How to Subtract JSON Objects in Python: Filtering One JSON File with Another

Описание: Learn how to remove unwanted objects from a JSON file in Python using key-value matching from another JSON file. Step-by-step guide included!
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How to Subtract JSON Objects in Python: Filtering One JSON File with Another

Handling JSON data in Python often requires manipulation, such as filtering out certain records based on other datasets. If you've ever found yourself with two JSON files and needed to remove certain objects from the first file based on criteria found in the second, you're in the right place! In this post, we'll tackle the problem of subtracting JSON objects using Python, providing a clear solution with a step-by-step breakdown.

The Problem at Hand: Subtracting JSON Objects

Imagine you have two JSON files: the first contains various records of virtual machines, and the second contains a list of virtual machine names that you want to filter out from the first file. Your goal is to produce a third file (or a modified version of the first file) that only includes records not present in the second file based on the vmName key.

Example: Files Overview

File 1 (vm_records.json): This file lists various virtual machines with attributes like Admin, ID, OS type, public IPs, resource group, and vmName.

File 2 (filter.json): This file contains a list of vmName values that should be excluded from File 1.

Sample Data

Here’s a brief look at what these files might look like:

File 1 (JSON):

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

File 2 (JSON):

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

Desired Output

The expected output (or File 3) should only contain the records from File 1 that are not matching the vmName from File 2:

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

The Solution: Implementing the Logic in Python

To achieve this result, we need a function that performs the following steps:

Create a copy of the records from File 1.

Iterate through the records in File 2.

For each record in File 2, check if it exists in File 1 by comparing the vmName attribute.

Remove matching records from the copy of File 1.

Return the modified copy as the result.

Python Code

Here’s the implementation of the above logic:

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

Usage

To use the above function, you can simply call it with File 1 and File 2 as arguments:

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

Conclusion

Filtering out JSON objects based on criteria from another JSON file is straightforward with Python. By using the methods we discussed, you can effectively manage and manipulate your data. This approach not only tidies your dataset but also allows for efficient data management processes in your applications.

Now, with this knowledge, you're ready to subtract JSON objects efficiently. Happy coding!