What's the Ideal JSON Date Format for Maximum Compatibility and Readability?

The Ideal JSON Date Format: Navigating the Standards

The world of JSON date formats presents a confusing array of possibilities. From ".NET JavaScriptSerializer" to "JavaScript built-in JSON object," developers face a dilemma when determining the "right" format.

Defining the Standard

While JSON itself does not specify a designated format for dates, JavaScript, a popular language for JSON manipulation, does. It advocates for the format emitted by the Date object's toJSON method:

2012-04-23T18:25:43.511Z

Reasons for the Superiority of ISO 8601 Format

This format is recommended for several sound reasons:

• Human Readability: It's both legible and succinct, making it easily understandable for users.
• Sorting Accuracy: The format enables proper date sorting, ensuring chronological order.
• Fractional Seconds Inclusion: It allows for the inclusion of fractional seconds, aiding in precise time reconstruction.
• ISO 8601 Compliance: It aligns with the well-established ISO 8601 date standard, recognized internationally.
• Endorsement by Multiple Organizations: W3C, RFC3339, and even XKCD have endorsed ISO 8601.

Portability Considerations

Despite the advantages of the ISO 8601 format, it's crucial to note that most date libraries understand "milliseconds since 1970." As a result, ThiefMaster's suggestion of using this format for portability is valid.

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