What structure does JSON use to store its data?

JSON, which stands for JavaScript Object Notation, utilizes key-value pairs as its fundamental structure for storing data. This method of data organization allows for the pairing of a unique key with a specific value, creating an easy-to-read and easy-to-understand format for both humans and machines.

In a JSON object, each key is a string that is used to identify the associated value, which can be of various types, including string, number, object, array, boolean, or null. This flexibility in value types, combined with the clear association of keys, makes JSON a widely-used format for data interchange in web services and APIs.

The use of key-value pairs allows for hierarchical data representation, enabling the creation of complex data structures by nesting objects and arrays within one another. This is particularly useful for representing structured data and maintaining relationships between different entities.

Other structures like lists of arrays or ordered lists do not encompass the flexibility and descriptive power of key-value pairs, while a binary tree is a specific data structure that does not apply to the general use case of JSON. Thus, the correct description of JSON's data storage structure is indeed key-value pairs.