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Revision 1.144 by root, Mon Oct 28 23:19:54 2013 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4
3=encoding utf-8 5=encoding utf-8
4
5JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
6 6
7JSON::XS - 正しくて高速な JSON シリアライザ/デシリアライザ 7JSON::XS - 正しくて高速な JSON シリアライザ/デシリアライザ
8 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html) 8 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html)
9 9
10=head1 SYNOPSIS 10=head1 SYNOPSIS
37primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be 37primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be
38I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C. 38I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C.
39 39
40Beginning with version 2.0 of the JSON module, when both JSON and 40Beginning with version 2.0 of the JSON module, when both JSON and
41JSON::XS are installed, then JSON will fall back on JSON::XS (this can be 41JSON::XS are installed, then JSON will fall back on JSON::XS (this can be
42overriden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheritign constructor 42overridden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheriting constructor
43and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the 43and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the
44compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS 44compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS
45gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need and doesn't 45gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need and doesn't
46require a C compiler when that is a problem. 46require a C compiler when that is a problem.
47 47
49to write yet another JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON 49to write yet another JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON
50modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases 50modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases
51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
52reports for other reasons. 52reports for other reasons.
53 53
54See COMPARISON, below, for a comparison to some other JSON modules.
55
56See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and 54See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and
57vice versa. 55vice versa.
58 56
59=head2 FEATURES 57=head2 FEATURES
60 58
65This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does 63This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
66so, and even documents what "correct" means. 64so, and even documents what "correct" means.
67 65
68=item * round-trip integrity 66=item * round-trip integrity
69 67
70When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
71by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 69by JSON and Perl, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl
72(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks 70level. (e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because
73like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING 71it looks like a number). There I<are> minor exceptions to this, read the
74section below to learn about those. 72MAPPING section below to learn about those.
75 73
76=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
77 75
78There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
79and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security 77and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
84Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable, 82Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
85this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too. 83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
86 84
87=item * simple to use 85=item * simple to use
88 86
89This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an objetc 87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
90oriented interface interface. 88oriented interface.
91 89
92=item * reasonably versatile output formats 90=item * reasonably versatile output formats
93 91
94You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format 92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
95possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
96(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole 94(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole
97Unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that 95Unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that
98stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 96stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
99 97
100=back 98=back
101 99
102=cut 100=cut
103 101
104package JSON::XS; 102package JSON::XS;
105 103
106use strict; 104use common::sense;
107 105
108our $VERSION = '2.1'; 106our $VERSION = 2.34;
109our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 107our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
110 108
111our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json); 109our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json);
112
113sub to_json($) {
114 require Carp;
115 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::to_json has been renamed to encode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
116}
117
118sub from_json($) {
119 require Carp;
120 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::from_json has been renamed to decode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
121}
122 110
123use Exporter; 111use Exporter;
124use XSLoader; 112use XSLoader;
125 113
114use Types::Serialiser ();
115
126=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 116=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
127 117
128The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 118The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
129exported by default: 119exported by default:
130 120
137 127
138This function call is functionally identical to: 128This function call is functionally identical to:
139 129
140 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 130 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
141 131
142except being faster. 132Except being faster.
143 133
144=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text 134=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
145 135
146The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries 136The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
147to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting 137to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
149 139
150This function call is functionally identical to: 140This function call is functionally identical to:
151 141
152 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 142 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
153 143
154except being faster. 144Except being faster.
155
156=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
157
158Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
159JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
160and are used to represent JSON C<true> and C<false> values in Perl.
161
162See MAPPING, below, for more information on how JSON values are mapped to
163Perl.
164 145
165=back 146=back
166 147
167 148
168=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL 149=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
197 178
198If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't 179If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
199exist. 180exist.
200 181
201=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be 182=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
202validly interpreted as a Unicode codepoint. 183validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
203 184
204If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a 185If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
205Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string. 186Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
206 187
207=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string. 188=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
434If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 415If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
435by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 416by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
436 417
437If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 418If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
438pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 419pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
439of the same script). 420of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
421onwards).
440 422
441This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 423This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
442the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 424the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
443the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 425the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
444as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 426as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
445 427
446This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 428This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
447 429
430This setting has currently no effect on tied hashes.
431
448=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 432=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
449 433
450=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 434=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
451 435
452If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 436If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
462Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value with enabled C<allow_nonref>, 446Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value with enabled C<allow_nonref>,
463resulting in an invalid JSON text: 447resulting in an invalid JSON text:
464 448
465 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 449 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
466 => "Hello, World!" 450 => "Hello, World!"
451
452=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
453
454=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
455
456If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode> will I<not> throw an
457exception when it encounters values it cannot represent in JSON (for
458example, filehandles) but instead will encode a JSON C<null> value. Note
459that blessed objects are not included here and are handled separately by
460c<allow_nonref>.
461
462If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
463exception when it encounters anything it cannot encode as JSON.
464
465This option does not affect C<decode> in any way, and it is recommended to
466leave it off unless you know your communications partner.
467 467
468=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 468=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
469 469
470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed 470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
471 471
612=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 612=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
613 613
614=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth 614=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
615 615
616Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 616Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
617or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 617or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in JSON text or a Perl
618higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 618data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
619stop and croak at that point. 619point.
620 620
621Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 621Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
622needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[> 622needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
623characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 623characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
624given character in a string. 624given character in a string.
625 625
626Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 626Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
627that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 627that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
628 628
629The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next highest power
630of two. If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be 629If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
631used, which is rarely useful. 630is rarely useful.
631
632Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
633been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
634crashing.
632 635
633See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 636See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
634 637
635=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 638=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
636 639
637=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size 640=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
638 641
639Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 642Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
640being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 643being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
641is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 644is called on a string that is longer then this many bytes, it will not
642attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 645attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
643effect on C<encode> (yet). 646effect on C<encode> (yet).
644 647
645The argument to C<max_size> will be rounded up to the next B<highest> 648If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same as when
646power of two (so may be more than requested). If no argument is given, the 649C<0> is specified).
647limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
648 650
649See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 651See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
650 652
651=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 653=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
652 654
653Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 655Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
654to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 656representation. Croaks on error.
655converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
656become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
657Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
658nor C<false> values will be generated.
659 657
660=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 658=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
661 659
662The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it, 660The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
663returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 661returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
664
665JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
666Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
667C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
668 662
669=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 663=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
670 664
671This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception 665This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception
672when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 666when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
673silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed 667silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed
674so far. 668so far.
675 669
676This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol 670This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol
677(which is not the brightest thing to do in the first place) and you need
678to know where the JSON text ends. 671and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
679 672
680 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 673 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
681 => ([], 3) 674 => ([], 3)
682 675
683=back 676=back
684 677
685 678
686=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING 679=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
687
688[This section and the API it details is still EXPERIMENTAL]
689 680
690In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON 681In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
691texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting 682texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
692Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a 683Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
693JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has 684JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
694a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to 685a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
695using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but is 686using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but
696much more efficient (JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text 687is much more efficient (and can be implemented with a minimum of method
688calls).
689
690JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
697once it is sure it has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very 691has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
698simple but truly incremental parser). 692truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
693early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
694parentheses. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
695soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
696to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
697parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
699 698
700The following two methods deal with this. 699The following methods implement this incremental parser.
701 700
702=over 4 701=over 4
703 702
704=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string]) 703=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
705 704
716 715
717If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract 716If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
718exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this 717exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
719object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error, 718object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
720this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use 719this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
721C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of 720C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
722using the method. 721using the method.
723 722
724And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects 723And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
725from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list 724from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
726otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON 725otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
727objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 726objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
728an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context 727an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
729case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be 728case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
730lost. 729lost.
731 730
731Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
732them.
733
734 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
735
732=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text 736=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
733 737
734This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that 738This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
735is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to 739is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
736C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under 740C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
743JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text 747JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
744(such as commas). 748(such as commas).
745 749
746=item $json->incr_skip 750=item $json->incr_skip
747 751
748This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove the 752This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove
749parsed text from the input buffer. This is useful after C<incr_parse> 753the parsed text from the input buffer so far. This is useful after
750died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser state is left 754C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser
751unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the parse state. 755state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
756parse state.
757
758The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
759occurred is removed.
760
761=item $json->incr_reset
762
763This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
764it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
765
766This is useful if you want to repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
767ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
768each successful decode.
752 769
753=back 770=back
754 771
755=head2 LIMITATIONS 772=head2 LIMITATIONS
756 773
757All options that affect decoding are supported, except 774All options that affect decoding are supported, except
758C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to 775C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to work
759work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate 776sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can
760them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true 777concatenate them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does
761for JSON numbers, however. 778not hold true for JSON numbers, however.
762 779
763For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the 780For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the
764start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation 781start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation
765of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS 782of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS
766takes the conservative route and disallows this case. 783takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
945If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 962If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
946it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 963it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
947a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 964a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
948precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in 965precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
949which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be 966which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
950re-encoded toa JSON string). 967re-encoded to a JSON string).
951 968
952Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 969Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
953represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 970represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
954precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but 971precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
955the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number). 972the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
956 973
974Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
975represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
976floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
977the least significant bit.
978
957=item true, false 979=item true, false
958 980
959These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 981These JSON atoms become C<Types::Serialiser::true> and
960respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 982C<Types::Serialiser::false>, respectively. They are overloaded to act
961C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 983almost exactly like the numbers C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether
962the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 984a scalar is a JSON boolean by using the C<Types::Serialiser::is_bool>
985function (after C<use Types::Serialier>, of course).
963 986
964=item null 987=item null
965 988
966A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 989A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
967 990
976 999
977=over 4 1000=over 4
978 1001
979=item hash references 1002=item hash references
980 1003
981Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1004Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
982in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1005ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
983pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1006in a pseudo-random order. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash keys
984stays generally the same within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can 1007(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
985optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1008serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
986the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1009JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
987settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1010e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text against another for equality.
988and is only rarely useful, e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text
989against another for equality.
990 1011
991=item array references 1012=item array references
992 1013
993Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1014Perl array references become JSON arrays.
994 1015
995=item other references 1016=item other references
996 1017
997Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1018Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
998exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1019exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
999C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1020C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON.
1000also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
1001 1021
1022Since C<JSON::XS> uses the boolean model from L<Types::Serialiser>, you
1023can also C<use Types::Serialiser> and then use C<Types::Serialiser::false>
1024and C<Types::Serialiser::true> to improve readability.
1025
1026 use Types::Serialiser;
1002 encode_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1027 encode_json [\0, Types::Serialiser::true] # yields [false,true]
1003 1028
1004=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1029=item Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false
1005 1030
1006These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1031These special values from the L<Types::Serialiser> module become JSON true
1007respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1032and JSON false values, respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0>
1033directly if you want.
1008 1034
1009=item blessed objects 1035=item blessed objects
1010 1036
1011Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the 1037Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
1012C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on 1038C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
1047 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours. 1073 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
1048 1074
1049You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1075You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
1050if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed 1076if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1051:). 1077:).
1078
1079Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1080binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1081can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1082extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1083infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1084error to pass those in.
1052 1085
1053=back 1086=back
1054 1087
1055 1088
1056=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES 1089=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1083=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1116=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1084 1117
1085When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate 1118When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1086and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1119and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1087values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such 1120values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1088characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except 1121characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1089"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters, 1122"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1090respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do 1123respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1091funny/weird/dumb stuff). 1124funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1092 1125
1093This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you 1126This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1149proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world. 1182proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
1150 1183
1151=back 1184=back
1152 1185
1153 1186
1187=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1188
1189JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1190not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1191called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1192
1193However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1194ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1195implement).
1196
1197If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1198might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1199structure might not be queryable:
1200
1201One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1202JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1203following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1204to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1205
1206 use JSON::XS;
1207
1208 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1209
1210The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1211programs, and not rely on C<eval> (see for example Douglas Crockford's
1212F<json2.js> parser).
1213
1214If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1215ASCII-only JSON:
1216
1217 use JSON::XS;
1218
1219 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1220
1221Note that this will enlarge the resulting JSON text quite a bit if you
1222have many non-ASCII characters. You might be tempted to run some regexes
1223to only escape U+2028 and U+2029, e.g.:
1224
1225 # DO NOT USE THIS!
1226 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1227 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1228 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1229 print $json;
1230
1231Note that I<this is a bad idea>: the above only works for U+2028 and
1232U+2029 and thus only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing
1233javascript implementations, however, have issues with other characters as
1234well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1235
1236Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1237some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1238them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1239C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1240
1241If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1242output for these property strings, e.g.:
1243
1244 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1245
1246This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1247occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1248
1249If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1250
1251
1154=head2 JSON and YAML 1252=head2 JSON and YAML
1155 1253
1156You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass 1254You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
1157hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing), 1255hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
1158so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure 1256so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1166 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1264 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
1167 1265
1168This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1266This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
1169YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1267YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
1170lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible 1268lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1171unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are 1269unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
1172noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that 1270keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1173you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP 1271and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1174(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in 1272Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1175strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON 1273sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1176generators might). 1274other JSON generators might).
1177 1275
1178There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML 1276There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1179specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In 1277specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
1180general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice 1278general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
1181versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are 1279versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
1200that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and 1298that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1201educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the 1299educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1202real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who 1300real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1203point out that it isn't true. 1301point out that it isn't true.
1204 1302
1303Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1304though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1305for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1306of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1307corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1308
1205=back 1309=back
1206 1310
1207 1311
1208=head2 SPEED 1312=head2 SPEED
1209 1313
1214 1318
1215First comes a comparison between various modules using 1319First comes a comparison between various modules using
1216a very short single-line JSON string (also available at 1320a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1217L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>). 1321L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
1218 1322
1219 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1323 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
1220 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1324 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1325 1, 0]}
1221 1326
1222It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1327It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
1223the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1328the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
1224with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1329with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
1225shrink). Higher is better: 1330shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1331uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
1226 1332
1227 module | encode | decode | 1333 module | encode | decode |
1228 -----------|------------|------------| 1334 --------------|------------|------------|
1229 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1335 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
1230 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1336 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
1231 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1337 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
1232 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1338 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
1233 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1339 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
1234 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1340 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
1235 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1341 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
1236 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1342 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
1237 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
1238 -----------+------------+------------+ 1343 --------------+------------+------------+
1239 1344
1240That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1345That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
1241about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1346about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
1242than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1347faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
1243favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1348to Storable for small amounts of data.
1244 1349
1245Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1350Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
1246search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>). 1351search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
1247 1352
1248 module | encode | decode | 1353 module | encode | decode |
1249 -----------|------------|------------| 1354 --------------|------------|------------|
1250 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1355 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
1251 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1356 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
1252 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1253 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1357 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
1254 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1358 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
1255 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1359 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
1256 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1360 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
1257 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1361 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
1258 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1362 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
1259 -----------+------------+------------+ 1363 --------------+------------+------------+
1260 1364
1261Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1365Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
1262decodes faster). 1366decodes a bit faster).
1263 1367
1264On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1368On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
1265(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1369(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
1266will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1370will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
1267to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1371to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
1303information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS 1407information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1304will not end up in front of untrusted eyes. 1408will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1305 1409
1306If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1410If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1307by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1411by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1308L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1412L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1309you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1413see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1310design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1414are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1311browser developers care only for features, not about getting security 1415it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1312right). 1416security right).
1417
1418
1419=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES
1420
1421C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean
1422constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be
1423comaptible to true and false values of iother modules that do the same,
1424such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>.
1313 1425
1314 1426
1315=head1 THREADS 1427=head1 THREADS
1316 1428
1317This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1429This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1320process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1432process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1321 1433
1322(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1434(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1323 1435
1324 1436
1437=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1438
1439Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1440system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1441
1442This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1443numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1444print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1445perl to stringify numbers).
1446
1447The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1448categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1449
1450If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1451actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1452afterwards.
1453
1454
1325=head1 BUGS 1455=head1 BUGS
1326 1456
1327While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1457While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
1328not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1458not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
1329still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1459keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
1330will be fixed swiftly, though.
1331 1460
1332Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1461Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1333service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1462service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1334 1463
1335=cut 1464=cut
1336 1465
1337our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1466BEGIN {
1338our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1467 *true = \$Types::Serialiser::true;
1468 *true = \&Types::Serialiser::true;
1469 *false = \$Types::Serialiser::false;
1470 *false = \&Types::Serialiser::false;
1471 *is_bool = \&Types::Serialiser::is_bool;
1339 1472
1340sub true() { $true } 1473 *JSON::XS::Boolean:: = *Types::Serialiser::Boolean::;
1341sub false() { $false }
1342
1343sub is_bool($) {
1344 UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::XS::Boolean"
1345# or UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::Literal"
1346} 1474}
1347 1475
1348XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION; 1476XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION;
1349
1350package JSON::XS::Boolean;
1351
1352use overload
1353 "0+" => sub { ${$_[0]} },
1354 "++" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} + 1 },
1355 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1356 fallback => 1;
1357
13581;
1359 1477
1360=head1 SEE ALSO 1478=head1 SEE ALSO
1361 1479
1362The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments. 1480The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1363 1481
1366 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1484 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1367 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1485 http://home.schmorp.de/
1368 1486
1369=cut 1487=cut
1370 1488
14891
1490

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