JSON editor features with Visual Studio 2013

Introduction

Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 added new JSON editor(JSON file type) to Visual Studio and the features are Colorization, Syntax validation, Outlining and Automatic brace completion.We will see the feature details one by one.

Feature#1 : Add New Item - JSON File:

In order to add JSON file to Web application project > Right Click > Add > New Item > Web > Markup > JSON File. It creates .json file with default one brace opened and closed.

Feature#2 : Colorization:

Once the file is opened in JSON editor, it has distinct colors to types like below

jsoneditor_colorization_visualstudio2013

Feature#3 : Syntax validation:

If we build the project, visual studio validates JSON code and provides syntax errors as warnings in Error List window. If you double click on error it takes you to exact error location with in the file. Below images shows the syntax errors with in the JSON file.

Feature#4 : Outlining

Outlining (collapse or expanding content) is available for JSON content for easier navigation. If we have large JSON file, this feature will be more useful.

Feature#5 : Automatic brace completion

When we type brace, bracket or quote then matching close character will be automatically inserted after the cursor.

jsoneditor_automatic_brace_completion_visualstudio2013

Change Settings

If you want to change any setting for JSON editor you can do at Tools > Options (search for json) > Text Editor > JSON.

json_tools_options_settings_visualstudio2013

Hope we can have more features from next releases.