'JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)' is a compact data-interchange format known for its human readability and ease of processing by machines. While it originates from a subset of JavaScript, JSON is language-agnostic, allowing its use across various programming environments beyond JavaScript.

Developed in the early 2000s by Douglas Crockford, JSON emerged as a more streamlined and efficient alternative to XML for data interchange. Its textual format, based on attribute-value pairs and array types, is highly suitable for the transfer of data between servers and web applications.

A primary advantage of JSON lies in its simplicity. The format is easily interpretable by humans and can be quickly parsed by computers, enhancing the efficiency of data handling. This simplicity has contributed to JSON's popularity in APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and web services, where rapid and effective data exchange is essential.

JSON's integration into modern programming environments is smooth and ubiquitous. Most programming languages feature native support for encoding and decoding JSON data, positioning it as a global standard for web-based data interchange. JSON is extensively used in various scenarios, including application configurations, web request data payloads, and data storage, underscoring its importance in web development.

In conclusion, JSON's attributes of efficiency, user-friendliness, and broad adoption make it a favored choice for data interchange in today's digital world. Its capacity to succinctly and orderly represent complex data structures renders it an optimal format for web applications and API interactions.