How to Combine Two JSON Objects with Common Keys in Python

A comprehensive guide on how to merge two JSON objects in Python by joining them on a common key, complete with code examples and explanations.
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How to Combine Two JSON Objects with Common Keys in Python

When working with APIs, you may often encounter the need to combine multiple JSON responses into a single, coherent structure. This can be particularly useful when you want to gather related information from different sources. In this post, we'll explore how to combine two JSON objects based on a shared key – specifically, the sha key, which is common in our scenarios.

This blog will address a commonly faced problem: merging two JSON objects returned by different API endpoints, where the second set of JSON data contains multiple entries related by a common key. Let's break down the problem clearly first.

The Problem

You have two JSON objects from different REST API endpoints:

First JSON object (let's call this left) consists of records with project details which include a unique identifier (id), a project_id, a created_at timestamp, and a sha value.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Second JSON object (let's call this right) provides various results tied to different sha values. It contains multiple records sharing the same sha key.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Desired Result

Your goal is to merge these two objects into a single JSON structure that arranges the results under each project entry based on the shared sha values.

The expected output format would look something like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The Solution

To achieve this, we can utilize the convtools library in Python, which allows for easy manipulation and transformation of collections like JSON objects. Below, I’ll provide a clear and concise way to implement the solution.

Step 1: Install convtools

First, ensure you have installed the convtools library. You can install it via pip:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Write the Code

Here's the step-by-step code you would use to combine these JSON objects:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Code

Data Preparation: We define our two JSON arrays (left and right).

Convtools Import: We import the convtools library to manage our JSON transformations.

Conversion: The join method creates a relationship between the two collections based on the sha key. The group_by method aggregates results under each unique project entry and includes related results (from the right collection) in an array.

Output: Finally, we convert the result back to a JSON-formatted string that can be printed or used further in your application.

Now, you have a unified JSON object that neatly combines the project metadata with all the corresponding results from the second JSON object.

Conclusion

Combining JSON objects based on common keys can appear daunting, but with the right libraries and methods in Python, it becomes straightforward. By adopting the convtools library, you can streamline your transformation processes and efficiently manage JSON data from multiple sources, enhancing your API interactions.

If you're looking to enhance your skills in Python or further explore working with JSON, this is a great starting point! Don't hesitate to experiment with your own data structures and transformations!