A Markdown syntax for describing JSON, JSON Schema, and other data structures in a human-readable format.
MSON (Markdown Syntax for Object Notation) is a plain-text format for describing data structures like JSON, JSON Schema, XML, or YAML in a human-readable way. It solves the problem of discussing and validating data structures by providing a common, markup-agnostic language that can be converted into various output formats. Originally developed as part of API Blueprint, it helps describe HTTP payloads and simplify content negotiation.
API designers, technical writers, and developers who need to document, validate, or negotiate data structures in APIs or other data-exchange scenarios. It's particularly useful for teams working with multiple representation formats.
Developers choose MSON because it combines the simplicity of Markdown with the precision needed for data modeling, enabling clear communication about data structures without being tied to a specific serialization format. Its integration with API Blueprint makes it a powerful tool for API description and validation.
Markdown Syntax for Object Notation
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Uses familiar Markdown lists and headers to define data structures, making them easy to write and discuss in plain text, as shown in examples like the simple 'Product' object.
Can output JSON, JSON Schema, XML, or YAML from a single MSON description, facilitating markup-agnostic resource descriptions and content negotiation.
Supports named types, references, and mixins for DRY data modeling, demonstrated in the 'Address' and 'User' examples with the 'Include' keyword.
Enables validation of HTTP payloads through derived JSON Schema, making it a natural fit for API Blueprint projects and API documentation.
The README explicitly states it does not support all JSON Schema keywords, such as uniqueItems or exclusiveMinimum, restricting its use for complex validation scenarios.
Advanced features like multi-line descriptions require careful use of keywords like 'Properties' to avoid parsing conflicts, which can be error-prone and less intuitive.
Developed primarily for API Blueprint by Apiary, which may result in limited tooling and community support outside of API documentation contexts.