Enhancements to JSON Functions in FileMaker 2024 (v21.0)

FileMaker 2024 (v21.0) introduces significant enhancements to JSON functions, making it easier than ever to work with JSON data within your applications. These updates focus on improving the syntax and functionality of the JSONSetElement and JSONGetElement functions, streamlining the process of manipulating JSON arrays and objects.

Easier Appending with [+]

One of the standout improvements is the ability to append elements to an array using the JSONSetElement function. Previously, adding new elements to an array required specifying the exact position, which could be cumbersome, especially when dealing with dynamic data structures. Now, you can use the [+] syntax in the keyOrIndexOrPath parameter to automatically append elements to the end of the current array.

For example, to add two new elements to the end of an existing array in the variable $$movies_array, you can write:

JSONSetElement ($$movies_array
;    [ "[+]" ; "Federer: Twelve Final Days" ; JSONString ]
;    [ "[+]" ; "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" ; JSONString ]
;    [ "[+]" ; "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" ; JSONString ]
)

This enhancement simplifies the process of expanding arrays, ensuring that your code remains clean and concise.

Referencing the Last Element with [:]

Another powerful addition is the ability to reference the last element in a JSON array using the [:] syntax. This can be used in any of the JSON functions to easily access or modify the final element of an array.

For example, the following code retrieves the last element of the $$movies_array above:

JSONGetElement ( $$movies_array ; "[:]" )

This returns Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the last element of the array, providing a straightforward way to access the end of your JSON data structures.

Combined Usage of [+] and [:]

The real power of these enhancements shines when they are used together. You can create an array with one element using the [+] syntax and then add another key-value pair to that element by referencing it with the [:] syntax.

Consider the following example:

JSONSetElement ( "[]" 
;	[ "[+].title" ; "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" ; JSONString ]
;	[ "[:].year" ; 2024 ; JSONNumber ]
)

This code creates an array with one object that contains two key-value pairs, resulting in:

[{"title":"Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga","year":2024}]

Conclusion

The syntax improvements to JSON functions in FileMaker 2024 (v21.0) significantly enhance the flexibility and efficiency of working with JSON data. The new [+] and [:] syntaxes provide developers with more intuitive and powerful tools for appending and referencing elements within JSON arrays. These enhancements streamline code and open up new possibilities for managing JSON data within your FileMaker applications.

Whether you're building complex data structures or simply need to append and access elements more efficiently, these updates are sure to improve your development experience.