Which format does JSON use to structure data?

JSON, which stands for JavaScript Object Notation, uses a hierarchical format that is based on key-value pairs to structure data. This format allows data to be organized in a way that reflects logical relationships, making it easy to read and understand.

In JSON, data is represented as objects enclosed in braces, where each key is a string followed by a colon and its corresponding value, which can be a string, number, boolean, array, or another object. This nested structure enables the representation of complex data types and relationships, which is crucial for data interchange between systems.

The other formats mentioned do not capture this hierarchical organization effectively. For example, an array-based format focuses primarily on lists of items rather than key-value relationships. A flat file format would imply a simple, linear structure without complex nesting, while a tag-based format uses tags similar to XML, which is not how JSON represents data.