Convert arbitrary array of JSON objects into columnar CSV data where each column corresponds to a unique key path found in any of the objects.

csv-ify

#! /usr/local/bin/jq -r -f
#
# Convert arbitrary array of JSON objects into columnar CSV data where each
# column corresponds to a unique key path found in any of the objects.
#
# For example:
#
# $ echo '[ {"a": 1, "b":{"c":"d"}}, {"e": 42} ]' | csv-ify 
# "a","b.c","e"
# 1,"d",
# ,,42
#

(
	[ .[] | paths(scalars) ] | unique
) as $paths |
[
	$paths[] | map(tostring) | join(".")
] as $headers |
(
	$headers | @csv
),
(
	.[] | [ getpath($paths[]) ] | @csv
)