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What does "stringify" mean in programming?
stringify is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
To convert a value to its string representation. JSON.stringify() is the most common example: it converts a JavaScript object into a JSON-formatted string.
Example
"const body = JSON.stringify({ name: 'Alice' }); // result: '{"name":"Alice"}'"
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| stringify | verb (infinitive) | To convert a value to its string representation | "Stringify the object before sending it in the request body." |
| stringified | past tense | Converted to a string | "The config was stringified and written to a file." |
| stringifying | gerund | Converting to a string | "Stringifying a circular object throws an error in JSON.stringify()." |
Related terms
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