Technology

JSON Canonicalization Scheme

RFC 8785 defines a deterministic method for serializing JSON data to ensure consistent cryptographic hashes and digital signatures.

JSON Canonicalization Scheme (JCS) solves the problem of data mutation during transit by enforcing a strict serialization format. It mandates lexicographical sorting of object keys, specific whitespace removal, and IEEE 754 double-precision mapping for numbers. By producing a single, predictable byte stream for any given JSON input, JCS allows developers to generate reliable HMACs and signatures without worrying about platform-specific formatting quirks. This standard is critical for security frameworks like JSON Web Proofs and decentralized identity systems.