JavaScript Object Notation, commonly known as JSON, is a lightweight data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write. It is primarily used to transmit data between a server and a web application as an alternative to XML. JSON's syntax is derived from JavaScript, making it a natural fit for web development. One of the key advantages of JSON is its simplicity and ease of use. It represents data as key-value pairs, which can be easily parsed and generated by programming languages. This makes JSON a popular choice for APIs and configuration files, facilitating seamless data exchange across different platforms.