run / Show Solution)
Lower-left: source data to query
Lower-right: expected output

As you type a JSONPath query, the portal applies it to the source data and shows results instantly. When the result matches the expected output, the question is marked complete. Visit the quiz: https://kodekloud.com/p/json-path-quiz

Example workflow (illustrative) Source data:

{
  "property1": "value1",
  "property2": "value2"
}

Expected output:

[
  "value1"
]

Solution query:

$.property1

The portal shows your result next to the expected output so you can iterate quickly. If you get stuck, use “Show Solution” to reveal the correct JSONPath.

Links and references

JSONPath project: https://github.com/json-path/JsonPath
KodeKloud JSONPath quiz: https://kodekloud.com/p/json-path-quiz
JSON ↔ YAML conversion tools (example): https://json2yaml.com

If you’d like a follow-up lesson with advanced JSONPath patterns, deeper filter syntax, or walkthroughs for specific quiz items, leave feedback and we’ll prepare more content.

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Web Server

Database Basics

Security

General Prerequisites

2 Tier Applications

Lab Setup

Conclusion

YAML vs JSON — quick recap

What is JSONPath?

Basic JSONPath concepts

Quick examples

Arrays (lists) and indexing

Dictionaries and lists combined

Filtering with criteria

Filtering objects by property

Practice exercises

Links and references

Watch Video

Practice Lab

​YAML vs JSON — quick recap

​What is JSONPath?

​Basic JSONPath concepts

​Quick examples

​Arrays (lists) and indexing

​Dictionaries and lists combined

​Filtering with criteria

​Filtering objects by property

​Practice exercises

​Links and references

Watch Video

Practice Lab

YAML vs JSON — quick recap

What is JSONPath?

Basic JSONPath concepts

Quick examples

Arrays (lists) and indexing

Dictionaries and lists combined

Filtering with criteria

Filtering objects by property

Practice exercises

Links and references