How to check if a string is a valid JSON string in JavaScript without using Try/Catch

Question

Something like:

var jsonString = \'{ \"Id\": 1, \"Name\": \"Coke\" }\';

//should be true
IsJsonString(jsonString);

//should be false
IsJsonString(\"foo\");         


        

Answer 1

You can use the javascript eval() function to verify if it's valid.

e.g.

var jsonString = '{ "Id": 1, "Name": "Coke" }';
var json;

try {
  json = eval(jsonString);
} catch (exception) {
  //It's advisable to always catch an exception since eval() is a javascript executor...
  json = null;
}

if (json) {
  //this is json
}

Alternatively, you can use JSON.parse function from json.org:

try {
  json = JSON.parse(jsonString);
} catch (exception) {
  json = null;
}

if (json) {
  //this is json
}

Hope this helps.

WARNING: eval() is dangerous if someone adds malicious JS code, since it will execute it. Make sure the JSON String is trustworthy, i.e. you got it from a trusted source.

Edit For my 1st solution, it's recommended to do this.

 try {
      json = eval("{" + jsonString + "}");
    } catch (exception) {
      //It's advisable to always catch an exception since eval() is a javascript executor...
      json = null;
    }

To guarantee json-ness. If the jsonString isn't pure JSON, the eval will throw an exception.