Grammar-driven development of JSON processing applications

This paper describes how to use conventional parser generation tools for the development of JSON processing applications. According to the resulting grammar-driven development approach, JSON processing applications are architected as syntax-directed translators. Thus, the core part of these components can be described in terms of translation schemata and can be automatically generated by using suitable parser generators. It makes it possible to specify critical parts of the application (those interfacing with JSON documents) by using high-level, grammar-oriented descriptions, as well as to promote the separation of JSON processing concerns from other application-specific aspects. In consequence, the production and maintenance of JSON processing applications is facilitated (especially for applications involving JSON documents with intricate nested structures, as well as for applications in which JSON formats are exposed to frequent changes and evolutions in their surface structures). This paper illustrates the approach with JSON-P as the generic JSON processing framework, with ANTLR as the parser generation tool, and with a case study concerning the development of a player for simple man-machine dialogs shaped in terms of JSON documents.