In modern web applications, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the standard format for exchanging data between clients and servers. A payload is the actual data sent within an API request, typically in POST, PUT, or PATCH requests.
How JSON Payloads Work
When a client sends a request to a server, the payload is placed in the request body. The server processes this data and responds accordingly.
Example: Handling JSON Payload in Node.js (Express.js)
const express = require(“express”);
const app = express();
app.use(express.json());
app.post(“/api/data”, (req, res) => {
const payload = req.body;
console.log(“Received Payload:”, payload);
res.json({
status: “success”,
data: payload,
});
});
app.listen(3000, () => console.log(“Server running on port 3000”));
- The
express.json()middleware parses incoming JSON data. - The request body (
req.body) contains the payload sent by the client. - The server responds with the received payload.
JSON payloads are essential for smooth API communication, enabling structured data exchange between different applications.