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Revision 1.65 by root, Sat Oct 13 01:55:31 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.114 by root, Wed Jan 21 05:34:08 2009 UTC

1=head1 NAME
2
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4
1=encoding utf-8 5=encoding utf-8
2
3=head1 NAME
4
5JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
6 6
7JSON::XS - 正しくて高速な JSON シリアライザ/デシリアライザ 7JSON::XS - 正しくて高速な JSON シリアライザ/デシリアライザ
8 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html) 8 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html)
9 9
10=head1 SYNOPSIS 10=head1 SYNOPSIS
12 use JSON::XS; 12 use JSON::XS;
13 13
14 # exported functions, they croak on error 14 # exported functions, they croak on error
15 # and expect/generate UTF-8 15 # and expect/generate UTF-8
16 16
17 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref; 17 $utf8_encoded_json_text = encode_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
18 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text; 18 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = decode_json $utf8_encoded_json_text;
19 19
20 # OO-interface 20 # OO-interface
21 21
22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref; 22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar); 23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text); 24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
25 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
26=head1 DESCRIPTION 34=head1 DESCRIPTION
27 35
28This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
29primary 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
30I<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.
31 47
32As 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
33to 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
34modules, 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
35their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
36reports for other reasons. 52reports for other reasons.
37 53
38See COMPARISON, below, for a comparison to some other JSON modules.
39
40See 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
41vice versa. 55vice versa.
42 56
43=head2 FEATURES 57=head2 FEATURES
44 58
45=over 4 59=over 4
46 60
47=item * correct unicode handling 61=item * correct Unicode handling
48 62
49This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when 63This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
50it does so. 64so, and even documents what "correct" means.
51 65
52=item * round-trip integrity 66=item * round-trip integrity
53 67
54When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
55by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 69by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
56(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks 70(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks
57like a number). 71like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING
72section below to learn about those.
58 73
59=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
60 75
61There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
62and 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
63feature). 78feature).
64 79
65=item * fast 80=item * fast
66 81
67Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 82Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
68of speed, too. 83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
69 84
70=item * simple to use 85=item * simple to use
71 86
72This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO 87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
73interface. 88oriented interface interface.
74 89
75=item * reasonably versatile output formats 90=item * reasonably versatile output formats
76 91
77You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
78possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
79(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
80unicode 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
81stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 96stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
82 97
83=back 98=back
84 99
85=cut 100=cut
86 101
87package JSON::XS; 102package JSON::XS;
88 103
104no warnings;
89use strict; 105use strict;
90 106
91our $VERSION = '1.51'; 107our $VERSION = '2.231';
92our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 108our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
93 109
94our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 110our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
111
112sub to_json($) {
113 require Carp;
114 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::to_json has been renamed to encode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
115}
116
117sub from_json($) {
118 require Carp;
119 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::from_json has been renamed to decode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
120}
95 121
96use Exporter; 122use Exporter;
97use XSLoader; 123use XSLoader;
98 124
99=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 125=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
100 126
101The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 127The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
102exported by default: 128exported by default:
103 129
104=over 4 130=over 4
105 131
106=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 132=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
107 133
108Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string 134Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
109(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error. 135(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
110 136
111This function call is functionally identical to: 137This function call is functionally identical to:
112 138
113 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 139 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
114 140
115except being faster. 141Except being faster.
116 142
117=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 143=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
118 144
119The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries 145The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
120to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting 146to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
121reference. Croaks on error. 147reference. Croaks on error.
122 148
123This function call is functionally identical to: 149This function call is functionally identical to:
124 150
125 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 151 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
126 152
127except being faster. 153Except being faster.
128 154
129=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar 155=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
130 156
131Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or 157Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
132JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively 158JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
145 171
146=over 4 172=over 4
147 173
148=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255. 174=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
149 175
150This enables you to store unicode characters as single characters in a 176This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
151Perl string - very natural. 177Perl string - very natural.
152 178
153=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings. 179=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
154 180
155Unless you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or printing 181... until you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or
156the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your string as 182printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
157locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending on various 183string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
158settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your data, it is 184on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
159I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical metadata. 185data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
160 186
161=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the 187=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
162encoding of your string. 188encoding of your string.
163 189
164Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in 190Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in
165XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only 191XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only
166confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string 192confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string
167is encoded. You can have unicode strings with that flag set, with that 193is encoded. You can have Unicode strings with that flag set, with that
168flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag 194flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag
169clear. Other possibilities exist, too. 195clear. Other possibilities exist, too.
170 196
171If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't 197If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
172exist. 198exist.
173 199
174=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be 200=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
175validly interpreted as a Unicode codepoint. 201validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
176 202
177If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a 203If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
178Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string. 204Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
179 205
180=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string. 206=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
181 207
182Its a fact. Learn to live with it. 208It's a fact. Learn to live with it.
183 209
184=back 210=back
185 211
186I hope this helps :) 212I hope this helps :)
187 213
204 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 230 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
205 => {"a": [1, 2]} 231 => {"a": [1, 2]}
206 232
207=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 233=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
208 234
235=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
236
209If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 237If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
210generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 238generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
211unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 239Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
212single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 240single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
213as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native 241as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native
214unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string, 242Unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string,
215or any other superset of ASCII. 243or any other superset of ASCII.
216 244
217If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 245If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
218characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 246characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
219in a faster and more compact format. 247in a faster and more compact format.
220 248
249See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
250document.
251
221The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be 252The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be
222transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not 253transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not
223contain any 8 bit characters. 254contain any 8 bit characters.
224 255
225 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 256 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
226 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 257 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
227 258
228=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 259=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
229 260
261=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
262
230If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 263If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
231the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 264the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
232outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 265outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
233latin1-encoded JSON text or a native unicode string. The C<decode> method 266latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
234will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 267will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
235expects unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 268expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
236 269
237If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 270If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
238characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. 271characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags.
272
273See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
274document.
239 275
240The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON 276The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON
241text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded 277text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded
242size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 278size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
243in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 279in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
244transfering), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when 280transferring), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when
245you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently 281you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently
246in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders. 282in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders.
247 283
248 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 284 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
249 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 285 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
250 286
251=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 287=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
288
289=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
252 290
253If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 291If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
254the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 292the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
255C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 293C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
256note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 294note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
257range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 295range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
258versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 296versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
259and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 297and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
260 298
261If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 299If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
262string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 300string as a (non-encoded) Unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
263unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 301Unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
264to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 302to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
303
304See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
305document.
265 306
266Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 307Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
267 308
268 use Encode; 309 use Encode;
269 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 310 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
290 ] 331 ]
291 } 332 }
292 333
293=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 334=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
294 335
336=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
337
295If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 338If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
296format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 339format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
297into its own line, identing them properly. 340into its own line, indenting them properly.
298 341
299If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 342If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
300resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 343resulting JSON text is guaranteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
301 344
302This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 345This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
303 346
304=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 347=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
348
349=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
305 350
306If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 351If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
307optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 352optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
308 353
309If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 354If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
315Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 360Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
316 361
317 {"key" :"value"} 362 {"key" :"value"}
318 363
319=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 364=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
365
366=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
320 367
321If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 368If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
322optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 369optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
323and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 370and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
324members. 371members.
331Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 378Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
332 379
333 {"key": "value"} 380 {"key": "value"}
334 381
335=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable]) 382=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
383
384=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
336 385
337If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 386If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
338extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 387extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
339affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid 388affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
340JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to 389JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
377 426
378=back 427=back
379 428
380=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 429=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
381 430
431=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
432
382If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 433If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
383by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 434by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
384 435
385If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 436If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
386pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 437pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
387of the same script). 438of the same script).
388 439
389This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 440This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
390the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 441the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
391the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 442the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
392as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 443as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
393 444
394This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 445This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
395 446
396=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 447=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
448
449=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
397 450
398If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 451If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
399non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 452non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
400which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 453which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
401values instead of croaking. 454values instead of croaking.
409resulting in an invalid JSON text: 462resulting in an invalid JSON text:
410 463
411 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 464 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
412 => "Hello, World!" 465 => "Hello, World!"
413 466
467=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
468
469=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
470
471If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode> will I<not> throw an
472exception when it encounters values it cannot represent in JSON (for
473example, filehandles) but instead will encode a JSON C<null> value. Note
474that blessed objects are not included here and are handled separately by
475c<allow_nonref>.
476
477If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
478exception when it encounters anything it cannot encode as JSON.
479
480This option does not affect C<decode> in any way, and it is recommended to
481leave it off unless you know your communications partner.
482
414=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 483=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
484
485=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
415 486
416If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 487If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
417barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 488barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
418B<convert_blessed> option will decide wether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 489B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
419disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the 490disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
420object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being 491object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
421encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>. 492encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
422 493
423If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 494If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
424exception when it encounters a blessed object. 495exception when it encounters a blessed object.
425 496
426=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 497=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
498
499=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
427 500
428If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 501If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
429blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 502blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
430on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 503on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context
431and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 504and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no
435The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 508The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
436returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 509returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
437way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 510way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
438(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 511(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
439methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 512methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
440usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with the C<to_json> 513usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
441function. 514function or method.
442 515
443This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 516This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the
444future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 517future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
445enabled by this setting. 518enabled by this setting.
446 519
488 561
489As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object> 562As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object>
490one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key 563one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key
491objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially 564objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially
492as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept 565as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept
493as JSON gets (its basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not 566as JSON gets (it's basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not
494support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks 567support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks
495like a serialised Perl hash. 568like a serialised Perl hash.
496 569
497Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or 570Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or
498C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even 571C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even
522 595
523 { __widget__ => $self->{id} } 596 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
524 } 597 }
525 598
526=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 599=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
600
601=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
527 602
528Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 603Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
529strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 604strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
530C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 605C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
531memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many 606memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
549strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 624strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
550internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 625internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
551 626
552=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 627=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
553 628
629=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
630
554Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 631Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
555or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 632or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in JSON text or a Perl
556higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 633data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
557stop and croak at that point. 634point.
558 635
559Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 636Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
560needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[> 637needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
561characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 638characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
562given character in a string. 639given character in a string.
563 640
564Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 641Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
565that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 642that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
566 643
567The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next highest power
568of two. If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be 644If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
569used, which is rarely useful. 645is rarely useful.
646
647Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
648been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
649crashing.
570 650
571See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 651See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
572 652
573=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 653=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
654
655=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
574 656
575Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 657Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
576being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 658being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
577is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 659is called on a string that is longer then this many bytes, it will not
578attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 660attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
579effect on C<encode> (yet). 661effect on C<encode> (yet).
580 662
581The argument to C<max_size> will be rounded up to the next B<highest> 663If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same as when
582power of two (so may be more than requested). If no argument is given, the 664C<0> is specified).
583limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
584 665
585See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 666See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
586 667
587=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 668=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
588 669
617 => ([], 3) 698 => ([], 3)
618 699
619=back 700=back
620 701
621 702
703=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
704
705In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
706texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
707Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
708JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
709a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
710using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but
711is much more efficient (and can be implemented with a minimum of method
712calls).
713
714JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
715has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
716truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
717early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect parenthese
718mismatches. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
719soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
720to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
721parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
722
723The following methods implement this incremental parser.
724
725=over 4
726
727=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
728
729This is the central parsing function. It can both append new text and
730extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these
731functions are optional).
732
733If C<$string> is given, then this string is appended to the already
734existing JSON fragment stored in the C<$json> object.
735
736After that, if the function is called in void context, it will simply
737return without doing anything further. This can be used to add more text
738in as many chunks as you want.
739
740If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
741exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
742object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
743this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
744C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of
745using the method.
746
747And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
748from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
749otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
750objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
751an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
752case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
753lost.
754
755=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
756
757This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
758is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
759C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
760all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it.
761although in simple tests it might actually work, it I<will> fail under
762real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this
763method before having parsed anything.
764
765This function is useful in two cases: a) finding the trailing text after a
766JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
767(such as commas).
768
769=item $json->incr_skip
770
771This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove
772the parsed text from the input buffer so far. This is useful after
773C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser
774state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
775parse state.
776
777The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
778occured is removed.
779
780=item $json->incr_reset
781
782This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
783it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
784
785This is useful if you want to repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
786ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
787each successful decode.
788
789=back
790
791=head2 LIMITATIONS
792
793All options that affect decoding are supported, except
794C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to
795work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate
796them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true
797for JSON numbers, however.
798
799For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the
800start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation
801of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS
802takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
803
804=head2 EXAMPLES
805
806Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that
807works similarly to C<decode_prefix>: We want to decode the JSON object at
808the start of a string and identify the portion after the JSON object:
809
810 my $text = "[1,2,3] hello";
811
812 my $json = new JSON::XS;
813
814 my $obj = $json->incr_parse ($text)
815 or die "expected JSON object or array at beginning of string";
816
817 my $tail = $json->incr_text;
818 # $tail now contains " hello"
819
820Easy, isn't it?
821
822Now for a more complicated example: Imagine a hypothetical protocol where
823you read some requests from a TCP stream, and each request is a JSON
824array, without any separation between them (in fact, it is often useful to
825use newlines as "separators", as these get interpreted as whitespace at
826the start of the JSON text, which makes it possible to test said protocol
827with C<telnet>...).
828
829Here is how you'd do it (it is trivial to write this in an event-based
830manner):
831
832 my $json = new JSON::XS;
833
834 # read some data from the socket
835 while (sysread $socket, my $buf, 4096) {
836
837 # split and decode as many requests as possible
838 for my $request ($json->incr_parse ($buf)) {
839 # act on the $request
840 }
841 }
842
843Another complicated example: Assume you have a string with JSON objects
844or arrays, all separated by (optional) comma characters (e.g. C<[1],[2],
845[3]>). To parse them, we have to skip the commas between the JSON texts,
846and here is where the lvalue-ness of C<incr_text> comes in useful:
847
848 my $text = "[1],[2], [3]";
849 my $json = new JSON::XS;
850
851 # void context, so no parsing done
852 $json->incr_parse ($text);
853
854 # now extract as many objects as possible. note the
855 # use of scalar context so incr_text can be called.
856 while (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
857 # do something with $obj
858
859 # now skip the optional comma
860 $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* , //x;
861 }
862
863Now lets go for a very complex example: Assume that you have a gigantic
864JSON array-of-objects, many gigabytes in size, and you want to parse it,
865but you cannot load it into memory fully (this has actually happened in
866the real world :).
867
868Well, you lost, you have to implement your own JSON parser. But JSON::XS
869can still help you: You implement a (very simple) array parser and let
870JSON decode the array elements, which are all full JSON objects on their
871own (this wouldn't work if the array elements could be JSON numbers, for
872example):
873
874 my $json = new JSON::XS;
875
876 # open the monster
877 open my $fh, "<bigfile.json"
878 or die "bigfile: $!";
879
880 # first parse the initial "["
881 for (;;) {
882 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
883 or die "read error: $!";
884 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
885
886 # Exit the loop once we found and removed(!) the initial "[".
887 # In essence, we are (ab-)using the $json object as a simple scalar
888 # we append data to.
889 last if $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* \[ //x;
890 }
891
892 # now we have the skipped the initial "[", so continue
893 # parsing all the elements.
894 for (;;) {
895 # in this loop we read data until we got a single JSON object
896 for (;;) {
897 if (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
898 # do something with $obj
899 last;
900 }
901
902 # add more data
903 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
904 or die "read error: $!";
905 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
906 }
907
908 # in this loop we read data until we either found and parsed the
909 # separating "," between elements, or the final "]"
910 for (;;) {
911 # first skip whitespace
912 $json->incr_text =~ s/^\s*//;
913
914 # if we find "]", we are done
915 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^\]//) {
916 print "finished.\n";
917 exit;
918 }
919
920 # if we find ",", we can continue with the next element
921 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^,//) {
922 last;
923 }
924
925 # if we find anything else, we have a parse error!
926 if (length $json->incr_text) {
927 die "parse error near ", $json->incr_text;
928 }
929
930 # else add more data
931 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
932 or die "read error: $!";
933 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
934 }
935
936This is a complex example, but most of the complexity comes from the fact
937that we are trying to be correct (bear with me if I am wrong, I never ran
938the above example :).
939
940
941
622=head1 MAPPING 942=head1 MAPPING
623 943
624This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and 944This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and
625vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most 945vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
626circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 946circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
627(what you put in comes out as something equivalent). 947(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
628 948
629For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions, 949For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
630lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl> 950lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppercase I<Perl>
631refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 951refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
632 952
633 953
634=head2 JSON -> PERL 954=head2 JSON -> PERL
635 955
636=over 4 956=over 4
637 957
638=item object 958=item object
639 959
640A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 960A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
641keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself). 961keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
642 962
643=item array 963=item array
644 964
645A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 965A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
646 966
654 974
655A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or 975A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
656string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On 976string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On
657the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all 977the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
658the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and 978the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
659might represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 979might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
660 980
661If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 981If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
662it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 982it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
663a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 983a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
664precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value. 984precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
985which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
986re-encoded toa JSON string).
665 987
666Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 988Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
667represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 989represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
668precision. 990precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
669 991the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
670This might create round-tripping problems as numbers might become strings,
671but as Perl is typeless there is no other way to do it.
672 992
673=item true, false 993=item true, false
674 994
675These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 995These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
676respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 996respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
677C<1> and C<0>. You can check wether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 997C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using
678the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 998the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function.
679 999
680=item null 1000=item null
681 1001
682A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 1002A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
713Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1033Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
714exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1034exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
715C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1035C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
716also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 1036also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
717 1037
718 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1038 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
719 1039
720=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1040=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
721 1041
722These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1042These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
723respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1043respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
724 1044
725=item blessed objects 1045=item blessed objects
726 1046
727Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 1047Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
728underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 1048C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
729change in future versions. 1049how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an
1050exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
1051your own serialiser method.
730 1052
731=item simple scalars 1053=item simple scalars
732 1054
733Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1055Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
734difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1056difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
735JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 1057JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
736before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 1058before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
737 1059
738 # dump as number 1060 # dump as number
739 to_json [2] # yields [2] 1061 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
740 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 1062 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
741 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 1063 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
742 1064
743 # used as string, so dump as string 1065 # used as string, so dump as string
744 print $value; 1066 print $value;
745 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 1067 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
746 1068
747 # undef becomes null 1069 # undef becomes null
748 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 1070 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
749 1071
750You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it: 1072You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
751 1073
752 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 1074 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
753 "$x"; # stringified 1075 "$x"; # stringified
754 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 1076 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
755 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 1077 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
756 1078
757You can force the type to be a number by numifying it: 1079You can force the type to be a JSON number by numifying it:
758 1080
759 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 1081 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
760 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 1082 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
761 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 1083 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
762 1084
763You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 1085You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
764less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 1086if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1087:).
765 1088
766=back 1089=back
767 1090
768 1091
769=head1 COMPARISON 1092=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
770 1093
771As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 1094The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
772JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the 1095encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
773problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules, 1096some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
774followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 1097
775from any of these problems or limitations. 1098C<utf8> controls whether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
1099by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
1100control whether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
1101codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
1102some combinations make less sense than others.
1103
1104Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
1105C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
1106these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
1107- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
1108decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
1109
1110Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
1111simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
1112takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
1113octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
1114and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
1115the same time, which can be confusing.
776 1116
777=over 4 1117=over 4
778 1118
779=item JSON 1.07 1119=item C<utf8> flag disabled
780 1120
781Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 1121When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1122and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1123values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1124characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except
1125"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1126respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1127funny/weird/dumb stuff).
782 1128
783Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 1129This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
784undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing 1130want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
785en-/decoding oneself, but unicode escapes are not working properly). 1131the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
1132filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
1133to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
786 1134
787No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 1135=item C<utf8> flag enabled
788the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will
789decode into the number 2.
790 1136
791=item JSON::PC 0.01 1137If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
1138characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
1139expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
1140of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
1141that.
792 1142
793Very fast. 1143The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
1144will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded
1145octet/binary string in Perl.
794 1146
795Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 1147=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
796 1148
797No roundtripping. 1149With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
1150with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
1151characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
798 1152
799Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 1153If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
800values will make it croak). 1154character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
1155Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
1156ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
1157the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
801 1158
802Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 1159If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
803which is not a valid JSON text. 1160regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
1161C<\uXXXX> then before.
804 1162
805Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1163Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
806getting fixed). 1164encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
1165encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
1166a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
807 1167
808=item JSON::Syck 0.21 1168Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
1169values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
1170to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
1171Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
809 1172
810Very buggy (often crashes). 1173So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
1174they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
811 1175
812Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 1176The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
813undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 1177as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
814single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
815generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
816 1178
817Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 1179The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
818escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 1180with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
819I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 1181as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
820 11828-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
821No roundtripping (simple cases work, but this depends on wether the scalar 1183when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
822value was used in a numeric context or not). 1184might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
823 1185proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
824Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state.
825
826Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
827getting fixed).
828
829Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and
830return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security
831issue: imagine two banks transfering money between each other using
832JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
833while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
834good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
835the transaction will still not succeed).
836
837=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
838
839Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
840
841Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
842still don't get parsed properly).
843
844Very inflexible.
845
846No roundtripping.
847
848Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
849result in nothing being output)
850
851Does not check input for validity.
852 1186
853=back 1187=back
854 1188
855 1189
856=head2 JSON and YAML 1190=head2 JSON and YAML
857 1191
858You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1192You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
859however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1193hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
860no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1194so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1195JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1196cases.
861 1197
862If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1198If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
863algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1199algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
864 1200
865 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1201 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
866 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1202 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
867 1203
868This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1204This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
869YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1205YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
870lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1206lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1207unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are
871keys are noticably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1208noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that
1209you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP
1210(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in
1211strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON
1212generators might).
872 1213
873There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1214There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1215specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
874you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1216general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
875or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1217versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
876that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1218high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1219least expect it.
1220
1221=over 4
1222
1223=item (*)
1224
1225I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1226authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1227acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1228bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1229educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1230problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1231and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1232
1233In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1234clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1235proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1236that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1237educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1238real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1239point out that it isn't true.
1240
1241=back
877 1242
878 1243
879=head2 SPEED 1244=head2 SPEED
880 1245
881It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1246It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
882tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1247tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
883in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1248in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
884system. 1249system.
885 1250
886First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1251First comes a comparison between various modules using
887single-line JSON string: 1252a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1253L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
888 1254
889 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1255 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
890 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1256 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1257 true, false]}
891 1258
892It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1259It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
893the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1260the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
894with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1261with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
895shrink). Higher is better: 1262shrink). Higher is better:
896 1263
897 Storable | 15779.925 | 14169.946 |
898 -----------+------------+------------+
899 module | encode | decode | 1264 module | encode | decode |
900 -----------|------------|------------| 1265 -----------|------------|------------|
901 JSON | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1266 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 |
902 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1267 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 |
903 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1268 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 |
904 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1269 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 |
905 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1270 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 |
906 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1271 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 |
908 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1273 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 |
909 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 | 1274 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
910 -----------+------------+------------+ 1275 -----------+------------+------------+
911 1276
912That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1277That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
913about three times faster on decoding, and over fourty times faster 1278about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster
914than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1279than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares
915favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1280favourably to Storable for small amounts of data.
916 1281
917Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1282Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
918search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1283search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
919 1284
920 module | encode | decode | 1285 module | encode | decode |
921 -----------|------------|------------| 1286 -----------|------------|------------|
922 JSON | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1287 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 |
923 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1288 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 |
924 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 | 1289 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
925 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1290 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 |
926 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1291 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 |
927 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1292 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 |
931 -----------+------------+------------+ 1296 -----------+------------+------------+
932 1297
933Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1298Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
934decodes faster). 1299decodes faster).
935 1300
936On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules 1301On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
937(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1302(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
938will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse 1303will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
939to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1304to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
940comparison table for that case. 1305comparison table for that case.
941 1306
942 1307
943=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1308=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
949any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am 1314any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
950trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1315trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
951 1316
952Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should 1317Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
953limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your 1318limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your
954resources run out, thats just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that 1319resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that
955can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is 1320can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is
956usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode 1321usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode
957it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON 1322it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON
958text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you 1323text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you
959might want to check the size before you accept the string. 1324might want to check the size before you accept the string.
960 1325
961Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1326Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
962arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1327arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
963machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1328machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
964only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1329only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
965to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1330to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
966conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1331conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
967has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1332has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
968C<max_depth> method. 1333C<max_depth> method.
969 1334
970And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1335Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
971of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1336case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
972though... 1337
1338Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1339structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1340information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1341will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
973 1342
974If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1343If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
975by javascript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1344by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
976L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see wether 1345L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether
977you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1346you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser
978design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1347design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major
979browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1348browser developers care only for features, not about getting security
980right). 1349right).
981 1350
982 1351
983=head1 THREADS 1352=head1 THREADS
984 1353
985This module is I<not> guarenteed to be thread safe and there are no 1354This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
986plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the 1355plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
987horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated 1356horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
988process simulations - use fork, its I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1357process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
989 1358
990(It might actually work, but you ahve ben warned). 1359(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
991 1360
992 1361
993=head1 BUGS 1362=head1 BUGS
994 1363
995While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1364While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
996not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1365not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
997still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1366keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
998will be fixed swiftly, though.
999 1367
1000Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1368Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1001service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1369service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1002 1370
1003=cut 1371=cut
1023 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 }, 1391 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1024 fallback => 1; 1392 fallback => 1;
1025 1393
10261; 13941;
1027 1395
1396=head1 SEE ALSO
1397
1398The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1399
1028=head1 AUTHOR 1400=head1 AUTHOR
1029 1401
1030 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1402 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1031 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1403 http://home.schmorp.de/
1032 1404

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