Understand JSON Type: Native JSON validation (MySQL 5.7+), stores as binary, validates on INSERT, use for flexible schemas

Master Extraction: JSON_EXTRACT() or -> gets JSON, ->> gets text, $.path syntax for nested data, JSON_UNQUOTE() removes quotes

Learn Modification: JSON_SET() updates values, JSON_INSERT() adds new, JSON_REMOVE() deletes, JSON_REPLACE() updates existing only

Master Creation: JSON_OBJECT() creates objects, JSON_ARRAY() creates arrays, JSON_MERGE() combines, JSON_ARRAYAGG() aggregates

Understand Indexing: Cannot index JSON directly, use generated columns (STORED), create index on generated column, 100x faster queries

Learn Search: JSON_CONTAINS() checks containment, JSON_SEARCH() finds keys, JSON_KEYS() lists keys, JSON_LENGTH() gets array length

Understand JSON Type: Native JSON validation (MySQL 5.7+), stores as binary, validates on INSERT, use for flexible schemas

Master Extraction: JSON_EXTRACT() or -> gets JSON, ->> gets text, $.path syntax for nested data, JSON_UNQUOTE() removes quotes

Learn Modification: JSON_SET() updates values, JSON_INSERT() adds new, JSON_REMOVE() deletes, JSON_REPLACE() updates existing only

Master Creation: JSON_OBJECT() creates objects, JSON_ARRAY() creates arrays, JSON_MERGE() combines, JSON_ARRAYAGG() aggregates

Understand Indexing: Cannot index JSON directly, use generated columns (STORED), create index on generated column, 100x faster queries

Learn Search: JSON_CONTAINS() checks containment, JSON_SEARCH() finds keys, JSON_KEYS() lists keys, JSON_LENGTH() gets array length