# Point of order, JSON vs Javascript Object

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/point-of-order-json-vs-javascript-object/10305>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [17 April 2019 21:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/point-of-order-json-vs-javascript-object/10305 "2019-04-17T21:17:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2019 21:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/point-of-order-json-vs-javascript-object/10305/1 "2019-04-17T21:17:28Z")

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There seems to be some confusion as to what is meant by the term JSON. Am I correct in saying that JSON is a string representation of an object, and is therefore always a string. So these, for example are _not_ assigning JSON values

```auto
msg.payload = {"a": 0, "value": "fred"}
msg.payload = {a:0, value: "fred"}

```

whereas this _is_ assigning a JSON value

```auto
msg.payload = '{"a": 0, "value": "fred"}'

```

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![knolleary](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/knolleary/32/3_2.png) [@knolleary](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/knolleary)\
**Post date:** [17 April 2019 22:00 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/point-of-order-json-vs-javascript-object/10305/2 "2019-04-17T22:00:19Z")

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Correct.

JSON is a String representation of a JavaScript Object.