Python - Difference between json.dump() and json.dumps()

JSON is a lightweight data format for data interchange which can be easily read and written by humans, easily parsed and generated by machines. It is a complete language-independent text format. To work with JSON data, Python has a built-in package called json. 

Note: For more information, refer to Working With JSON Data in Python

json.dumps()

json.dumps() method can convert a Python object into a JSON string.

Syntax: json.dumps(dict, indent) 

Parameters:

• dictionary – name of dictionary which should be converted to JSON object.
• indent – defines the number of units for indentation

Example: 

# Python program to convert 
# Python to JSON 
   
   
import json 
   
# Data to be written 
dictionary ={ 
  "id": "04", 
  "name": "sunil", 
  "department": "HR"
} 
   
# Serializing json  
json_object = json.dumps(dictionary, indent = 4) 
print(json_object)

Output:

{
    "department": "HR",
    "id": "04",
    "name": "sunil"
}

Python objects and their equivalent conversion to JSON:

json.dump()

json.dump() method can be used for writing to JSON file.

Syntax: json.dump(dict, file_pointer) 

Parameters:

• dictionary – name of dictionary which should be converted to JSON object.
• file pointer – pointer of the file opened in write or append mode.

Example: 

# Python program to write JSON
# to a file
 
 
import json
 
# Data to be written
dictionary ={
    "name" : "sathiyajith",
    "rollno" : 56,
    "cgpa" : 8.6,
    "phonenumber" : "9976770500"
}
 
with open("sample.json", "w") as outfile:
    json.dump(dictionary, outfile)

Output:

Let us see the differences in a tabular form -: