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Instead of going JSON a json string and using $.parseJSON, I need to take my object and store it in a variable as string representing JSON.

(A library I'm dealing with expects a malformed JSON type so I need to mess around with it to get it to work.)

What's the best way to do this?

Edit: You should use the json2.js library from Douglas Crockford instead of implementing the code below. It provides some extra features and better/older browser support.

Grab the json2.js file from: https://github.com/douglascrockford/JSON-js

// implement JSON.stringify serialization
JSON.stringify = JSON.stringify || function (obj) {
    var t = typeof (obj);
    if (t != "object" || obj === null) {
        // simple data type
        if (t == "string") obj = '"'+obj+'"';
        return String(obj);
    else {
        // recurse array or object
        var n, v, json = [], arr = (obj && obj.constructor == Array);
        for (n in obj) {
            v = obj[n]; t = typeof(v);
            if (t == "string") v = '"'+v+'"';
            else if (t == "object" && v !== null) v = JSON.stringify(v);
            json.push((arr ? "" : '"' + n + '":') + String(v));
        return (arr ? "[" : "{") + String(json) + (arr ? "]" : "}");
var tmp = {one: 1, two: "2"};
JSON.stringify(tmp); // '{"one":1,"two":"2"}'
Code from: http://www.sitepoint.com/blogs/2009/08/19/javascript-json-serialization/
                I would recommend the json2.js library instead of this function, because it doesn't handle correctly some types, like properties containing undefined, functions, (which are not a valid JSON values), Boolean objects (e.g. new Boolean(true);), or NaN which should be replaced with null, etc... also it doesn't support the additional optional arguments, the replacer function and the spaces number for indentation, which are fully described in the standard.
– Christian C. Salvadó
                Aug 29, 2010 at 1:29
                i think perhaps the json2 link should be: github.com/douglascrockford/JSON-js/blob/master/json2.js
– fisherwebdev
                Oct 28, 2011 at 22:43
                Most browsers have a native JSON object these days, which includes parse and stringify methods. So just try JSON.stringify({}) and see if you get "{}" without needing to include the above code. You can even pass in parameters to filter out keys or to do pretty-printing, e.g. JSON.stringify({a:1,b:2}, null, 2) puts a newline and 2 spaces in front of each key.
– AlexChaffee
                Apr 3, 2012 at 15:49
                For the ones looking for a modern answer: JSON.stringify(); is implemented in all the browsers (desktop and mobile): developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/…
– Pablo Martinez
                Dec 20, 2016 at 13:24
Most browsers have a native JSON object these days, which includes parse and stringify methods. So just try JSON.stringify({}) and see if you get "{}". You can even pass in parameters to filter out keys or to do pretty-printing, e.g. JSON.stringify({a:1,b:2}, null, 2) puts a newline and 2 spaces in front of each key.
JSON.stringify({a:1,b:2}, null, 2)
gives
"{\n  \"a\": 1,\n  \"b\": 2\n}"
which prints as
  "a": 1,
  "b": 2
As for the messing around part of your question, use the second parameter. From http://www.javascriptkit.com/jsref/json.shtml :
  
The replacer parameter can either be a function or an array of
  String/Numbers. It steps through each member within the JSON object to
  let you decide what value each member should be changed to. As a
  function it can return:
  
A number, string, or Boolean, which replaces the property's original    value with the returned one.
  
An object, which is serialized then    returned. Object methods or functions are not allowed, and are    removed instead. 
  
Null, which causes the property to be removed.
  
As an array, the values defined inside it corresponds to the names of
  the properties inside the JSON object that should be retained when
  converted into a JSON object.
                @user01 but jquery doesn't include a way to do this (at least it didn't when I wrote this reply, not sure if it does now)
– David Reynolds
                Apr 17, 2013 at 11:17
                @DavidReynolds: yes of course, I understand:) I didn't intend any offence to you but just commented on this as a solution to problem :)
– Rajat Gupta
                Apr 17, 2013 at 16:43
You could parse the JSON to an object, then create your malformed JSON from the ajavscript object. This may not be the best performance-wise, tho.
Otherwise, if you only need to make very small changes to the string, just treat it as a string, and mangle it using standard javascript.
        
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