Skip to main content
ubuntuask.com

Back to all posts

How to Modify A Json File In A For Loop In A Bash Script?

Published on
4 min read
How to Modify A Json File In A For Loop In A Bash Script? image

Best Bash Script Tools to Buy in October 2025

1 Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali

Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali

BUY & SAVE
$23.74 $39.99
Save 41%
Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali
2 Learning the bash Shell: Unix Shell Programming (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))

Learning the bash Shell: Unix Shell Programming (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))

  • AFFORDABLE PRICES ON QUALITY USED BOOKS FOR BUDGET-CONSCIOUS BUYERS.
  • ECO-FRIENDLY CHOICE: REUSE AND RECYCLE BY PURCHASING PRE-OWNED BOOKS.
  • THOROUGHLY CHECKED: ENJOY RELIABLE CONDITION AND GREAT READING VALUE.
BUY & SAVE
$22.15 $44.99
Save 51%
Learning the bash Shell: Unix Shell Programming (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))
3 Shell Scripting: Expert Recipes for Linux, Bash, and more

Shell Scripting: Expert Recipes for Linux, Bash, and more

BUY & SAVE
$38.49 $49.99
Save 23%
Shell Scripting: Expert Recipes for Linux, Bash, and more
4 Command Line Fundamentals: Learn to use the Unix command-line tools and Bash shell scripting

Command Line Fundamentals: Learn to use the Unix command-line tools and Bash shell scripting

BUY & SAVE
$37.98
Command Line Fundamentals: Learn to use the Unix command-line tools and Bash shell scripting
5 Classic Shell Scripting

Classic Shell Scripting

BUY & SAVE
$25.73 $49.99
Save 49%
Classic Shell Scripting
6 Shell Scripting: How to Automate Command Line Tasks Using Bash Scripting and Shell Programming

Shell Scripting: How to Automate Command Line Tasks Using Bash Scripting and Shell Programming

BUY & SAVE
$2.99
Shell Scripting: How to Automate Command Line Tasks Using Bash Scripting and Shell Programming
7 BASH Guide

BASH Guide

BUY & SAVE
$0.99
BASH Guide
+
ONE MORE?

To modify a JSON file in a for loop in a Bash script, you can use tools like jq to parse and manipulate the JSON data. In the for loop, you can read the JSON file using jq, make the necessary modifications, and then save the changes back to the file. This can be done by redirecting the modified output to a temporary file and then replacing the original file with the updated contents. Additionally, you can loop through the JSON data elements and use conditional statements or other logic to determine how to modify each element. By combining Bash scripting with tools like jq, you can efficiently process and modify JSON data in a loop.

How to sort JSON data in a bash script?

You can use the jq tool in a bash script to sort JSON data. Here's an example script that sorts JSON data based on a specific key:

#!/bin/bash

json_data='{"users": [{"name": "Alice", "age": 30}, {"name": "Bob", "age": 25}, {"name": "Charlie", "age": 35}]}'

sorted_data=$(echo $json_data | jq '.users | sort_by(.age)')

echo $sorted_data

In this script, the jq command is used to sort the array of users based on their age. The sort_by(.age) function sorts the elements of the array based on the value of the "age" key in each object.

You can run this script in a terminal to see the sorted JSON data.

What is the difference between a JSON file and a regular text file in a bash script?

JSON file is a specific format of a text file, typically used for storing structured data. JSON files contain data in a key-value pair format, with nested structures and arrays. They are commonly used for data interchange between servers and web applications.

On the other hand, a regular text file in a bash script can contain any kind of textual data, without any specific structure or format requirements. It can be used for storing configuration settings, logs, or any other type of textual information.

In summary, the main difference between a JSON file and a regular text file in a bash script is the structure and format of the data they contain. JSON files are used for structured data, while regular text files can be used for any type of textual information.

How to perform CRUD operations on a JSON file using a bash script?

To perform CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete) on a JSON file using a bash script, you can use tools like jq which is a lightweight and flexible command-line JSON processor. Here's an example of how you can use jq to perform CRUD operations on a JSON file:

  1. Create (Add data to JSON file):

# Create a new JSON object data='{"name": "John Doe", "age": 30}'

Append the new object to the JSON file

echo $data | jq '.[]' >> data.json

  1. Read (Retrieve data from JSON file):

# Read and display the contents of the JSON file jq '.' data.json

  1. Update (Modify data in JSON file):

# Update a value in the JSON file jq '.[0].age = 31' data.json > temp.json mv temp.json data.json

  1. Delete (Remove data from JSON file):

# Delete an object from the JSON file jq 'del(.[] | select(.name == "John Doe"))' data.json > temp.json mv temp.json data.json

Make sure to change the JSON file name (data.json) and the data manipulation as per your requirement. Also, make sure to install jq before running the script.

What is the syntax for accessing JSON objects in a bash script?

To access JSON objects in a bash script, you can use tools like jq. Here is an example of the syntax to access a JSON object with jq:

#!/bin/bash

Parse a JSON string

json='{"name": "Alice", "age": 30}' name=$(echo "$json" | jq -r '.name') age=$(echo "$json" | jq -r '.age')

echo "Name: $name" echo "Age: $age"

In this script, we use jq to parse the JSON string and extract the values of the name and age keys. The -r option is used with jq to output raw strings without quotes.

What is the purpose of using sed in modifying JSON files in a bash script?

The purpose of using sed in modifying JSON files in a bash script is to make quick and simple updates to the file without having to manually open and edit it. Sed is a versatile text-processing tool that allows for the substitution of specific patterns within a file, making it ideal for making changes to JSON files. This can be useful for automating tasks or customizing configurations in a script.