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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
666 657
667See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 658See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
668 659
669=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 660=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
670 661
671Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 662Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
672to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 663representation. Croaks on error.
673converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
674become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
675Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
676nor C<false> values will be generated.
677 664
678=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 665=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
679 666
680The 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,
681returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 668returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
682
683JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
684Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
685C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
686 669
687=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 670=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
688 671
689This 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
690when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 673when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
700 683
701=back 684=back
702 685
703 686
704=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING 687=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
705
706[This section and the API it details is still EXPERIMENTAL]
707 688
708In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON 689In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
709texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting 690texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
710Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a 691Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
711JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has 692JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
712a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to 693a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
713using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but is 694using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but
714much more efficient (JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text 695is much more efficient (and can be implemented with a minimum of method
696calls).
697
698JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
715once it is sure it has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very 699has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
716simple but truly incremental parser). 700truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
701early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
702parentheses. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
703soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
704to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
705parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
717 706
718The following two methods deal with this. 707The following methods implement this incremental parser.
719 708
720=over 4 709=over 4
721 710
722=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string]) 711=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
723 712
734 723
735If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract 724If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
736exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this 725exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
737object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error, 726object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
738this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use 727this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
739C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of 728C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
740using the method. 729using the method.
741 730
742And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects 731And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
743from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list 732from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
744otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON 733otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
745objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 734objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
746an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context 735an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
747case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be 736case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
748lost. 737lost.
749 738
739Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
740them.
741
742 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
743
750=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text 744=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
751 745
752This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that 746This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
753is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to 747is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
754C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under 748C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
761JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text 755JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
762(such as commas). 756(such as commas).
763 757
764=item $json->incr_skip 758=item $json->incr_skip
765 759
766This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove the 760This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove
767parsed text from the input buffer. This is useful after C<incr_parse> 761the parsed text from the input buffer so far. This is useful after
768died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser state is left 762C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser
769unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the parse state. 763state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
764parse state.
765
766The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
767occurred is removed.
768
769=item $json->incr_reset
770
771This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
772it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
773
774This is useful if you want to repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
775ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
776each successful decode.
770 777
771=back 778=back
772 779
773=head2 LIMITATIONS 780=head2 LIMITATIONS
774 781
963If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 970If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
964it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 971it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
965a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 972a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
966precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in 973precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
967which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be 974which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
968re-encoded toa JSON string). 975re-encoded to a JSON string).
969 976
970Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 977Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
971represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 978represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
972precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but 979precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
973the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number). 980the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
974 981
982Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
983represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
984floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
985the least significant bit.
986
975=item true, false 987=item true, false
976 988
977These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 989These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
978respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 990respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
979C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 991C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using
994 1006
995=over 4 1007=over 4
996 1008
997=item hash references 1009=item hash references
998 1010
999Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1011Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
1000in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1012ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
1001pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1013in a pseudo-random order. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash keys
1002stays generally the same within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can 1014(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
1003optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1015serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
1004the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1016JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
1005settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1017e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text against another for equality.
1006and is only rarely useful, e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text
1007against another for equality.
1008 1018
1009=item array references 1019=item array references
1010 1020
1011Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1021Perl array references become JSON arrays.
1012 1022
1065 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours. 1075 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
1066 1076
1067You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1077You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
1068if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed 1078if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1069:). 1079:).
1080
1081Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1082binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1083can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1084extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1085infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1086error to pass those in.
1070 1087
1071=back 1088=back
1072 1089
1073 1090
1074=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES 1091=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1101=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1118=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1102 1119
1103When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate 1120When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1104and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1121and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1105values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such 1122values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1106characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except 1123characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1107"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters, 1124"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1108respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do 1125respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1109funny/weird/dumb stuff). 1126funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1110 1127
1111This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you 1128This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1167proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world. 1184proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
1168 1185
1169=back 1186=back
1170 1187
1171 1188
1189=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1190
1191JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1192not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1193called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1194
1195However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1196ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1197implement).
1198
1199If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1200might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1201structure might not be queryable:
1202
1203One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1204JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1205following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1206to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1207
1208 use JSON::XS;
1209
1210 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1211
1212The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1213programs, and not rely on C<eval> (see for example Douglas Crockford's
1214F<json2.js> parser).
1215
1216If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1217ASCII-only JSON:
1218
1219 use JSON::XS;
1220
1221 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1222
1223Note that this will enlarge the resulting JSON text quite a bit if you
1224have many non-ASCII characters. You might be tempted to run some regexes
1225to only escape U+2028 and U+2029, e.g.:
1226
1227 # DO NOT USE THIS!
1228 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1229 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1230 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1231 print $json;
1232
1233Note that I<this is a bad idea>: the above only works for U+2028 and
1234U+2029 and thus only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing
1235javascript implementations, however, have issues with other characters as
1236well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1237
1238Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1239some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1240them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1241C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1242
1243If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1244output for these property strings, e.g.:
1245
1246 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1247
1248This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1249occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1250
1251If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1252
1253
1172=head2 JSON and YAML 1254=head2 JSON and YAML
1173 1255
1174You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass 1256You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
1175hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing), 1257hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
1176so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure 1258so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1184 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1266 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
1185 1267
1186This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1268This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
1187YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1269YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
1188lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible 1270lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1189unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are 1271unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
1190noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that 1272keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1191you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP 1273and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1192(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in 1274Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1193strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON 1275sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1194generators might). 1276other JSON generators might).
1195 1277
1196There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML 1278There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1197specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In 1279specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
1198general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice 1280general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
1199versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are 1281versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
1218that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and 1300that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1219educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the 1301educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1220real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who 1302real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1221point out that it isn't true. 1303point out that it isn't true.
1222 1304
1305Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1306though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1307for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1308of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1309corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1310
1223=back 1311=back
1224 1312
1225 1313
1226=head2 SPEED 1314=head2 SPEED
1227 1315
1234a very short single-line JSON string (also available at 1322a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1235L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>). 1323L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
1236 1324
1237 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", 1325 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
1238 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, 1326 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1239 true, false]} 1327 1, 0]}
1240 1328
1241It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1329It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
1242the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1330the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
1243with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1331with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
1244shrink). Higher is better: 1332shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1333uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
1245 1334
1246 module | encode | decode | 1335 module | encode | decode |
1247 -----------|------------|------------| 1336 --------------|------------|------------|
1248 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1337 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
1249 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1338 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
1250 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1339 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
1251 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1340 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
1252 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1341 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
1253 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1342 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
1254 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1343 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
1255 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1344 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
1256 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
1257 -----------+------------+------------+ 1345 --------------+------------+------------+
1258 1346
1259That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1347That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
1260about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1348about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
1261than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1349faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
1262favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1350to Storable for small amounts of data.
1263 1351
1264Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1352Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
1265search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>). 1353search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
1266 1354
1267 module | encode | decode | 1355 module | encode | decode |
1268 -----------|------------|------------| 1356 --------------|------------|------------|
1269 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1357 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
1270 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1358 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
1271 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1272 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1359 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
1273 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1360 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
1274 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1361 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
1275 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1362 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
1276 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1363 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
1277 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1364 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
1278 -----------+------------+------------+ 1365 --------------+------------+------------+
1279 1366
1280Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1367Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
1281decodes faster). 1368decodes a bit faster).
1282 1369
1283On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1370On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
1284(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1371(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
1285will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1372will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
1286to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1373to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
1322information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS 1409information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1323will not end up in front of untrusted eyes. 1410will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1324 1411
1325If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1412If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1326by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1413by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1327L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1414L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1328you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1415see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1329design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1416are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1330browser developers care only for features, not about getting security 1417it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1331right). 1418security right).
1332 1419
1333 1420
1334=head1 THREADS 1421=head1 THREADS
1335 1422
1336This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1423This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1337plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the 1424plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
1338horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated 1425horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
1339process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1426process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1340 1427
1341(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1428(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1429
1430
1431=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1432
1433Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1434system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1435
1436This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1437numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1438print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1439perl to stringify numbers).
1440
1441The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1442categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1443
1444If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1445actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1446afterwards.
1342 1447
1343 1448
1344=head1 BUGS 1449=head1 BUGS
1345 1450
1346While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1451While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does

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