How to json SQLServer in PostgreSQL

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How do I generate, parse, and query JSON in SQL Server?

JSON support in SQL Server lets you shape result sets as JSON, parse JSON text, and query JSON values straight in T-SQL.

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Description

Table of Contents

Why use JSON features in SQL Server?

Embed hierarchical data in a single column, return JSON to web apps, and exchange data with NoSQL systems without leaving T-SQL.

How do I create JSON from rows?

Use FOR JSON at the end of a SELECT to serialize result sets. Choose PATH for nested objects or AUTO for quick, flat output.

Example

SELECT id, name, price FROM Products FOR JSON PATH;

How do I shred incoming JSON?

Call OPENJSON() to split JSON text into rows, optionally applying a schema for typed columns.

Example

SELECT * FROM OPENJSON(@jsonCart) WITH (product_id INT, quantity INT);

How can I grab a single value?

JSON_VALUE() extracts a scalar, while JSON_QUERY() returns an object or array. Both accept a JSON path string.

Example

SELECT JSON_VALUE(order_json,'$.total_amount') AS total FROM Orders;

Can I index JSON for speed?

Create a computed column using JSON_VALUE() and add a normal B-tree index, or use a full-text index for entire documents.

Best practices

Validate JSON with ISJSON() before processing; store only necessary fragments to avoid bloated rows; keep paths stable for maintainability.

Why How to json SQLServer in PostgreSQL is important

How to json SQLServer in PostgreSQL Example Usage


-- Ingest a shopping cart JSON array sent from a web client
DECLARE @cart NVARCHAR(MAX) = '[{"product_id":3,"quantity":2},{"product_id":5,"quantity":1}]';

INSERT INTO OrderItems (order_id, product_id, quantity)
SELECT  @OrderId,
        c.product_id,
        c.quantity
FROM   OPENJSON(@cart)
       WITH (product_id INT, quantity INT) AS c;

How to json SQLServer in PostgreSQL Syntax


-- Serialize result sets -------------------------------------------------
SELECT col_list
FROM   table_source
[WHERE  conditions]
FOR JSON {AUTO | PATH} [ , ROOT('rootName') ] [ , INCLUDE_NULL_VALUES ]

-- Parse JSON into rows ---------------------------------------------------
OPENJSON ( json_expression [ , json_path ] )
    [ WITH ( column_definition_list ) ]

-- Extract values ---------------------------------------------------------
JSON_VALUE ( expression , path )          -- returns NVARCHAR(4000)
JSON_QUERY ( expression , path )          -- returns NVARCHAR(max)
JSON_MODIFY( expression , path , value )  -- updates JSON text

-- Check validity ---------------------------------------------------------
ISJSON ( expression )                     -- 1 = valid, 0 = invalid

-- Ecommerce sample: output an order as JSON ------------------------------
SELECT o.id AS orderId,
       o.order_date AS orderDate,
       o.total_amount AS total,
       (
         SELECT oi.product_id   AS productId,
                p.name          AS productName,
                oi.quantity     AS qty,
                p.price         AS unitPrice
         FROM   OrderItems oi
         JOIN   Products   p ON p.id = oi.product_id
         WHERE  oi.order_id = o.id
         FOR JSON PATH
       ) AS items
FROM   Orders o
WHERE  o.id = 101
FOR JSON PATH, ROOT('order');

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is JSON stored as a native type in SQL Server?

No. JSON is stored as NVARCHAR. Functions parse on the fly.

Can I update a single field inside JSON?

Yes. Use JSON_MODIFY(column,'$.path',newValue) inside an UPDATE statement.

Want to learn about other SQL terms?

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