JSON

The JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) connector bridges the gap between unstructured documents and structured analytics. It allows users to query JSON files such as single objects, nested arrays, or log directories using standard SQL without writing parsers, flattening data, or managing schema drift by hand.

At its core, the connector treats each JSON object as a row and each key as a column. Arrays are automatically expanded into related records, while nested structures are dynamically mapped into tabular form. When you query a JSON file, the connector infers a schema on the fly, transforming what’s often semi-structured or irregular data into something your query engine can reason about.

This connector is designed for both simplicity and precision. With just a few lines of configuration, you can open up entire datasets for exploration. Yet, for more complex files where nesting runs deep or arrays contain mixed types, you can fine-tune behavior using a rich set of options that control how Metaform interprets the document structure.