Replace list values in JSON using jq in Bash

Learn how to effectively iterate over list elements in JSON and replace them using `jq` in Bash with this step-by-step guide.
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How to Replace List Values in JSON using jq in Bash

Working with JSON data can often pose challenges, especially when it comes to modifying elements within it. If you have a JSON file and need to iterate over list elements to replace each with a different value, you might find yourself in a tricky situation. In this post, we will answer the question of how to replace list values in a JSON file using jq and Bash.

The Problem

You may encounter a scenario where you have a JSON object that includes a list, and you want to replace each element in that list with a randomly generated value. For instance, consider the following JSON structure:

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

In this example, the upper_one list contains product IDs. The goal is to replace these IDs with randomly generated numbers, resulting in a final output like this:

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

However, your initial attempts might give an output that seems disorganized and does not accomplish the goal as intended. Let's see how we can solve this efficiently!

The Solution

To achieve the desired output, we can follow a structured approach using Bash and jq. Below is a bash script that accomplishes the task effectively.

Step-by-Step Script Explanation

Here's how the script works:

Reading the JSON File: Use jq to read the contents of the upper_one array from the JSON file.

Generate Random Values: For each element in the list, generate a random number.

Store New IDs: Save these newly generated random numbers in an array.

Update the JSON: Finally, replace the original list with the newly generated random numbers.

The Bash Script

Here’s the complete script for the task:

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

How It Works

The jq command reads each product ID from the upper_one list.

A random number between 1 and 10 is generated for each product and stored in the newIds array.

Finally, we invoke jq again, passing the new list to replace the original list in the JSON.

Conclusion

This method not only iterates over the list elements but also generates new values seamlessly, allowing you to manage JSON data effectively using Bash and jq. With this approach, you can ensure your output is clean and exactly what you need.

Now, when working with JSON files that need modification, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to handle list values efficiently. Happy coding!