JSON vs. Pickle:
-
Security:
- JSON: JSON is a text-based data format that is inherently safer for handling untrusted data. It only supports basic data types like strings, numbers, arrays, and objects, which reduces the risk of executing arbitrary code.
- Pickle: Pickle is a Python-specific binary serialization format that can serialize and deserialize complex Python objects. However, it can execute arbitrary code during deserialization, making it unsafe for handling untrusted data.
-
Interoperability (the ability of computer systems or software to exchange and make use of information):
- JSON: JSON is language-agnostic and widely used across different programming environments, making it ideal for data interchange between systems.
- Pickle: Pickle is specific to Python, which limits its use in cross-language applications.
-
Readability:
- JSON: Being a text format, JSON is human-readable and easy to debug.
- Pickle: Pickle produces binary data, which is not human-readable and harder to debug.
For these reasons, JSON is preferred over Pickle when dealing with untrusted data, as it minimizes security risks and offers better interoperability and readability.