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Revision 1.99 by root, Thu Mar 27 06:37:35 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.143 by root, Fri Oct 25 20:02:54 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 = '2.2'; 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
126=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 114=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
137 125
138This function call is functionally identical to: 126This function call is functionally identical to:
139 127
140 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 128 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
141 129
142except being faster. 130Except being faster.
143 131
144=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text 132=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
145 133
146The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries 134The 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 135to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
149 137
150This function call is functionally identical to: 138This function call is functionally identical to:
151 139
152 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 140 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
153 141
154except being faster. 142Except being faster.
155 143
156=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar 144=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
157 145
158Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or 146Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
159JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively 147JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
197 185
198If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't 186If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
199exist. 187exist.
200 188
201=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be 189=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
202validly interpreted as a Unicode codepoint. 190validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
203 191
204If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a 192If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
205Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string. 193Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
206 194
207=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string. 195=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
434If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 422If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
435by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 423by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
436 424
437If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 425If 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 426pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
439of the same script). 427of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
428onwards).
440 429
441This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 430This 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, 431the 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, 432the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
444as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 433as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
445 434
446This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 435This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
436
437This setting has currently no effect on tied hashes.
447 438
448=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 439=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
449 440
450=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 441=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
451 442
628=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 619=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
629 620
630=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth 621=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
631 622
632Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 623Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
633or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 624or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in JSON text or a Perl
634higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 625data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
635stop and croak at that point. 626point.
636 627
637Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 628Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
638needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[> 629needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
639characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 630characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
640given character in a string. 631given character in a string.
641 632
642Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 633Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
643that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 634that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
644 635
645The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next highest power
646of two. If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be 636If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
647used, which is rarely useful. 637is rarely useful.
638
639Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
640been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
641crashing.
648 642
649See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 643See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
650 644
651=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 645=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
652 646
653=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size 647=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
654 648
655Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 649Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
656being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 650being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
657is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 651is called on a string that is longer then this many bytes, it will not
658attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 652attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
659effect on C<encode> (yet). 653effect on C<encode> (yet).
660 654
661The argument to C<max_size> will be rounded up to the next B<highest> 655If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same as when
662power of two (so may be more than requested). If no argument is given, the 656C<0> is specified).
663limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
664 657
665See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 658See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
666 659
667=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 660=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
668 661
669Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 662Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
670to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 663representation. Croaks on error.
671converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
672become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
673Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
674nor C<false> values will be generated.
675 664
676=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 665=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
677 666
678The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it, 667The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
679returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 668returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
680
681JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
682Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
683C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
684 669
685=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 670=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
686 671
687This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception 672This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception
688when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 673when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
689silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed 674silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed
690so far. 675so far.
691 676
692This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol 677This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol
693(which is not the brightest thing to do in the first place) and you need
694to know where the JSON text ends. 678and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
695 679
696 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 680 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
697 => ([], 3) 681 => ([], 3)
698 682
699=back 683=back
700 684
701 685
702=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING 686=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
703
704[This section and the API it details is still EXPERIMENTAL]
705 687
706In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON 688In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
707texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting 689texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
708Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a 690Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
709JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has 691JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
710a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to 692a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
711using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but is 693using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but
712much more efficient (JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text 694is much more efficient (and can be implemented with a minimum of method
695calls).
696
697JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
713once it is sure it has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very 698has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
714simple but truly incremental parser). 699truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
700early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
701parentheses. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
702soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
703to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
704parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
715 705
716The following two methods deal with this. 706The following methods implement this incremental parser.
717 707
718=over 4 708=over 4
719 709
720=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string]) 710=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
721 711
732 722
733If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract 723If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
734exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this 724exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
735object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error, 725object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
736this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use 726this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
737C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of 727C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
738using the method. 728using the method.
739 729
740And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects 730And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
741from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list 731from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
742otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON 732otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
743objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 733objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
744an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context 734an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
745case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be 735case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
746lost. 736lost.
747 737
738Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
739them.
740
741 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
742
748=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text 743=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
749 744
750This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that 745This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
751is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to 746is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
752C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under 747C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
759JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text 754JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
760(such as commas). 755(such as commas).
761 756
762=item $json->incr_skip 757=item $json->incr_skip
763 758
764This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove the 759This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove
765parsed text from the input buffer. This is useful after C<incr_parse> 760the parsed text from the input buffer so far. This is useful after
766died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser state is left 761C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser
767unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the parse state. 762state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
763parse state.
764
765The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
766occurred is removed.
767
768=item $json->incr_reset
769
770This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
771it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
772
773This is useful if you want to repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
774ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
775each successful decode.
768 776
769=back 777=back
770 778
771=head2 LIMITATIONS 779=head2 LIMITATIONS
772 780
773All options that affect decoding are supported, except 781All options that affect decoding are supported, except
774C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to 782C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to work
775work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate 783sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can
776them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true 784concatenate them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does
777for JSON numbers, however. 785not hold true for JSON numbers, however.
778 786
779For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the 787For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the
780start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation 788start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation
781of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS 789of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS
782takes the conservative route and disallows this case. 790takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
961If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 969If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
962it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 970it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
963a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 971a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
964precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in 972precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
965which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be 973which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
966re-encoded toa JSON string). 974re-encoded to a JSON string).
967 975
968Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 976Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
969represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 977represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
970precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but 978precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
971the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number). 979the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
972 980
981Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
982represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
983floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
984the least significant bit.
985
973=item true, false 986=item true, false
974 987
975These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 988These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
976respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 989respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
977C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 990C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using
992 1005
993=over 4 1006=over 4
994 1007
995=item hash references 1008=item hash references
996 1009
997Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1010Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
998in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1011ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
999pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1012in a pseudo-random order. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash keys
1000stays generally the same within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can 1013(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
1001optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1014serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
1002the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1015JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
1003settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1016e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text against another for equality.
1004and is only rarely useful, e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text
1005against another for equality.
1006 1017
1007=item array references 1018=item array references
1008 1019
1009Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1020Perl array references become JSON arrays.
1010 1021
1013Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1024Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
1014exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1025exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
1015C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1026C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
1016also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 1027also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
1017 1028
1018 encode_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1029 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
1019 1030
1020=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1031=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
1021 1032
1022These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1033These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
1023respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1034respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
1063 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours. 1074 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
1064 1075
1065You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1076You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
1066if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed 1077if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1067:). 1078:).
1079
1080Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1081binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1082can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1083extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1084infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1085error to pass those in.
1068 1086
1069=back 1087=back
1070 1088
1071 1089
1072=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES 1090=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1099=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1117=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1100 1118
1101When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate 1119When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1102and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1120and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1103values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such 1121values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1104characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except 1122characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1105"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters, 1123"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1106respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do 1124respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1107funny/weird/dumb stuff). 1125funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1108 1126
1109This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you 1127This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1165proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world. 1183proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
1166 1184
1167=back 1185=back
1168 1186
1169 1187
1188=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1189
1190JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1191not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1192called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1193
1194However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1195ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1196implement).
1197
1198If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1199might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1200structure might not be queryable:
1201
1202One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1203JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1204following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1205to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1206
1207 use JSON::XS;
1208
1209 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1210
1211The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1212programs, and not rely on C<eval> (see for example Douglas Crockford's
1213F<json2.js> parser).
1214
1215If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1216ASCII-only JSON:
1217
1218 use JSON::XS;
1219
1220 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1221
1222Note that this will enlarge the resulting JSON text quite a bit if you
1223have many non-ASCII characters. You might be tempted to run some regexes
1224to only escape U+2028 and U+2029, e.g.:
1225
1226 # DO NOT USE THIS!
1227 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1228 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1229 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1230 print $json;
1231
1232Note that I<this is a bad idea>: the above only works for U+2028 and
1233U+2029 and thus only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing
1234javascript implementations, however, have issues with other characters as
1235well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1236
1237Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1238some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1239them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1240C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1241
1242If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1243output for these property strings, e.g.:
1244
1245 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1246
1247This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1248occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1249
1250If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1251
1252
1170=head2 JSON and YAML 1253=head2 JSON and YAML
1171 1254
1172You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass 1255You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
1173hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing), 1256hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
1174so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure 1257so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1182 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1265 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
1183 1266
1184This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1267This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
1185YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1268YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
1186lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible 1269lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1187unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are 1270unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
1188noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that 1271keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1189you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP 1272and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1190(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in 1273Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1191strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON 1274sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1192generators might). 1275other JSON generators might).
1193 1276
1194There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML 1277There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1195specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In 1278specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
1196general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice 1279general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
1197versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are 1280versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
1216that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and 1299that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1217educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the 1300educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1218real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who 1301real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1219point out that it isn't true. 1302point out that it isn't true.
1220 1303
1304Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1305though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1306for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1307of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1308corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1309
1221=back 1310=back
1222 1311
1223 1312
1224=head2 SPEED 1313=head2 SPEED
1225 1314
1230 1319
1231First comes a comparison between various modules using 1320First comes a comparison between various modules using
1232a very short single-line JSON string (also available at 1321a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1233L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>). 1322L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
1234 1323
1235 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1324 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
1236 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1325 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1326 1, 0]}
1237 1327
1238It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1328It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
1239the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1329the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
1240with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1330with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
1241shrink). Higher is better: 1331shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1332uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
1242 1333
1243 module | encode | decode | 1334 module | encode | decode |
1244 -----------|------------|------------| 1335 --------------|------------|------------|
1245 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1336 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
1246 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1337 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
1247 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1338 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
1248 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1339 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
1249 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1340 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
1250 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1341 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
1251 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1342 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
1252 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1343 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
1253 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
1254 -----------+------------+------------+ 1344 --------------+------------+------------+
1255 1345
1256That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1346That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
1257about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1347about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
1258than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1348faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
1259favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1349to Storable for small amounts of data.
1260 1350
1261Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1351Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
1262search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>). 1352search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
1263 1353
1264 module | encode | decode | 1354 module | encode | decode |
1265 -----------|------------|------------| 1355 --------------|------------|------------|
1266 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1356 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
1267 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1357 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
1268 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1269 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1358 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
1270 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1359 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
1271 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1360 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
1272 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1361 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
1273 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1362 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
1274 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1363 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
1275 -----------+------------+------------+ 1364 --------------+------------+------------+
1276 1365
1277Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1366Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
1278decodes faster). 1367decodes a bit faster).
1279 1368
1280On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1369On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
1281(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1370(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
1282will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1371will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
1283to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1372to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
1319information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS 1408information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1320will not end up in front of untrusted eyes. 1409will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1321 1410
1322If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1411If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1323by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1412by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1324L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1413L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1325you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1414see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1326design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1415are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1327browser developers care only for features, not about getting security 1416it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1328right). 1417security right).
1329 1418
1330 1419
1331=head1 THREADS 1420=head1 THREADS
1332 1421
1333This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1422This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1336process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1425process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1337 1426
1338(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1427(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1339 1428
1340 1429
1430=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1431
1432Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1433system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1434
1435This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1436numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1437print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1438perl to stringify numbers).
1439
1440The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1441categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1442
1443If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1444actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1445afterwards.
1446
1447
1341=head1 BUGS 1448=head1 BUGS
1342 1449
1343While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1450While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
1344not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1451not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
1345still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1452keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
1346will be fixed swiftly, though.
1347 1453
1348Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1454Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1349service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1455service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1350 1456
1351=cut 1457=cut

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