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Revision 1.60 by root, Mon Aug 27 02:03:23 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.116 by root, Tue Feb 17 23:41:20 2009 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 19
15 # OO-interface 20 # OO-interface
16 21
17 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref; 22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
18 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar); 23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
19 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text); 24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
20 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
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 34=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 35
23This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
24primary 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
25I<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.
26 47
27As 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
28to 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
29modules, 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
30their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
31reports for other reasons. 52reports for other reasons.
32 53
33See COMPARISON, below, for a comparison to some other JSON modules.
34
35See 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
36vice versa. 55vice versa.
37 56
38=head2 FEATURES 57=head2 FEATURES
39 58
40=over 4 59=over 4
41 60
42=item * correct unicode handling 61=item * correct Unicode handling
43 62
44This 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
45it does so. 64so, and even documents what "correct" means.
46 65
47=item * round-trip integrity 66=item * round-trip integrity
48 67
49When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
50by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 69by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
51(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
52like a number). 71like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING
72section below to learn about those.
53 73
54=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
55 75
56There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
57and 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
58feature). 78feature).
59 79
60=item * fast 80=item * fast
61 81
62Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 82Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
63of speed, too. 83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
64 84
65=item * simple to use 85=item * simple to use
66 86
67This 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
68interface. 88oriented interface interface.
69 89
70=item * reasonably versatile output formats 90=item * reasonably versatile output formats
71 91
72You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
73possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
74(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
75unicode 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
76stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 96stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
77 97
78=back 98=back
79 99
80=cut 100=cut
81 101
82package JSON::XS; 102package JSON::XS;
83 103
104no warnings;
84use strict; 105use strict;
85 106
86our $VERSION = '1.5'; 107our $VERSION = '2.232';
87our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 108our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
88 109
89our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 110our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
111
112sub to_json($) {
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}
90 121
91use Exporter; 122use Exporter;
92use XSLoader; 123use XSLoader;
93 124
94=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 125=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
95 126
96The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 127The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
97exported by default: 128exported by default:
98 129
99=over 4 130=over 4
100 131
101=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 132=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
102 133
103Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to 134Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
104a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains 135(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
105octets only). Croaks on error.
106 136
107This function call is functionally identical to: 137This function call is functionally identical to:
108 138
109 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 139 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
110 140
111except being faster. 141Except being faster.
112 142
113=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 143=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
114 144
115The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to 145The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
116parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting simple 146to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
117scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 147reference. Croaks on error.
118 148
119This function call is functionally identical to: 149This function call is functionally identical to:
120 150
121 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 151 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
122 152
123except being faster. 153Except being faster.
124 154
125=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar 155=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
126 156
127Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or 157Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
128JSON::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
132Perl. 162Perl.
133 163
134=back 164=back
135 165
136 166
167=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
168
169Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on
170how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs.
171
172=over 4
173
174=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
175
176This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
177Perl string - very natural.
178
179=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
180
181... until you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or
182printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
183string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
184on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
185data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
186
187=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
188encoding of your string.
189
190Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in
191XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only
192confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string
193is encoded. You can have Unicode strings with that flag set, with that
194flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag
195clear. Other possibilities exist, too.
196
197If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
198exist.
199
200=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
201validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
202
203If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
204Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
205
206=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
207
208It's a fact. Learn to live with it.
209
210=back
211
212I hope this helps :)
213
214
137=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 215=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
138 216
139The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 217The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
140decoding style, within the limits of supported formats. 218decoding style, within the limits of supported formats.
141 219
152 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]})
153 => {"a": [1, 2]} 231 => {"a": [1, 2]}
154 232
155=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 233=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
156 234
235=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
236
157If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 237If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
158generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 238generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
159unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 239Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
160single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 240single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
161as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native 241as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native
162unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string, 242Unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string,
163or any other superset of ASCII. 243or any other superset of ASCII.
164 244
165If C<$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
166characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 246characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
167in a faster and more compact format. 247in a faster and more compact format.
168 248
249See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
250document.
251
169The 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
170transmitted 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
171contain any 8 bit characters. 254contain any 8 bit characters.
172 255
173 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 256 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
174 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 257 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
175 258
176=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 259=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
177 260
261=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
262
178If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 263If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
179the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 264the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
180outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 265outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
181latin1-encoded JSON text or a native unicode string. The C<decode> method 266latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
182will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 267will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
183expects unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 268expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
184 269
185If C<$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
186characters 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.
187 275
188The 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
189text, 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
190size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 278size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
191in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 279in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
192transfering), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when 280transferring), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when
193you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently 281you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently
194in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders. 282in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders.
195 283
196 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 284 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
197 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 285 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
198 286
199=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 287=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
288
289=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
200 290
201If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 291If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
202the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 292the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
203C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 293C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
204note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 294note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
205range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 295range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
206versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 296versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
207and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 297and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
208 298
209If C<$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
210string 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
211unicode 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
212to 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.
213 306
214Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 307Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
215 308
216 use Encode; 309 use Encode;
217 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 310 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
238 ] 331 ]
239 } 332 }
240 333
241=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 334=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
242 335
336=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
337
243If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 338If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
244format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 339format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
245into its own line, identing them properly. 340into its own line, indenting them properly.
246 341
247If C<$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
248resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 343resulting JSON text is guaranteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
249 344
250This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 345This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
251 346
252=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 347=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
348
349=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
253 350
254If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 351If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
255optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 352optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
256 353
257If C<$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
263Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 360Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
264 361
265 {"key" :"value"} 362 {"key" :"value"}
266 363
267=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 364=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
365
366=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
268 367
269If C<$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
270optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 369optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
271and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 370and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
272members. 371members.
279Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 378Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
280 379
281 {"key": "value"} 380 {"key": "value"}
282 381
283=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable]) 382=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
383
384=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
284 385
285If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 386If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
286extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 387extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
287affected 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
288JSON 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
325 426
326=back 427=back
327 428
328=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 429=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
329 430
431=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
432
330If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 433If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
331by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 434by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
332 435
333If C<$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
334pairs 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
335of the same script). 438of the same script).
336 439
337This 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
338the 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,
339the 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,
340as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 443as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
341 444
342This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 445This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
343 446
344=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 447=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
448
449=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
345 450
346If C<$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
347non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 452non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
348which 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
349values instead of croaking. 454values instead of croaking.
357resulting in an invalid JSON text: 462resulting in an invalid JSON text:
358 463
359 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 464 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
360 => "Hello, World!" 465 => "Hello, World!"
361 466
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
362=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 483=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
484
485=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
363 486
364If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 487If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
365barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 488barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
366B<convert_blessed> option will decide wether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 489B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
367disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the 490disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
368object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being 491object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
369encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>. 492encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
370 493
371If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 494If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
372exception when it encounters a blessed object. 495exception when it encounters a blessed object.
373 496
374=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 497=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
498
499=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
375 500
376If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 501If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
377blessed 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
378on 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
379and 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
383The 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>
384returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 509returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
385way. 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
386(== 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
387methods 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
388usually 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>
389function. 514function or method.
390 515
391This 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
392future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 517future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
393enabled by this setting. 518enabled by this setting.
394 519
436 561
437As 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>
438one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key 563one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key
439objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially 564objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially
440as 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
441as 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
442support 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
443like a serialised Perl hash. 568like a serialised Perl hash.
444 569
445Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or 570Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or
446C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even 571C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even
470 595
471 { __widget__ => $self->{id} } 596 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
472 } 597 }
473 598
474=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 599=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
600
601=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
475 602
476Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 603Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
477strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 604strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
478C<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
479memory 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
497strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 624strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
498internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 625internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
499 626
500=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 627=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
501 628
629=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
630
502Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 631Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
503or 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
504higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 633data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
505stop and croak at that point. 634point.
506 635
507Nesting 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
508needs 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<[>
509characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 638characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
510given character in a string. 639given character in a string.
511 640
512Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 641Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
513that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 642that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
514 643
515The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next highest power
516of 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
517used, 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.
518 650
519See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 651See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
520 652
521=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
522 656
523Set 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
524being 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>
525is 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
526attempt 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
527effect on C<encode> (yet). 661effect on C<encode> (yet).
528 662
529The 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
530power of two (so may be more than requested). If no argument is given, the 664C<0> is specified).
531limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
532 665
533See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 666See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
534 667
535=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 668=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
536 669
565 => ([], 3) 698 => ([], 3)
566 699
567=back 700=back
568 701
569 702
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
570=head1 MAPPING 942=head1 MAPPING
571 943
572This 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
573vice 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
574circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 946circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
575(what you put in comes out as something equivalent). 947(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
576 948
577For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions, 949For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
578lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl> 950lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppercase I<Perl>
579refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 951refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
580 952
581 953
582=head2 JSON -> PERL 954=head2 JSON -> PERL
583 955
584=over 4 956=over 4
585 957
586=item object 958=item object
587 959
588A 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
589keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself). 961keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
590 962
591=item array 963=item array
592 964
593A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 965A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
594 966
602 974
603A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or 975A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
604string 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
605the 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
606the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and 978the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
607might represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 979might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
608 980
609If 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
610it 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
611a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 983a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
612precision. 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).
613 987
614Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 988Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
615represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 989represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
616precision. 990precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
617 991the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
618This might create round-tripping problems as numbers might become strings,
619but as Perl is typeless there is no other way to do it.
620 992
621=item true, false 993=item true, false
622 994
623These 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>,
624respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 996respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
625C<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
626the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 998the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function.
627 999
628=item null 1000=item null
629 1001
630A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 1002A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
661Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1033Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
662exception 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
663C<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
664also 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.
665 1037
666 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1038 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
667 1039
668=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1040=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
669 1041
670These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1042These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
671respectively. You cna alos use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1043respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
672 1044
673=item blessed objects 1045=item blessed objects
674 1046
675Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 1047Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
676underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 1048C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
677change 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.
678 1052
679=item simple scalars 1053=item simple scalars
680 1054
681Simple 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
682difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1056difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
683JSON 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
684before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 1058before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
685 1059
686 # dump as number 1060 # dump as number
687 to_json [2] # yields [2] 1061 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
688 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 1062 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
689 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 1063 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
690 1064
691 # used as string, so dump as string 1065 # used as string, so dump as string
692 print $value; 1066 print $value;
693 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 1067 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
694 1068
695 # undef becomes null 1069 # undef becomes null
696 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 1070 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
697 1071
698You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it: 1072You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
699 1073
700 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 1074 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
701 "$x"; # stringified 1075 "$x"; # stringified
702 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 1076 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
703 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 1077 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
704 1078
705You can force the type to be a number by numifying it: 1079You can force the type to be a JSON number by numifying it:
706 1080
707 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 1081 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
708 $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
709 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 1083 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
710 1084
711You 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
712less 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:).
713 1088
714=back 1089=back
715 1090
716 1091
717=head1 COMPARISON 1092=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
718 1093
719As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 1094The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
720JSON 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
721problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules, 1096some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
722followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 1097
723from 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.
724 1116
725=over 4 1117=over 4
726 1118
727=item JSON 1.07 1119=item C<utf8> flag disabled
728 1120
729Slow (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).
730 1128
731Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 1129This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
732undocumented. 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
733en-/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).
734 1134
735No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 1135=item C<utf8> flag enabled
736the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will
737decode into the number 2.
738 1136
739=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.
740 1142
741Very 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.
742 1146
743Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 1147=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
744 1148
745No 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.
746 1152
747Has 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
748values 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).
749 1158
750Does 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,
751which is not a valid JSON text. 1160regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
1161C<\uXXXX> then before.
752 1162
753Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1163Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
754getting 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.
755 1167
756=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.
757 1172
758Very 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.
759 1175
760Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 1176The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
761undocumented. 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.
762single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
763generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
764 1178
765Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 1179The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
766escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 1180with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
767I<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
768 11828-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
769No 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
770value was used in a numeric context or not). 1184might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
771 1185proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
772Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state.
773
774Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
775getting fixed).
776
777Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and
778return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security
779issue: imagine two banks transfering money between each other using
780JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
781while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
782good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
783the transaction will still not succeed).
784
785=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
786
787Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
788
789Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
790still don't get parsed properly).
791
792Very inflexible.
793
794No roundtripping.
795
796Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
797result in nothing being output)
798
799Does not check input for validity.
800 1186
801=back 1187=back
802 1188
803 1189
1190=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1191
1192JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1193not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1194called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1195
1196However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1197ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1198implement).
1199
1200If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1201might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1202structure might not be queryable:
1203
1204One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1205JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1206following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1207to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1208
1209 use JSON::XS;
1210
1211 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1212
1213The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1214programs, and not rely on C<eval>.
1215
1216If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1217ASCII-only JSON:
1218
1219 use JSON::XS;
1220
1221 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1222
1223And if you are concerned about the size of the resulting JSON text, you
1224can run some regexes to only escape U+2028 and U+2029:
1225
1226 use JSON::XS;
1227
1228 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1229 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1230 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1231 print $json;
1232
1233This works because U+2028/U+2029 are not allowed outside of strings and
1234are not used for syntax, so replacing them unconditionally just works.
1235
1236Note, however, that fixing the broken JSON parser is better than working
1237around it in every other generator. The above regexes should work well in
1238other languages, as long as they operate on UTF-8. It is equally valid to
1239replace all occurences of U+2028/2029 directly by their \\u-escaped forms
1240in unicode texts, so they can simply be used to fix any parsers relying on
1241C<eval> by first applying the regexes on the encoded texts.
1242
1243Note also that the above only works for U+2028 and U+2029 and thus
1244only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing javascript
1245implementations misparse other characters as well. Best rely on a good
1246JSON parser, such as Douglas Crockfords F<json2.js>, which escapes the
1247above and many more problematic characters properly before passing them
1248into C<eval>.
1249
1250Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1251some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1252them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1253C<__proto__> property name for it's own purposes.
1254
1255If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1256output for these property strings, e.g.:
1257
1258 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1259
1260This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1261occurence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1262
1263If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1264
1265
804=head2 JSON and YAML 1266=head2 JSON and YAML
805 1267
806You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1268You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
807however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1269hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
808no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1270so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1271JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1272cases.
809 1273
810If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1274If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
811algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1275algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
812 1276
813 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1277 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
814 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1278 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
815 1279
816This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1280This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
817YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1281YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
818lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1282lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1283unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are
819keys are noticably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1284noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that
1285you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP
1286(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in
1287strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON
1288generators might).
820 1289
821There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1290There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1291specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
822you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1292general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
823or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1293versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
824that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1294high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1295least expect it.
1296
1297=over 4
1298
1299=item (*)
1300
1301I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1302authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1303acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1304bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1305educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1306problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1307and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1308
1309In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1310clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1311proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1312that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1313educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1314real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1315point out that it isn't true.
1316
1317=back
825 1318
826 1319
827=head2 SPEED 1320=head2 SPEED
828 1321
829It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1322It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
830tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1323tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
831in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1324in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
832system. 1325system.
833 1326
834First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1327First comes a comparison between various modules using
835single-line JSON string: 1328a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1329L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
836 1330
837 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1331 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
838 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1332 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1333 true, false]}
839 1334
840It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1335It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
841the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1336the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
842with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1337with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
843shrink). Higher is better: 1338shrink). Higher is better:
844 1339
845 Storable | 15779.925 | 14169.946 |
846 -----------+------------+------------+
847 module | encode | decode | 1340 module | encode | decode |
848 -----------|------------|------------| 1341 -----------|------------|------------|
849 JSON | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1342 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 |
850 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1343 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 |
851 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1344 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 |
852 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1345 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 |
853 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1346 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 |
854 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1347 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 |
856 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1349 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 |
857 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 | 1350 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
858 -----------+------------+------------+ 1351 -----------+------------+------------+
859 1352
860That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1353That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
861about three times faster on decoding, and over fourty times faster 1354about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster
862than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1355than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares
863favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1356favourably to Storable for small amounts of data.
864 1357
865Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1358Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
866search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1359search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
867 1360
868 module | encode | decode | 1361 module | encode | decode |
869 -----------|------------|------------| 1362 -----------|------------|------------|
870 JSON | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1363 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 |
871 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1364 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 |
872 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 | 1365 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
873 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1366 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 |
874 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1367 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 |
875 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1368 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 |
879 -----------+------------+------------+ 1372 -----------+------------+------------+
880 1373
881Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1374Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
882decodes faster). 1375decodes faster).
883 1376
884On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules 1377On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
885(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1378(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
886will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse 1379will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
887to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1380to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
888comparison table for that case. 1381comparison table for that case.
889 1382
890 1383
891=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1384=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
897any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am 1390any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
898trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1391trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
899 1392
900Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should 1393Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
901limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your 1394limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your
902resources run out, thats just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that 1395resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that
903can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is 1396can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is
904usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode 1397usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode
905it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON 1398it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON
906text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you 1399text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you
907might want to check the size before you accept the string. 1400might want to check the size before you accept the string.
908 1401
909Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1402Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
910arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1403arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
911machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1404machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
912only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1405only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
913to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1406to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
914conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1407conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
915has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1408has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
916C<max_depth> method. 1409C<max_depth> method.
917 1410
918And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1411Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
919of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1412case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
920though... 1413
1414Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1415structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1416information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1417will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
921 1418
922If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1419If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
923by javascript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1420by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
924L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see wether 1421L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether
925you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1422you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser
926design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1423design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major
927browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1424browser developers care only for features, not about getting security
928right). 1425right).
929 1426
930 1427
1428=head1 THREADS
1429
1430This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1431plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
1432horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
1433process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1434
1435(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1436
1437
931=head1 BUGS 1438=head1 BUGS
932 1439
933While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1440While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
934not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1441not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
935still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1442keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
936will be fixed swiftly, though. 1443
1444Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1445service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
937 1446
938=cut 1447=cut
939 1448
940our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1449our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };
941our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1450our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };
958 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 }, 1467 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
959 fallback => 1; 1468 fallback => 1;
960 1469
9611; 14701;
962 1471
1472=head1 SEE ALSO
1473
1474The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1475
963=head1 AUTHOR 1476=head1 AUTHOR
964 1477
965 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1478 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
966 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1479 http://home.schmorp.de/
967 1480

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