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Revision 1.111 by root, Mon Jul 21 02:45:17 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.145 by root, Tue Oct 29 00:06:40 2013 UTC

64so, and even documents what "correct" means. 64so, and even documents what "correct" means.
65 65
66=item * round-trip integrity 66=item * round-trip integrity
67 67
68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported 68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
69by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 69by JSON and Perl, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl
70(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
71like 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
72section below to learn about those. 72MAPPING section below to learn about those.
73 73
74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
75 75
76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
77and 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
83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too. 83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
84 84
85=item * simple to use 85=item * simple to use
86 86
87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object 87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
88oriented interface interface. 88oriented interface.
89 89
90=item * reasonably versatile output formats 90=item * reasonably versatile output formats
91 91
92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format 92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format 93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
99 99
100=cut 100=cut
101 101
102package JSON::XS; 102package JSON::XS;
103 103
104no warnings; 104use common::sense;
105use strict;
106 105
107our $VERSION = '2.2222'; 106our $VERSION = '3.0';
108our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 107our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
109 108
110our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json); 109our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json);
111
112sub to_json($) {
113 require Carp;
114 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");
115}
116
117sub from_json($) {
118 require Carp;
119 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");
120}
121 110
122use Exporter; 111use Exporter;
123use XSLoader; 112use XSLoader;
113
114use Types::Serialiser ();
124 115
125=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 116=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
126 117
127The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 118The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
128exported by default: 119exported by default:
149This function call is functionally identical to: 140This function call is functionally identical to:
150 141
151 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 142 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
152 143
153Except being faster. 144Except being faster.
154
155=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
156
157Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
158JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
159and are used to represent JSON C<true> and C<false> values in Perl.
160
161See MAPPING, below, for more information on how JSON values are mapped to
162Perl.
163 145
164=back 146=back
165 147
166 148
167=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL 149=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
433If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 415If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
434by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 416by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
435 417
436If C<$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
437pairs 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
438of the same script). 420of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
421onwards).
439 422
440This 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
441the 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,
442the 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,
443as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 426as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
444 427
445This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 428This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
429
430This setting has currently no effect on tied hashes.
446 431
447=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 432=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
448 433
449=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 434=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
450 435
665 650
666See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 651See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
667 652
668=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 653=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
669 654
670Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 655Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
671to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 656representation. Croaks on error.
672converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
673become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
674Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
675nor C<false> values will be generated.
676 657
677=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 658=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
678 659
679The 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,
680returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 661returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
681
682JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
683Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
684C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
685 662
686=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 663=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
687 664
688This 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
689when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 666when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
690silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed 667silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed
691so far. 668so far.
692 669
693This 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
694(which is not the brightest thing to do in the first place) and you need
695to know where the JSON text ends. 671and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
696 672
697 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 673 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
698 => ([], 3) 674 => ([], 3)
699 675
700=back 676=back
712calls). 688calls).
713 689
714JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it 690JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
715has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but 691has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
716truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as 692truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
717early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect parenthese 693early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
718mismatches. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as 694parentheses. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
719soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need 695soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
720to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop 696to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
721parsing in the presence if syntax errors. 697parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
722 698
723The following methods implement this incremental parser. 699The following methods implement this incremental parser.
739 715
740If 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
741exactly 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
742object, 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,
743this 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
744C<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
745using the method. 721using the method.
746 722
747And 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
748from 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
749otherwise. 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
750objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 726objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
751an 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
752case. 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
753lost. 729lost.
754 730
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
755=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text 736=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
756 737
757This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that 738This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
758is, 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
759C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under 740C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
766JSON 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
767(such as commas). 748(such as commas).
768 749
769=item $json->incr_skip 750=item $json->incr_skip
770 751
771This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove the 752This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove
772parsed 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
773died, 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
774unchanged, 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.
775 760
776=item $json->incr_reset 761=item $json->incr_reset
777 762
778This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call, 763This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
779it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything. 764it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
780 765
781This is useful if you want ot repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to 766This is useful if you want to repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
782ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after 767ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
783each successful decode. 768each successful decode.
784 769
785=back 770=back
786 771
787=head2 LIMITATIONS 772=head2 LIMITATIONS
788 773
789All options that affect decoding are supported, except 774All options that affect decoding are supported, except
790C<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
791work 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
792them 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
793for JSON numbers, however. 778not hold true for JSON numbers, however.
794 779
795For 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
796start 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
797of 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
798takes the conservative route and disallows this case. 783takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
977If 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
978it 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
979a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 964a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
980precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in 965precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
981which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be 966which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
982re-encoded toa JSON string). 967re-encoded to a JSON string).
983 968
984Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 969Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
985represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 970represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
986precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but 971precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
987the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number). 972the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
988 973
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
989=item true, false 979=item true, false
990 980
991These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 981These JSON atoms become C<Types::Serialiser::true> and
992respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 982C<Types::Serialiser::false>, respectively. They are overloaded to act
993C<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
994the 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).
995 986
996=item null 987=item null
997 988
998A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 989A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
990
991=item shell-style comments (C<< # I<text> >>)
992
993As a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax that is enabled by the
994C<relaxed> setting, shell-style comments are allowed. They can start
995anywhere outside strings and go till the end of the line.
996
997=item tagged values (C<< (I<tag>)I<value> >>).
998
999Another nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax, enabled with the
1000C<allow_tags> setting, are tagged values. In this implementation, the
1001I<tag> must be a perl package/class name encoded as a JSON string, and the
1002I<value> must be a JSON array encoding optional constructor arguments.
1003
1004See "OBJECT SERIALISATION", below, for details.
999 1005
1000=back 1006=back
1001 1007
1002 1008
1003=head2 PERL -> JSON 1009=head2 PERL -> JSON
1008 1014
1009=over 4 1015=over 4
1010 1016
1011=item hash references 1017=item hash references
1012 1018
1013Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1019Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
1014in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1020ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
1015pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1021in a pseudo-random order. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash keys
1016stays generally the same within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can 1022(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
1017optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1023serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
1018the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1024JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
1019settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1025e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text against another for equality.
1020and is only rarely useful, e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text
1021against another for equality.
1022 1026
1023=item array references 1027=item array references
1024 1028
1025Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1029Perl array references become JSON arrays.
1026 1030
1027=item other references 1031=item other references
1028 1032
1029Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1033Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
1030exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1034exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
1031C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1035C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON.
1032also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
1033 1036
1037Since C<JSON::XS> uses the boolean model from L<Types::Serialiser>, you
1038can also C<use Types::Serialiser> and then use C<Types::Serialiser::false>
1039and C<Types::Serialiser::true> to improve readability.
1040
1041 use Types::Serialiser;
1034 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1042 encode_json [\0, Types::Serialiser::true] # yields [false,true]
1035 1043
1036=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1044=item Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false
1037 1045
1038These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1046These special values from the L<Types::Serialiser> module become JSON true
1039respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1047and JSON false values, respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0>
1048directly if you want.
1040 1049
1041=item blessed objects 1050=item blessed objects
1042 1051
1043Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the 1052Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON, but C<JSON::XS>
1044C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on 1053allows various ways of handling objects. See "OBJECT SERIALISATION",
1045how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an 1054below, for details.
1046exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
1047your own serialiser method.
1048 1055
1049=item simple scalars 1056=item simple scalars
1050 1057
1051Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1058Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
1052difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1059difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
1080 1087
1081You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1088You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
1082if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed 1089if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1083:). 1090:).
1084 1091
1092Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1093binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1094can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1095extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1096infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1097error to pass those in.
1098
1085=back 1099=back
1100
1101=head2 OBJECT SERIALISATION
1102
1103As JSON cannot directly represent Perl objects, you have to choose between
1104a pure JSON representation (without the ability to deserialise the object
1105automatically again), and a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax,
1106tagged values.
1107
1108=head3 SERIALISATION
1109
1110What happens when C<JSON::XS> encounters a Perl object depends on the
1111C<allow_blessed>, C<convert_blessed> and C<allow_tags> settings, which are
1112used in this order:
1113
1114=over 4
1115
1116=item 1. C<allow_tags> is enabled and object has a C<FREEZE> method.
1117
1118In this case, C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> object
1119serialisation protocol to create a tagged JSON value, using a nonstandard
1120extension to the JSON syntax.
1121
1122This works by invoking the C<FREEZE> method on the object, with the first
1123argument being the object to serialise, and the second argument being the
1124constant string C<JSON> to distinguish it from other serialisers.
1125
1126The C<FREEZE> method can return any number of values (i.e. zero or
1127more). These values and the paclkage/classname of the object will then be
1128encoded as a tagged JSON value in the following format:
1129
1130 ("classname")[FREEZE return values...]
1131
1132For example, the hypothetical C<My::Object> C<FREEZE> method might use the
1133objects C<type> and C<id> members to encode the object:
1134
1135 sub My::Object::FREEZE {
1136 my ($self, $serialiser) = @_;
1137
1138 ($self->{type}, $self->{id})
1139 }
1140
1141=item 2. C<convert_blessed> is enabled and object has a C<TO_JSON> method.
1142
1143In this case, the C<TO_JSON> method of the object is invoked in scalar
1144context. It must return a single scalar that can be directly encoded into
1145JSON. This scalar replaces the object in the JSON text.
1146
1147For example, the following C<TO_JSON> method will convert all L<URI>
1148objects to JSON strings when serialised. The fatc that these values
1149originally were L<URI> objects is lost.
1150
1151 sub URI::TO_JSON {
1152 my ($uri) = @_;
1153 $uri->as_string
1154 }
1155
1156=item 3. C<allow_blessed> is enabled.
1157
1158The object will be serialised as a JSON null value.
1159
1160=item 4. none of the above
1161
1162If none of the settings are enabled or the respective methods are missing,
1163C<JSON::XS> throws an exception.
1164
1165=back
1166
1167=head3 DESERIALISATION
1168
1169For deserialisation there are only two cases to consider: either
1170nonstandard tagging was used, in which case C<allow_tags> decides,
1171or objects cannot be automatically be deserialised, in which
1172case you can use postprocessing or the C<filter_json_object> or
1173C<filter_json_single_key_object> callbacks to get some real objects our of
1174your JSON.
1175
1176This section only considers the tagged value case: I a tagged JSON object
1177is encountered during decoding and C<allow_tags> is disabled, a parse
1178error will result (as if tagged values were not part of the grammar).
1179
1180If C<allow_tags> is enabled, C<JSON::XS> will look up the C<THAW> method
1181of the package/classname used during serialisation. If there is no such
1182method, the decoding will fail with an error.
1183
1184Otherwise, the C<THAW> method is invoked with the classname as first
1185argument, the constant string C<JSON> as second argument, and all the
1186values from the JSON array (the values originally returned by the
1187C<FREEZE> method) as remaining arguments.
1188
1189The method must then return the object. While technically you can return
1190any Perl scalar, you might have to enable the C<enable_nonref> setting to
1191make that work in all cases, so better return an actual blessed reference.
1192
1193As an example, let's implement a C<THAW> function that regenerates the
1194C<My::Object> from the C<FREEZE> example earlier:
1195
1196 sub My::Object::THAW {
1197 my ($class, $serialiser, $type, $id) = @_;
1198
1199 $class->new (type => $type, id => $id)
1200 }
1086 1201
1087 1202
1088=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES 1203=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1089 1204
1090The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify 1205The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
1115=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1230=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1116 1231
1117When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate 1232When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1118and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1233and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1119values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such 1234values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1120characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except 1235characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1121"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters, 1236"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1122respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do 1237respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1123funny/weird/dumb stuff). 1238funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1124 1239
1125This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you 1240This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1181proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world. 1296proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
1182 1297
1183=back 1298=back
1184 1299
1185 1300
1301=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1302
1303JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1304not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1305called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1306
1307However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1308ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1309implement).
1310
1311If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1312might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1313structure might not be queryable:
1314
1315One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1316JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1317following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1318to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1319
1320 use JSON::XS;
1321
1322 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1323
1324The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1325programs, and not rely on C<eval> (see for example Douglas Crockford's
1326F<json2.js> parser).
1327
1328If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1329ASCII-only JSON:
1330
1331 use JSON::XS;
1332
1333 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1334
1335Note that this will enlarge the resulting JSON text quite a bit if you
1336have many non-ASCII characters. You might be tempted to run some regexes
1337to only escape U+2028 and U+2029, e.g.:
1338
1339 # DO NOT USE THIS!
1340 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1341 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1342 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1343 print $json;
1344
1345Note that I<this is a bad idea>: the above only works for U+2028 and
1346U+2029 and thus only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing
1347javascript implementations, however, have issues with other characters as
1348well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1349
1350Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1351some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1352them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1353C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1354
1355If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1356output for these property strings, e.g.:
1357
1358 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1359
1360This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1361occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1362
1363If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1364
1365
1186=head2 JSON and YAML 1366=head2 JSON and YAML
1187 1367
1188You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass 1368You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
1189hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing), 1369hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
1190so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure 1370so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1198 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1378 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
1199 1379
1200This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1380This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
1201YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1381YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
1202lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible 1382lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1203unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are 1383unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
1204noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that 1384keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1205you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP 1385and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1206(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in 1386Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1207strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON 1387sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1208generators might). 1388other JSON generators might).
1209 1389
1210There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML 1390There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1211specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In 1391specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
1212general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice 1392general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
1213versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are 1393versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
1232that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and 1412that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1233educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the 1413educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1234real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who 1414real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1235point out that it isn't true. 1415point out that it isn't true.
1236 1416
1417Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1418though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1419for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1420of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1421corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1422
1237=back 1423=back
1238 1424
1239 1425
1240=head2 SPEED 1426=head2 SPEED
1241 1427
1248a very short single-line JSON string (also available at 1434a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1249L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>). 1435L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
1250 1436
1251 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", 1437 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
1252 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, 1438 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1253 true, false]} 1439 1, 0]}
1254 1440
1255It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1441It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
1256the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1442the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
1257with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1443with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
1258shrink). Higher is better: 1444shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1445uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
1259 1446
1260 module | encode | decode | 1447 module | encode | decode |
1261 -----------|------------|------------| 1448 --------------|------------|------------|
1262 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1449 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
1263 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1450 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
1264 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1451 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
1265 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1452 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
1266 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1453 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
1267 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1454 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
1268 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1455 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
1269 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1456 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
1270 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
1271 -----------+------------+------------+ 1457 --------------+------------+------------+
1272 1458
1273That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1459That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
1274about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1460about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
1275than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1461faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
1276favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1462to Storable for small amounts of data.
1277 1463
1278Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1464Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
1279search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>). 1465search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
1280 1466
1281 module | encode | decode | 1467 module | encode | decode |
1282 -----------|------------|------------| 1468 --------------|------------|------------|
1283 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1469 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
1284 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1470 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
1285 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1286 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1471 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
1287 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1472 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
1288 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1473 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
1289 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1474 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
1290 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1475 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
1291 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1476 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
1292 -----------+------------+------------+ 1477 --------------+------------+------------+
1293 1478
1294Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1479Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
1295decodes faster). 1480decodes a bit faster).
1296 1481
1297On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1482On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
1298(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1483(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
1299will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1484will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
1300to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1485to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
1336information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS 1521information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1337will not end up in front of untrusted eyes. 1522will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1338 1523
1339If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1524If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1340by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1525by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1341L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1526L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1342you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1527see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1343design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1528are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1344browser developers care only for features, not about getting security 1529it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1345right). 1530security right).
1531
1532
1533=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES
1534
1535C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean
1536constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be
1537comaptible to true and false values of iother modules that do the same,
1538such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>.
1346 1539
1347 1540
1348=head1 THREADS 1541=head1 THREADS
1349 1542
1350This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1543This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1353process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1546process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1354 1547
1355(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1548(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1356 1549
1357 1550
1551=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1552
1553Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1554system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1555
1556This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1557numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1558print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1559perl to stringify numbers).
1560
1561The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1562categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1563
1564If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1565actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1566afterwards.
1567
1568
1358=head1 BUGS 1569=head1 BUGS
1359 1570
1360While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1571While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
1361not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you 1572not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
1362keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though. 1573keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
1364Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1575Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1365service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1576service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1366 1577
1367=cut 1578=cut
1368 1579
1369our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1580BEGIN {
1370our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1581 *true = \$Types::Serialiser::true;
1582 *true = \&Types::Serialiser::true;
1583 *false = \$Types::Serialiser::false;
1584 *false = \&Types::Serialiser::false;
1585 *is_bool = \&Types::Serialiser::is_bool;
1371 1586
1372sub true() { $true } 1587 *JSON::XS::Boolean:: = *Types::Serialiser::Boolean::;
1373sub false() { $false }
1374
1375sub is_bool($) {
1376 UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::XS::Boolean"
1377# or UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::Literal"
1378} 1588}
1379 1589
1380XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION; 1590XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION;
1381
1382package JSON::XS::Boolean;
1383
1384use overload
1385 "0+" => sub { ${$_[0]} },
1386 "++" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} + 1 },
1387 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1388 fallback => 1;
1389
13901;
1391 1591
1392=head1 SEE ALSO 1592=head1 SEE ALSO
1393 1593
1394The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments. 1594The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1395 1595
1398 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1598 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1399 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1599 http://home.schmorp.de/
1400 1600
1401=cut 1601=cut
1402 1602
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1604

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