What is it?

Ajax JSON Edit is an ajax, web-based visual JSON editor. One of the goals of this application is to be able to edit, create &manage JSON files from any Internet browser. But going a step further, when JSON is used to represent programming files, this application become a powerful IDE. With the use of schema definitions for various file types Ajax JSON Edit becomes a dynamic way of managing code. Notice the example in my application is a mixture of html, php and javascript. To see a text file representing the same code Click Here.

Download the Zip file with my code here.

My Inspiration

This is a project I've wanted to start for years. I choose this application for the Yahoo Hack day because it's something I can greatly use anyway... and because it was fun. I have found that writing code one character at a time is inefficient. Technologies like Intellisense in modern IDE's have improved this. However, I believe programming can be accomplished using a visual editor such as the one I've implemented.

A personal incentive I have for this application is that I have dealt with RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury... what most people think of as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) in my hands for years due to too much typing. I am constantly in search for ways to interact with a computer while limiting the repetitive motions of my fingers. Voice Recognition technology has become very powerful for dictating documents and emails, but useless for writing code.

With my application you can do the majority of the commands with about 8 different keys on the keyboard (see the section "About this Prototype" below). Additionally this application could be integrated with Voice Rec software where the user would have a small set of commands.

About this Prototype

With less than 24 hours spent on this application, I was quite proud of how much I accomplished. That being said, this is just a prototype with most features not working. When you select a node the Options panel on the right displays commands for that node. Only the Copy and Paste have been implemented; however, even their implementations are buggy.

To play around with the application, don't use your mouse... use your keyboard. Use the arrow keys to traverse the file tree and the PageUp/PageDown to select options. Use the Enter/Return key to select an option and the Escape key to deselect.

The Big Picture

The goal is to make things simple and manageable. Once fully implemented this application will make a programmer's life easier by being smart. I could write paragraphs about how this will work, but instead I'll leave you with a few pictures of what's possible :~)