The Traditional Approach: JSON over HTTP

In a typical JSON-based integration, one application (the client) sends an HTTP request to another application's API endpoint (the server). The server processes the request, often performing logic like querying a database or calling another service, and then returns a structured JSON response.

How it Works:

1. Request: The client app sends an HTTP request (e.g., GET /api/users/123).
2. Logic & Processing: The server application executes its internal business logic—authenticating the request, querying a database, applying transformations, etc.
3. Response: The server sends back a JSON object containing the result (e.g., { "id": 123, "name": "Alice", "email": "alice@example.com" }).
4. Client-Side Logic: The client application must then contain the logic to parse this JSON, handle potential errors, and integrate the data into its own workflow.