Reading JSON file using json.load

Question

I have a simple file (username.json) as shown below:

{"lastname": "doe", "firstname": "john"}

I use the following code to read the file:

with open(filename) as file_obj:
    dictionary = json.load(file_obj)
    print(dictionary['firstname'])

But when I print the dictionary value for the key "firstname" it prints nothing.

When I print the dictionary I get the following:

{u'lastname': u'doe', u'firstname': u'john'}

I know that "u" stands for unicode but for some reason I am not able to use the firstname and lastname keys.

UPDATE:

For some reason it works now!

Wait, what do you mean by not being able to use the firstname and lastname keys? — Shadow
– Shadow, Commented Nov 21, 2017 at 1:32

Shadow · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-21 01:31:41Z

1

json.loads converts a json object to the python equivalent.

This means it uses lists and dicts instead of arrays and objects. You are seeing the representation of the former.

doctionary["firstname"] will get you the value in first name (ie, "doe") while it's still a python object.

If you want to see json again, you'll need to pass it through json.dumps - but of course you won't be able to manipulate it as above when in that format.

answered Nov 21, 2017 at 1:31

Shadow

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2 Comments

Shadow Over a year ago

You should include that in your question then.

Charles Duffy Over a year ago

Having an upvoted answer to a question blocks the OP from self-deleting it. Given as they don't seem to actually have a reproducible problem, this seems a bit unfortunate.

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