How to Convert Nested JSON Structures into Structured Pandas DataFrames?

Unraveling the Mysteries of Nested JSON: Transforming into Pandas DataFrames

The journey to convert nested JSON structures into structured Pandas DataFrames can be daunting, but with the right tools and techniques, it becomes a seamless task. Let's explore the options available for this transformation.

JSON Normalization: A Straightforward Approach

json_normalize provides a powerful solution for flattening nested JSON objects. As we embark on this approach:

<code class="python">import json

with open('myJson.json') as data_file:    
    data = json.load(data_file)  

df = pd.json_normalize(data, 'locations', ['date', 'number', 'name'], 
                    record_prefix='locations_')
print (df)</code>

Output:

  locations_arrTime locations_arrTimeDiffMin locations_depTime  \
0                                                        06:32   
1             06:37                        1             06:40   
2             08:24                        1                     

  locations_depTimeDiffMin           locations_name locations_platform  \
0                        0  Spital am Pyhrn Bahnhof                  2   
1                        0  Windischgarsten Bahnhof                  2   
2                                    Linz/Donau Hbf               1A-B   

  locations_stationIdx locations_track number    name        date  
0                    0          R 3932         R 3932  01.10.2016  
1                    1                         R 3932  01.10.2016  
2                   22                         R 3932  01.10.2016 

Parsing Name and Grouping for Concatenation

However, if flattening is not your ultimate goal, you can embrace an alternative approach:

<code class="python">df = pd.read_json("myJson.json")
df.locations = pd.DataFrame(df.locations.values.tolist())['name']
df = df.groupby(['date','name','number'])['locations'].apply(','.join).reset_index()
print (df)</code>

Output:

        date    name                                          locations
0 2016-01-10  R 3932         Spital am Pyhrn Bahnhof,Windischgarsten Bahnho... 

This technique enables you to concatenate the locations without compromising the nesting structure.

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