JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format widely used for storing and exchanging structured or semi-structured data. JSON allows hierarchical (tree-like) structures, such as nested objects and arrays, to be serialized into a textual representation.
Option A (Plain text format): Correct. JSON files are stored as plain text, making them human-readable and language-independent.
Option B (Plain string format): Correct. JSON objects are transmitted as strings across networks (e.g., via APIs, RESTful services).
Option C: Incorrect. JSON does not serialize into "any format," but specifically into text/string-based formats.
Option D: Correct. Since JSON is both plain text and transmitted as string format, the right answer is both A and B.
Option E: Incorrect.
Thus, JSON serializes hierarchical data into plain text and string formats.
Reference:
DASCA Data Scientist Knowledge Framework (DSKF) - Data Engineering Tools: Data Serialization Formats (JSON, XML, Avro).