Display output as formatted JSON if --json is passed

[gammazero]

JSON allows for more structure than plain text, so it makes it much easier to output and handle complex data structures. The output of a number of commands have complex enough structure to benefit from this.

[masih]

Suggestion: Use --output json instead.

[gammazero]

I would prefer that --output not be used to designate output format, as that is commonly used to designate an output file in many commands. Examples:

• sort: -o output, --output=output Print the output to the output file instead of the standard output.
• wget: -o, --output-file=FILE log messages to FILE
• curl: -o, --output <file> Write to file instead of stdout
• gcc, go build, and many more use -o and --output to designate an output file as well.

So using --output to designate an output format, instead of an output file, is a break from this convention.

Maybe --format would accomplish the same goal?

[masih]

--format works too 👍