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Dev.to
Dev.to
6/15/2026
I Thought Formatting JSON Solved Everything. I Was Wrong.

I Thought Formatting JSON Solved Everything. I Was Wrong.

Short summary

The author initially believed JSON formatting was the complete solution to working with structured data but discovered it only makes content readable, not navigable. Large payloads require more than formatting—developers also need validation, error detection, and efficient structure exploration. The broader lesson: the first solution to a problem is often incomplete; developers need entire workflows, not single features.

  • Formatting makes JSON readable but not navigable for large payloads
  • Effective developer tools need multiple features: formatting, validation, error detection, and exploration
  • The first solution to a problem is often incomplete; comprehensive workflows matter more than single features

Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.

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