How to Compare Two JSON Files and Retrieve a Subset Using PowerShell

Learn how to easily compare two JSON files in PowerShell and retrieve specific records based on matching IDs.
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Comparing JSON Files in PowerShell: A Step-by-Step Guide

Working with JSON data in PowerShell can be challenging, especially when you're trying to compare two JSON files and retrieve specific subsets of data based on certain conditions. In this guide, we will walk through an example to solve the problem of matching entries between two JSON files based on their id attributes. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of how to achieve this in PowerShell.

Problem Overview

You have two JSON files:

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Problem Example

Before we dive into the solution, here’s what the contents of the two JSON files look like:

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Solution Steps

1. Load JSON Files

First, we need to load both JSON files into PowerShell variables. You can do this using the Get-Content command along with ConvertFrom-Json.

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2. Filter Matching IDs

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3. Display the Output

Now that we have the matching records, we can simply output them. The result will display all matching ids along with their properties.

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Example Output

The output will look like this:

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4. Additional Options

You can then go further to save the results to a CSV, output them back to JSON, or use them as needed:

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Conclusion

In this guide, we explored how to compare two JSON files in PowerShell and retrieve a subset of data based on matching IDs. By utilizing Where-Object, we were able to effectively filter and return the required records. This technique is particularly useful in data processing tasks where JSON files are frequently used.

By following the steps outlined here, you should be able to apply these principles to your own data comparison needs in PowerShell. Happy scripting!