Question 1

How do I install json-reformat in Emacs?

Accepted Answer

Install via MELPA by running `M-x package-install RET json-reformat`. Ensure MELPA is configured in your Emacs, then use this command to download and set up the package automatically.

Question 2

What's the difference between json-reformat and Emacs' built-in json-pretty-print?

Accepted Answer

json-reformat offers customizable indentation and optional string decoding, while Emacs' built-in tools provide similar basic formatting. The main advantage is json-reformat's extra features, but for simple tasks, the built-in functions might suffice, especially in Emacs 24.4+.

Question 3

How to change the indentation width in json-reformat?

Accepted Answer

Set the variable `json-reformat:indent-width` to an integer value in your Emacs configuration. For example, add `(setq json-reformat:indent-width 2)` to your init file to use two-space indentation instead of the default four spaces.

Question 4

Does json-reformat validate JSON syntax?

Accepted Answer

No, json-reformat does not validate JSON syntax; it only reformats the text assuming it's valid JSON. For validation, you'd need to use other Emacs packages or external tools to check for errors before formatting.

Question 5

Can json-reformat handle large JSON files efficiently?

Accepted Answer

The README doesn't specify performance limits, but as an Emacs Lisp package, it might slow down with very large files due to memory and processing constraints in Emacs. For huge JSON files, specialized command-line tools like jq are often more efficient.

Question 6

Is json-reformat still actively maintained?

Accepted Answer

The project has badges for builds and coverage, but the README notes that Emacs 24.4 includes similar functions, suggesting reduced maintenance priority. Check the GitHub repository for recent commits or issues to gauge current activity.

JSON Reformat

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