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Revision 1.42 by root, Thu Jun 14 23:58:57 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.106 by root, Tue May 27 05:31:39 2008 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast 3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4
5=encoding utf-8
6
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)
4 9
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 10=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 11
7 use JSON::XS; 12 use JSON::XS;
8 13
9 # exported functions, they croak on error 14 # exported functions, they croak on error
10 # and expect/generate UTF-8 15 # and expect/generate UTF-8
11 16
12 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref; 17 $utf8_encoded_json_text = encode_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
13 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text; 18 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = decode_json $utf8_encoded_json_text;
14
15 # objToJson and jsonToObj aliases to to_json and from_json
16 # are exported for compatibility to the JSON module,
17 # but should not be used in new code.
18 19
19 # OO-interface 20 # OO-interface
20 21
21 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref; 22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
22 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar); 23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
23 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text); 24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
24 25
26 # Note that JSON version 2.0 and above will automatically use JSON::XS
27 # if available, at virtually no speed overhead either, so you should
28 # be able to just:
29
30 use JSON;
31
32 # and do the same things, except that you have a pure-perl fallback now.
33
25=head1 DESCRIPTION 34=head1 DESCRIPTION
26 35
27This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
28primary 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
29I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C. 38I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C.
39
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
42overridden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheriting constructor
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
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.
30 47
31As this is the n-th-something JSON module on CPAN, what was the reason 48As this is the n-th-something JSON module on CPAN, what was the reason
32to 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
33modules, 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
34their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
41 58
42=head2 FEATURES 59=head2 FEATURES
43 60
44=over 4 61=over 4
45 62
46=item * correct unicode handling 63=item * correct Unicode handling
47 64
48This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when 65This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
49it does so. 66so, and even documents what "correct" means.
50 67
51=item * round-trip integrity 68=item * round-trip integrity
52 69
53When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 70When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
54by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 71by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
55(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks 72(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks
56like a number). 73like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING
74section below to learn about those.
57 75
58=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 76=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
59 77
60There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 78There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
61and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security 79and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
62feature). 80feature).
63 81
64=item * fast 82=item * fast
65 83
66Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 84Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
67of speed, too. 85this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
68 86
69=item * simple to use 87=item * simple to use
70 88
71This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO 89This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
72interface. 90oriented interface interface.
73 91
74=item * reasonably versatile output formats 92=item * reasonably versatile output formats
75 93
76You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 94You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
77possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 95possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
78(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole 96(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole
79unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that 97Unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that
80stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 98stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
81 99
82=back 100=back
83 101
84=cut 102=cut
85 103
86package JSON::XS; 104package JSON::XS;
87 105
88use strict; 106use strict;
89 107
90BEGIN {
91 our $VERSION = '1.24'; 108our $VERSION = '2.2';
92 our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 109our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
93 110
94 our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json objToJson jsonToObj); 111our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
95 require Exporter;
96 112
113sub to_json($) {
97 require XSLoader; 114 require Carp;
98 XSLoader::load JSON::XS::, $VERSION; 115 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::to_json has been renamed to encode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
99} 116}
100 117
118sub from_json($) {
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
123use Exporter;
124use XSLoader;
125
101=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 126=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
102 127
103The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 128The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
104exported by default: 129exported by default:
105 130
106=over 4 131=over 4
107 132
108=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 133=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
109 134
110Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to 135Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
111a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains 136(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
112octets only). Croaks on error.
113 137
114This function call is functionally identical to: 138This function call is functionally identical to:
115 139
116 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 140 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
117 141
118except being faster. 142Except being faster.
119 143
120=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 144=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
121 145
122The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to 146The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
123parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting simple 147to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
124scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 148reference. Croaks on error.
125 149
126This function call is functionally identical to: 150This function call is functionally identical to:
127 151
128 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 152 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
129 153
130except being faster. 154Except being faster.
155
156=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
157
158Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
159JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
160and are used to represent JSON C<true> and C<false> values in Perl.
161
162See MAPPING, below, for more information on how JSON values are mapped to
163Perl.
131 164
132=back 165=back
166
167
168=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
169
170Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on
171how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs.
172
173=over 4
174
175=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
176
177This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
178Perl string - very natural.
179
180=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
181
182... until you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or
183printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
184string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
185on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
186data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
187
188=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
189encoding of your string.
190
191Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in
192XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only
193confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string
194is encoded. You can have Unicode strings with that flag set, with that
195flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag
196clear. Other possibilities exist, too.
197
198If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
199exist.
200
201=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
202validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
203
204If 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.
206
207=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
208
209It's a fact. Learn to live with it.
210
211=back
212
213I hope this helps :)
133 214
134 215
135=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 216=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
136 217
137The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 218The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
150 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 231 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
151 => {"a": [1, 2]} 232 => {"a": [1, 2]}
152 233
153=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 234=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
154 235
236=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
237
155If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 238If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
156generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 239generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
157unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 240Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
158single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 241single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
159as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native 242as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native
160unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string, 243Unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string,
161or any other superset of ASCII. 244or any other superset of ASCII.
162 245
163If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 246If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
164characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 247characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
165in a faster and more compact format. 248in a faster and more compact format.
166 249
250See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
251document.
252
167The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be 253The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be
168transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not 254transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not
169contain any 8 bit characters. 255contain any 8 bit characters.
170 256
171 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 257 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
172 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 258 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
173 259
174=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 260=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
175 261
262=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
263
176If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 264If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
177the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 265the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
178outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 266outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
179latin1-encoded JSON text or a native unicode string. The C<decode> method 267latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
180will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 268will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
181expects unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 269expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
182 270
183If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 271If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
184characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. 272characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags.
273
274See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
275document.
185 276
186The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON 277The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON
187text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded 278text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded
188size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 279size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
189in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 280in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
190transfering), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when 281transferring), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when
191you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently 282you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently
192in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders. 283in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders.
193 284
194 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 285 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
195 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 286 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
196 287
197=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 288=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
289
290=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
198 291
199If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 292If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
200the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 293the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
201C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 294C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
202note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 295note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
203range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 296range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
204versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 297versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
205and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 298and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
206 299
207If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 300If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
208string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 301string as a (non-encoded) Unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
209unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 302Unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
210to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 303to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
304
305See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
306document.
211 307
212Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 308Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
213 309
214 use Encode; 310 use Encode;
215 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 311 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
236 ] 332 ]
237 } 333 }
238 334
239=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 335=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
240 336
337=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
338
241If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 339If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
242format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 340format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
243into its own line, identing them properly. 341into its own line, indenting them properly.
244 342
245If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 343If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
246resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 344resulting JSON text is guaranteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
247 345
248This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 346This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
249 347
250=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 348=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
349
350=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
251 351
252If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 352If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
253optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 353optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
254 354
255If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 355If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
261Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 361Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
262 362
263 {"key" :"value"} 363 {"key" :"value"}
264 364
265=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 365=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
366
367=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
266 368
267If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 369If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
268optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 370optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
269and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 371and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
270members. 372members.
276 378
277Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 379Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
278 380
279 {"key": "value"} 381 {"key": "value"}
280 382
383=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
384
385=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
386
387If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
388extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
389affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
390JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
391parse application-specific files written by humans (configuration files,
392resource files etc.)
393
394If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<decode> will only accept
395valid JSON texts.
396
397Currently accepted extensions are:
398
399=over 4
400
401=item * list items can have an end-comma
402
403JSON I<separates> array elements and key-value pairs with commas. This
404can be annoying if you write JSON texts manually and want to be able to
405quickly append elements, so this extension accepts comma at the end of
406such items not just between them:
407
408 [
409 1,
410 2, <- this comma not normally allowed
411 ]
412 {
413 "k1": "v1",
414 "k2": "v2", <- this comma not normally allowed
415 }
416
417=item * shell-style '#'-comments
418
419Whenever JSON allows whitespace, shell-style comments are additionally
420allowed. They are terminated by the first carriage-return or line-feed
421character, after which more white-space and comments are allowed.
422
423 [
424 1, # this comment not allowed in JSON
425 # neither this one...
426 ]
427
428=back
429
281=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 430=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
431
432=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
282 433
283If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 434If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
284by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 435by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
285 436
286If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 437If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
287pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 438pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
288of the same script). 439of the same script).
289 440
290This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 441This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
291the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 442the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
292the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 443the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
293as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 444as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
294 445
295This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 446This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
296 447
297=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 448=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
449
450=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
298 451
299If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 452If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
300non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 453non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
301which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 454which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
302values instead of croaking. 455values instead of croaking.
310resulting in an invalid JSON text: 463resulting in an invalid JSON text:
311 464
312 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 465 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
313 => "Hello, World!" 466 => "Hello, World!"
314 467
468=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
469
470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
471
472If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode> will I<not> throw an
473exception when it encounters values it cannot represent in JSON (for
474example, filehandles) but instead will encode a JSON C<null> value. Note
475that blessed objects are not included here and are handled separately by
476c<allow_nonref>.
477
478If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
479exception when it encounters anything it cannot encode as JSON.
480
481This option does not affect C<decode> in any way, and it is recommended to
482leave it off unless you know your communications partner.
483
484=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
485
486=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
487
488If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
489barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
490B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
491disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
492object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
493encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
494
495If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
496exception when it encounters a blessed object.
497
498=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
499
500=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
501
502If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
503blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
504on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context
505and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no
506C<TO_JSON> method is found, the value of C<allow_blessed> will decide what
507to do.
508
509The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
510returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
511way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
512(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
513methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
514usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
515function or method.
516
517This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the
518future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
519enabled by this setting.
520
521If C<$enable> is false, then the C<allow_blessed> setting will decide what
522to do when a blessed object is found.
523
524=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)])
525
526When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each
527time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to the
528newly-created hash. If the code references returns a single scalar (which
529need not be a reference), this value (i.e. a copy of that scalar to avoid
530aliasing) is inserted into the deserialised data structure. If it returns
531an empty list (NOTE: I<not> C<undef>, which is a valid scalar), the
532original deserialised hash will be inserted. This setting can slow down
533decoding considerably.
534
535When C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, any existing callback will
536be removed and C<decode> will not change the deserialised hash in any
537way.
538
539Example, convert all JSON objects into the integer 5:
540
541 my $js = JSON::XS->new->filter_json_object (sub { 5 });
542 # returns [5]
543 $js->decode ('[{}]')
544 # throw an exception because allow_nonref is not enabled
545 # so a lone 5 is not allowed.
546 $js->decode ('{"a":1, "b":2}');
547
548=item $json = $json->filter_json_single_key_object ($key [=> $coderef->($value)])
549
550Works remotely similar to C<filter_json_object>, but is only called for
551JSON objects having a single key named C<$key>.
552
553This C<$coderef> is called before the one specified via
554C<filter_json_object>, if any. It gets passed the single value in the JSON
555object. If it returns a single value, it will be inserted into the data
556structure. If it returns nothing (not even C<undef> but the empty list),
557the callback from C<filter_json_object> will be called next, as if no
558single-key callback were specified.
559
560If C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, the corresponding callback will be
561disabled. There can only ever be one callback for a given key.
562
563As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object>
564one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key
565objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially
566as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept
567as JSON gets (it's basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not
568support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks
569like a serialised Perl hash.
570
571Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or
572C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even
573things like C<__class_md5sum(classname)__>, to reduce the risk of clashing
574with real hashes.
575
576Example, decode JSON objects of the form C<< { "__widget__" => <id> } >>
577into the corresponding C<< $WIDGET{<id>} >> object:
578
579 # return whatever is in $WIDGET{5}:
580 JSON::XS
581 ->new
582 ->filter_json_single_key_object (__widget__ => sub {
583 $WIDGET{ $_[0] }
584 })
585 ->decode ('{"__widget__": 5')
586
587 # this can be used with a TO_JSON method in some "widget" class
588 # for serialisation to json:
589 sub WidgetBase::TO_JSON {
590 my ($self) = @_;
591
592 unless ($self->{id}) {
593 $self->{id} = ..get..some..id..;
594 $WIDGET{$self->{id}} = $self;
595 }
596
597 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
598 }
599
315=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 600=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
601
602=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
316 603
317Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 604Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
318strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 605strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
319C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 606C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
320memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many 607memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
338strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 625strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
339internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 626internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
340 627
341=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 628=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
342 629
630=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
631
343Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 632Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
344or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 633or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in JSON text or a Perl
345higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 634data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
346stop and croak at that point. 635point.
347 636
348Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 637Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
349needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[> 638needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
350characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 639characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
351given character in a string. 640given character in a string.
352 641
353Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 642Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
354that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 643that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
355 644
356The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next nearest power 645If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
357of two. 646is rarely useful.
647
648Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
649been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
650crashing.
651
652See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
653
654=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
655
656=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
657
658Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
659being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
660is called on a string that is longer then this many bytes, it will not
661attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
662effect on C<encode> (yet).
663
664If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same as when
665C<0> is specified).
358 666
359See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 667See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
360 668
361=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 669=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
362 670
391 => ([], 3) 699 => ([], 3)
392 700
393=back 701=back
394 702
395 703
704=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
705
706In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
707texts. 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
709JSON 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
711using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but is
712much more efficient (JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text
713once it is sure it has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very
714simple but truly incremental parser).
715
716The following two methods deal with this.
717
718=over 4
719
720=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
721
722This is the central parsing function. It can both append new text and
723extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these
724functions are optional).
725
726If C<$string> is given, then this string is appended to the already
727existing JSON fragment stored in the C<$json> object.
728
729After that, if the function is called in void context, it will simply
730return without doing anything further. This can be used to add more text
731in as many chunks as you want.
732
733If 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
735object, 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
737C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of
738using the method.
739
740And 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
742otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
743objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
744an 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
746lost.
747
748=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
749
750This 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
752C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
753all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it.
754although in simple tests it might actually work, it I<will> fail under
755real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this
756method before having parsed anything.
757
758This function is useful in two cases: a) finding the trailing text after a
759JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
760(such as commas).
761
762=item $json->incr_skip
763
764This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove the
765parsed text from the input buffer. This is useful after C<incr_parse>
766died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser state is left
767unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the parse state.
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 ot repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
775ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
776each successful decode.
777
778=back
779
780=head2 LIMITATIONS
781
782All options that affect decoding are supported, except
783C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to
784work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate
785them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true
786for JSON numbers, however.
787
788For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the
789start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation
790of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS
791takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
792
793=head2 EXAMPLES
794
795Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that
796works similarly to C<decode_prefix>: We want to decode the JSON object at
797the start of a string and identify the portion after the JSON object:
798
799 my $text = "[1,2,3] hello";
800
801 my $json = new JSON::XS;
802
803 my $obj = $json->incr_parse ($text)
804 or die "expected JSON object or array at beginning of string";
805
806 my $tail = $json->incr_text;
807 # $tail now contains " hello"
808
809Easy, isn't it?
810
811Now for a more complicated example: Imagine a hypothetical protocol where
812you read some requests from a TCP stream, and each request is a JSON
813array, without any separation between them (in fact, it is often useful to
814use newlines as "separators", as these get interpreted as whitespace at
815the start of the JSON text, which makes it possible to test said protocol
816with C<telnet>...).
817
818Here is how you'd do it (it is trivial to write this in an event-based
819manner):
820
821 my $json = new JSON::XS;
822
823 # read some data from the socket
824 while (sysread $socket, my $buf, 4096) {
825
826 # split and decode as many requests as possible
827 for my $request ($json->incr_parse ($buf)) {
828 # act on the $request
829 }
830 }
831
832Another complicated example: Assume you have a string with JSON objects
833or arrays, all separated by (optional) comma characters (e.g. C<[1],[2],
834[3]>). To parse them, we have to skip the commas between the JSON texts,
835and here is where the lvalue-ness of C<incr_text> comes in useful:
836
837 my $text = "[1],[2], [3]";
838 my $json = new JSON::XS;
839
840 # void context, so no parsing done
841 $json->incr_parse ($text);
842
843 # now extract as many objects as possible. note the
844 # use of scalar context so incr_text can be called.
845 while (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
846 # do something with $obj
847
848 # now skip the optional comma
849 $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* , //x;
850 }
851
852Now lets go for a very complex example: Assume that you have a gigantic
853JSON array-of-objects, many gigabytes in size, and you want to parse it,
854but you cannot load it into memory fully (this has actually happened in
855the real world :).
856
857Well, you lost, you have to implement your own JSON parser. But JSON::XS
858can still help you: You implement a (very simple) array parser and let
859JSON decode the array elements, which are all full JSON objects on their
860own (this wouldn't work if the array elements could be JSON numbers, for
861example):
862
863 my $json = new JSON::XS;
864
865 # open the monster
866 open my $fh, "<bigfile.json"
867 or die "bigfile: $!";
868
869 # first parse the initial "["
870 for (;;) {
871 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
872 or die "read error: $!";
873 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
874
875 # Exit the loop once we found and removed(!) the initial "[".
876 # In essence, we are (ab-)using the $json object as a simple scalar
877 # we append data to.
878 last if $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* \[ //x;
879 }
880
881 # now we have the skipped the initial "[", so continue
882 # parsing all the elements.
883 for (;;) {
884 # in this loop we read data until we got a single JSON object
885 for (;;) {
886 if (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
887 # do something with $obj
888 last;
889 }
890
891 # add more data
892 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
893 or die "read error: $!";
894 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
895 }
896
897 # in this loop we read data until we either found and parsed the
898 # separating "," between elements, or the final "]"
899 for (;;) {
900 # first skip whitespace
901 $json->incr_text =~ s/^\s*//;
902
903 # if we find "]", we are done
904 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^\]//) {
905 print "finished.\n";
906 exit;
907 }
908
909 # if we find ",", we can continue with the next element
910 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^,//) {
911 last;
912 }
913
914 # if we find anything else, we have a parse error!
915 if (length $json->incr_text) {
916 die "parse error near ", $json->incr_text;
917 }
918
919 # else add more data
920 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
921 or die "read error: $!";
922 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
923 }
924
925This is a complex example, but most of the complexity comes from the fact
926that we are trying to be correct (bear with me if I am wrong, I never ran
927the above example :).
928
929
930
396=head1 MAPPING 931=head1 MAPPING
397 932
398This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and 933This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and
399vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most 934vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
400circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 935circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
401(what you put in comes out as something equivalent). 936(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
402 937
403For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions, 938For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
404lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl> 939lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppercase I<Perl>
405refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 940refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
406 941
407 942
408=head2 JSON -> PERL 943=head2 JSON -> PERL
409 944
410=over 4 945=over 4
411 946
412=item object 947=item object
413 948
414A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 949A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
415keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself). 950keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
416 951
417=item array 952=item array
418 953
419A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 954A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
420 955
424are represented by the same codepoints in the Perl string, so no manual 959are represented by the same codepoints in the Perl string, so no manual
425decoding is necessary. 960decoding is necessary.
426 961
427=item number 962=item number
428 963
429A JSON number becomes either an integer or numeric (floating point) 964A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
430scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On the 965string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On
431Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all the 966the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
432conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and might 967the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
433represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 968might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
969
970If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
971it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
972a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
973precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
974which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
975re-encoded toa JSON string).
976
977Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
978represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
979precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
980the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
434 981
435=item true, false 982=item true, false
436 983
437These JSON atoms become C<0>, C<1>, respectively. Information is lost in 984These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
438this process. Future versions might represent those values differently, 985respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
439but they will be guarenteed to act like these integers would normally in 986C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using
440Perl. 987the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function.
441 988
442=item null 989=item null
443 990
444A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 991A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
445 992
475Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1022Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
476exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1023exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
477C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1024C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
478also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 1025also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
479 1026
480 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1027 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
1028
1029=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
1030
1031These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
1032respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
481 1033
482=item blessed objects 1034=item blessed objects
483 1035
484Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 1036Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
485underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 1037C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
486change in future versions. 1038how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an
1039exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
1040your own serialiser method.
487 1041
488=item simple scalars 1042=item simple scalars
489 1043
490Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1044Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
491difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1045difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
492JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 1046JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
493before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 1047before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
494 1048
495 # dump as number 1049 # dump as number
496 to_json [2] # yields [2] 1050 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
497 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 1051 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
498 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 1052 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
499 1053
500 # used as string, so dump as string 1054 # used as string, so dump as string
501 print $value; 1055 print $value;
502 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 1056 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
503 1057
504 # undef becomes null 1058 # undef becomes null
505 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 1059 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
506 1060
507You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it: 1061You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
508 1062
509 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 1063 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
510 "$x"; # stringified 1064 "$x"; # stringified
511 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 1065 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
512 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 1066 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
513 1067
514You can force the type to be a number by numifying it: 1068You can force the type to be a JSON number by numifying it:
515 1069
516 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 1070 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
517 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 1071 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
518 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 1072 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
519 1073
520You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 1074You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
521less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 1075if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1076:).
522 1077
523=back 1078=back
524 1079
525 1080
526=head1 COMPARISON 1081=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
527 1082
528As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 1083The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
529JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the 1084encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
530problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules, 1085some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
531followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 1086
532from any of these problems or limitations. 1087C<utf8> controls whether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
1088by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
1089control whether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
1090codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
1091some combinations make less sense than others.
1092
1093Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
1094C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
1095these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
1096- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
1097decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
1098
1099Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
1100simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
1101takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
1102octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
1103and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
1104the same time, which can be confusing.
533 1105
534=over 4 1106=over 4
535 1107
536=item JSON 1.07 1108=item C<utf8> flag disabled
537 1109
538Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 1110When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1111and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1112values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1113characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except
1114"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1115respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1116funny/weird/dumb stuff).
539 1117
540Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 1118This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
541undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing 1119want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
542en-/decoding oneself, but unicode escapes are not working properly). 1120the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
1121filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
1122to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
543 1123
544No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 1124=item C<utf8> flag enabled
545the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will
546decode into the number 2.
547 1125
548=item JSON::PC 0.01 1126If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
1127characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
1128expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
1129of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
1130that.
549 1131
550Very fast. 1132The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
1133will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded
1134octet/binary string in Perl.
551 1135
552Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 1136=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
553 1137
554No roundtripping. 1138With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
1139with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
1140characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
555 1141
556Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 1142If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
557values will make it croak). 1143character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
1144Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
1145ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
1146the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
558 1147
559Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 1148If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
560which is not a valid JSON text. 1149regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
1150C<\uXXXX> then before.
561 1151
562Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1152Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
563getting fixed). 1153encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
1154encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
1155a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
564 1156
565=item JSON::Syck 0.21 1157Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
1158values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
1159to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
1160Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
566 1161
567Very buggy (often crashes). 1162So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
1163they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
568 1164
569Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 1165The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
570undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 1166as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
571single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
572generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
573 1167
574Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 1168The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
575escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 1169with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
576I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 1170as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
577 11718-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
578No roundtripping (simple cases work, but this depends on wether the scalar 1172when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
579value was used in a numeric context or not). 1173might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
580 1174proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
581Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state.
582
583Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
584getting fixed).
585
586Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and
587return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security
588issue: imagine two banks transfering money between each other using
589JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
590while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
591good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
592the transaction will still not succeed).
593
594=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
595
596Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
597
598Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
599still don't get parsed properly).
600
601Very inflexible.
602
603No roundtripping.
604
605Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
606result in nothing being output)
607
608Does not check input for validity.
609 1175
610=back 1176=back
611 1177
612 1178
613=head2 JSON and YAML 1179=head2 JSON and YAML
614 1180
615You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1181You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
616however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1182hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
617no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1183so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1184JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1185cases.
618 1186
619If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1187If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
620algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1188algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
621 1189
622 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1190 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
623 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1191 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
624 1192
625This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1193This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
626YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1194YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
627lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1195lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1196unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are
628keys are noticably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1197noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that
1198you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP
1199(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in
1200strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON
1201generators might).
629 1202
630There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1203There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1204specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
631you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1205general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
632or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1206versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
633that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1207high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1208least expect it.
1209
1210=over 4
1211
1212=item (*)
1213
1214I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1215authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1216acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1217bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1218educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1219problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1220and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1221
1222In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1223clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1224proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1225that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1226educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1227real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1228point out that it isn't true.
1229
1230=back
634 1231
635 1232
636=head2 SPEED 1233=head2 SPEED
637 1234
638It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1235It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
639tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1236tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
640in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1237in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
641system. 1238system.
642 1239
643First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1240First comes a comparison between various modules using
644single-line JSON string: 1241a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1242L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
645 1243
646 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1244 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
647 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1245 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1246 true, false]}
648 1247
649It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1248It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
650the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1249the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
651with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1250with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
652shrink). Higher is better: 1251shrink). Higher is better:
653 1252
654 module | encode | decode | 1253 module | encode | decode |
655 -----------|------------|------------| 1254 -----------|------------|------------|
656 JSON | 7645.468 | 4208.613 | 1255 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 |
657 JSON::DWIW | 40721.398 | 77101.176 | 1256 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 |
658 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 78251.940 | 1257 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 |
659 JSON::Syck | 22844.793 | 26479.192 | 1258 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 |
1259 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 |
660 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 199728.762 | 1260 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 |
661 JSON::XS/2 | 218453.333 | 192399.266 | 1261 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 |
662 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 192399.266 | 1262 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 |
663 Storable | 15779.925 | 14169.946 | 1263 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
664 -----------+------------+------------+ 1264 -----------+------------+------------+
665 1265
666That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1266That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
667about three times faster on decoding, and over fourty times faster 1267about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster
668than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1268than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares
669favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1269favourably to Storable for small amounts of data.
670 1270
671Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1271Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
672search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1272search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
673 1273
674 module | encode | decode | 1274 module | encode | decode |
675 -----------|------------|------------| 1275 -----------|------------|------------|
676 JSON | 254.685 | 37.665 | 1276 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 |
677 JSON::DWIW | 843.343 | 1049.731 | 1277 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 |
678 JSON::PC | 3602.116 | 2307.352 | 1278 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1279 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 |
679 JSON::Syck | 505.107 | 787.899 | 1280 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 |
680 JSON::XS | 5747.196 | 3690.220 | 1281 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 |
681 JSON::XS/2 | 3968.121 | 3676.634 | 1282 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 |
682 JSON::XS/3 | 6105.246 | 3662.508 | 1283 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 |
683 Storable | 4417.337 | 5285.161 | 1284 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 |
684 -----------+------------+------------+ 1285 -----------+------------+------------+
685 1286
686Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1287Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
687decodes faster). 1288decodes faster).
688 1289
689On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules 1290On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
690(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1291(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
691will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse 1292will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
692to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1293to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
693comparison table for that case. 1294comparison table for that case.
694 1295
695 1296
696=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1297=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
702any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am 1303any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
703trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1304trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
704 1305
705Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should 1306Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
706limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your 1307limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your
707resources run out, thats just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that 1308resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that
708can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is 1309can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is
709usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode 1310usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode
710it into a Perl structure. 1311it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON
1312text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you
1313might want to check the size before you accept the string.
711 1314
712Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1315Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
713arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1316arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
714machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1317machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
715only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1318only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
716to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1319to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
717conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1320conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
718has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1321has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
719C<max_depth> method. 1322C<max_depth> method.
720 1323
721And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1324Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
722of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1325case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
723though... 1326
1327Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1328structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1329information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1330will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
724 1331
725If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1332If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
726by javascript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1333by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
727L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see wether 1334L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether
728you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1335you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser
729design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1336design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major
730browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1337browser developers care only for features, not about getting security
731right). 1338right).
732 1339
733 1340
1341=head1 THREADS
1342
1343This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1344plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
1345horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
1346process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1347
1348(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1349
1350
734=head1 BUGS 1351=head1 BUGS
735 1352
736While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1353While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
737not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1354not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
738still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1355keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
739will be fixed swiftly, though. 1356
1357Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1358service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
740 1359
741=cut 1360=cut
742 1361
1362our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };
1363our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };
1364
743sub true() { \1 } 1365sub true() { $true }
744sub false() { \0 } 1366sub false() { $false }
1367
1368sub is_bool($) {
1369 UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::XS::Boolean"
1370# or UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::Literal"
1371}
1372
1373XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION;
1374
1375package JSON::XS::Boolean;
1376
1377use overload
1378 "0+" => sub { ${$_[0]} },
1379 "++" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} + 1 },
1380 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1381 fallback => 1;
745 1382
7461; 13831;
1384
1385=head1 SEE ALSO
1386
1387The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
747 1388
748=head1 AUTHOR 1389=head1 AUTHOR
749 1390
750 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1391 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
751 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1392 http://home.schmorp.de/

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