How to parse values from a JSON file in Python

Question

I'm trying to get the values from the json file and the error that I'm getting is TypeError: expected string or buffer. I'm parsing the file correctly and moreover I guess my json file format is also correct. Where I'm going wrong?

Both the files are in the same directory.

Main_file.py

import json

json_data = open('meters_parameters.json')

data = json.loads(json_data)  // TypeError: expected string or buffer
print data
json_data.close()

meters_parameters.json

{
    "cilantro" : [{
        "cem_093":[{
            "kwh":{"function":"3","address":"286","length":"2"},
            "serial_number":{"function":"3","address":"298","length":"2"},
            "slave_id":{"function":"3","address":"15","length":"2"}
        }]
    }],
    "elmeasure" : [{
        "lg1119_d":[{
            "kwh":{"function":"3","address":"286","length":"2"},
            "serial_number":{"function":"3","address":"298","length":"2"},
            "slave_id":{"function":"3","address":"15","length":"2"}
        }]
    }]
}

You meant json_data.close(), right?

TerryA
– TerryA

2013-09-19 04:42:02 +00:00
Commented Sep 19, 2013 at 4:42 — TerryA
– TerryA, Commented Sep 19, 2013 at 4:42
Oops. Typo. Yes it is json_data.close

Praful Bagai
– Praful Bagai

2013-09-19 04:43:11 +00:00
Commented Sep 19, 2013 at 4:43 — Praful Bagai
– Praful Bagai, Commented Sep 19, 2013 at 4:43

Burhan Khalid · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-19 04:44:18Z

11

loads expects a string not a file handle. You need json.load:

import json

with open('meters_parameters.json') as f:
    data = json.load(f)
print data

answered Sep 19, 2013 at 4:44

Burhan Khalid

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1 Comment

TerryA Over a year ago

Arg, forgot about json.load! +1 :)

TerryA · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-19 04:43:52Z

1

You're trying to load the file object, when you want to load everything in the file. Do:

data = json.loads(json_data.read())

.read() gets everything from the file and returns it as a string.

A with statement is much more pythonic here as well:

with open('meters_parameters.json') as myfile:
    data = json.loads(myfile.read())

answered Sep 19, 2013 at 4:43

TerryA

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