AXONNext: The 2026 Edition of eXtended Object Notation

Overview

AXON Next is a modernized text-based data interchange format designed to retain the context and meaning often lost in traditional data formats like JSON. This version, the 2026 edition, expands upon the original AXON language with enhancements that cater to the complexities of contemporary data usage while preserving human readability. Key features include support for exact decimals, real temporals, sets, tuples, named records, and a deterministic canonical form.

Features

• Rich Data Types: AXON supports integers, floats, exact decimals (e.g., 19.99D), and native date representations, ensuring precision and clarity in data representation.
• Collections: The format encompasses various types of collections, including lists, tuples, maps, ordered maps, and sets, keeping data organized and accessible.
• Named Nodes: Use of namespaced nodes (e.g., inventory/item) allows for structured and meaningful data representation that is easy to understand.
• Ergonomics and Safety: Includes features like comments, optional commas, and strict duplicate key rejection to enhance usability and security.
• Deterministic Canonical Form: AXON ensures that the same value produces a consistent byte sequence, which is crucial for checksum and signature stability.
• Internationalization: Enforces strict UTF-8 compliance and allows for Unicode identifiers, making it robust for global applications.

Language Comparison

AXON stands out when compared to other data languages for its advanced capabilities:

Implementations

There are two verified implementations of AXON Next, both at version 1.0.0:

1. axonnext: A Python reference implementation that adheres to the 2026 specification, providing users with a consistent foundation for interaction with AXON data.
2. serde_axon: A Rust implementation that aligns with Serde for text serialization, designed for environments without a standard library.

import axon2
from axon2 import loads2026, dumps2026

# Serializing and deserializing data with AXON
axon2.dumps([{'b': 2, 'a': 1}])
loads2026('point{label:"p" 10 20}')

Use Cases and Applications

AXON is not merely a theoretical format; it serves real-world applications as well. For instance, FoodML (FoodBank Markup Language) is built entirely on AXON, demonstrating its applicability in sectors requiring data integrity and security.

Conclusion

AXON Next represents a significant advancement in data representation, merging simplicity and power. By addressing the shortcomings of existing formats and providing a robust framework for data interchange, it positions itself as a sophisticated choice for developers and organizations alike who require precise and reliable data handling.