title: json: how to get the json-string into a javascript object
body: <p>i am converting my ajax code from xml to json, but i am missing something basic here:</p>
  
  <p>when i receive the json-string on the client-side, what is the recommended way to convert it into a javascript object.</p>
  
  <p>for example i get this string:</p>
  
  <pre><code>{"connectionid":12345}
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and i would like to do something like this:</p>
  
  <pre><code>alert(xmlhttp.responseText.connectionid);
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>thanks!</p>