Why is JSON praised in programming?

JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is widely praised in programming mainly because it is human-readable and easy to parse. This readability means that developers can quickly understand the structure and contents of the data, facilitating easier debugging and collaboration. The straightforward syntax of JSON, which consists of key-value pairs and arrays, allows programmers to easily identify and manage the data they are working with.

Additionally, many languages and libraries offer built-in support for parsing and generating JSON, making it an efficient choice for data interchange between systems, particularly in web APIs. This ease of parsing contributes to its popularity in various applications, from web development to configuration files.

The other options do not accurately reflect the characteristics of JSON. The format does not require complex algorithms, nor does it need special software to interpret; most programming environments can easily handle JSON. Furthermore, while JSON is a prevalent format, it is not the only option available for data interchange, as other formats like XML and YAML also exist and are used in various contexts.