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Revision 1.140 by root, Thu Jun 27 11:45:17 2013 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4
3=encoding utf-8 5=encoding utf-8
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
37primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be 37primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be
38I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C. 38I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C.
39 39
40Beginning with version 2.0 of the JSON module, when both JSON and 40Beginning with version 2.0 of the JSON module, when both JSON and
41JSON::XS are installed, then JSON will fall back on JSON::XS (this can be 41JSON::XS are installed, then JSON will fall back on JSON::XS (this can be
42overriden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheritign constructor 42overridden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheriting constructor
43and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the 43and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the
44compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS 44compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS
45gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need and doesn't 45gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need and doesn't
46require a C compiler when that is a problem. 46require a C compiler when that is a problem.
47 47
49to write yet another JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON 49to write yet another JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON
50modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases 50modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases
51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
52reports for other reasons. 52reports for other reasons.
53 53
54See COMPARISON, below, for a comparison to some other JSON modules.
55
56See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and 54See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and
57vice versa. 55vice versa.
58 56
59=head2 FEATURES 57=head2 FEATURES
60 58
65This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does 63This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
66so, and even documents what "correct" means. 64so, and even documents what "correct" means.
67 65
68=item * round-trip integrity 66=item * round-trip integrity
69 67
70When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
71by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 69by JSON and Perl, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl
72(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks 70level. (e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because
73like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING 71it looks like a number). There I<are> minor exceptions to this, read the
74section below to learn about those. 72MAPPING section below to learn about those.
75 73
76=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
77 75
78There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
79and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security 77and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
84Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable, 82Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
85this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too. 83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
86 84
87=item * simple to use 85=item * simple to use
88 86
89This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an objetc 87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
90oriented interface interface. 88oriented interface.
91 89
92=item * reasonably versatile output formats 90=item * reasonably versatile output formats
93 91
94You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format 92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
95possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
96(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole 94(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole
97Unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that 95Unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that
98stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 96stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
99 97
100=back 98=back
101 99
102=cut 100=cut
103 101
104package JSON::XS; 102package JSON::XS;
105 103
106use strict; 104use common::sense;
107 105
108our $VERSION = '2.2'; 106our $VERSION = 2.34;
109our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 107our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
110 108
111our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json); 109our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
112 110
113sub to_json($) { 111sub to_json($) {
137 135
138This function call is functionally identical to: 136This function call is functionally identical to:
139 137
140 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 138 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
141 139
142except being faster. 140Except being faster.
143 141
144=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text 142=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
145 143
146The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries 144The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
147to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting 145to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
149 147
150This function call is functionally identical to: 148This function call is functionally identical to:
151 149
152 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 150 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
153 151
154except being faster. 152Except being faster.
155 153
156=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar 154=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
157 155
158Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or 156Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
159JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively 157JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
197 195
198If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't 196If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
199exist. 197exist.
200 198
201=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be 199=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
202validly interpreted as a Unicode codepoint. 200validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
203 201
204If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a 202If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
205Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string. 203Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
206 204
207=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string. 205=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
434If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 432If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
435by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 433by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
436 434
437If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 435If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
438pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 436pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
439of the same script). 437of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
438onwards).
440 439
441This 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
442the 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,
443the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 442the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
444as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 443as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
445 444
446This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 445This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
446
447This setting has currently no effect on tied hashes.
447 448
448=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 449=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
449 450
450=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 451=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
451 452
628=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 629=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
629 630
630=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth 631=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
631 632
632Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 633Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
633or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 634or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in JSON text or a Perl
634higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 635data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
635stop and croak at that point. 636point.
636 637
637Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 638Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
638needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[> 639needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
639characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 640characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
640given character in a string. 641given character in a string.
641 642
642Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 643Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
643that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 644that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
644 645
645The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next highest power
646of two. If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be 646If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
647used, which is rarely useful. 647is rarely useful.
648
649Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
650been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
651crashing.
648 652
649See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 653See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
650 654
651=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 655=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
652 656
653=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size 657=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
654 658
655Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 659Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
656being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 660being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
657is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 661is called on a string that is longer then this many bytes, it will not
658attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 662attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
659effect on C<encode> (yet). 663effect on C<encode> (yet).
660 664
661The argument to C<max_size> will be rounded up to the next B<highest> 665If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same as when
662power of two (so may be more than requested). If no argument is given, the 666C<0> is specified).
663limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
664 667
665See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 668See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
666 669
667=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 670=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
668 671
699=back 702=back
700 703
701 704
702=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING 705=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
703 706
704[This section and the API it details is still EXPERIMENTAL]
705
706In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON 707In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
707texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting 708texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
708Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a 709Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
709JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has 710JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
710a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to 711a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
711using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but is 712using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but
712much more efficient (JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text 713is much more efficient (and can be implemented with a minimum of method
714calls).
715
716JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
713once it is sure it has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very 717has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
714simple but truly incremental parser). 718truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
719early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
720parentheses. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
721soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
722to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
723parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
715 724
716The following two methods deal with this. 725The following methods implement this incremental parser.
717 726
718=over 4 727=over 4
719 728
720=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string]) 729=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
721 730
732 741
733If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract 742If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
734exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this 743exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
735object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error, 744object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
736this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use 745this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
737C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of 746C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
738using the method. 747using the method.
739 748
740And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects 749And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
741from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list 750from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
742otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON 751otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
743objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 752objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
744an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context 753an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
745case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be 754case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
746lost. 755lost.
747 756
757Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
758them.
759
760 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
761
748=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text 762=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
749 763
750This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that 764This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
751is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to 765is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
752C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under 766C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
759JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text 773JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
760(such as commas). 774(such as commas).
761 775
762=item $json->incr_skip 776=item $json->incr_skip
763 777
764This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove the 778This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove
765parsed text from the input buffer. This is useful after C<incr_parse> 779the parsed text from the input buffer so far. This is useful after
766died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser state is left 780C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser
767unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the parse state. 781state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
782parse state.
783
784The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
785occurred is removed.
786
787=item $json->incr_reset
788
789This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
790it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
791
792This is useful if you want to repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
793ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
794each successful decode.
768 795
769=back 796=back
770 797
771=head2 LIMITATIONS 798=head2 LIMITATIONS
772 799
961If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 988If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
962it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 989it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
963a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 990a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
964precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in 991precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
965which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be 992which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
966re-encoded toa JSON string). 993re-encoded to a JSON string).
967 994
968Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 995Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
969represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 996represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
970precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but 997precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
971the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number). 998the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
999
1000Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
1001represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
1002floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
1003the least significant bit.
972 1004
973=item true, false 1005=item true, false
974 1006
975These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 1007These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
976respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 1008respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
1013Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1045Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
1014exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1046exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
1015C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1047C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
1016also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 1048also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
1017 1049
1018 encode_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1050 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
1019 1051
1020=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1052=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
1021 1053
1022These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1054These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
1023respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1055respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
1063 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours. 1095 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
1064 1096
1065You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1097You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
1066if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed 1098if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1067:). 1099:).
1100
1101Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1102binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1103can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1104extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1105infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1106error to pass those in.
1068 1107
1069=back 1108=back
1070 1109
1071 1110
1072=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES 1111=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1099=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1138=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1100 1139
1101When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate 1140When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1102and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1141and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1103values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such 1142values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1104characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except 1143characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1105"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters, 1144"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1106respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do 1145respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1107funny/weird/dumb stuff). 1146funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1108 1147
1109This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you 1148This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1165proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world. 1204proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
1166 1205
1167=back 1206=back
1168 1207
1169 1208
1209=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1210
1211JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1212not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1213called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1214
1215However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1216ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1217implement).
1218
1219If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1220might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1221structure might not be queryable:
1222
1223One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1224JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1225following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1226to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1227
1228 use JSON::XS;
1229
1230 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1231
1232The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1233programs, and not rely on C<eval> (see for example Douglas Crockford's
1234F<json2.js> parser).
1235
1236If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1237ASCII-only JSON:
1238
1239 use JSON::XS;
1240
1241 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1242
1243Note that this will enlarge the resulting JSON text quite a bit if you
1244have many non-ASCII characters. You might be tempted to run some regexes
1245to only escape U+2028 and U+2029, e.g.:
1246
1247 # DO NOT USE THIS!
1248 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1249 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1250 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1251 print $json;
1252
1253Note that I<this is a bad idea>: the above only works for U+2028 and
1254U+2029 and thus only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing
1255javascript implementations, however, have issues with other characters as
1256well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1257
1258Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1259some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1260them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1261C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1262
1263If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1264output for these property strings, e.g.:
1265
1266 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1267
1268This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1269occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1270
1271If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1272
1273
1170=head2 JSON and YAML 1274=head2 JSON and YAML
1171 1275
1172You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass 1276You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
1173hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing), 1277hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
1174so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure 1278so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1182 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1286 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
1183 1287
1184This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1288This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
1185YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1289YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
1186lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible 1290lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1187unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are 1291unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
1188noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that 1292keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1189you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP 1293and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1190(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in 1294Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1191strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON 1295sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1192generators might). 1296other JSON generators might).
1193 1297
1194There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML 1298There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1195specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In 1299specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
1196general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice 1300general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
1197versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are 1301versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
1216that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and 1320that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1217educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the 1321educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1218real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who 1322real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1219point out that it isn't true. 1323point out that it isn't true.
1220 1324
1325Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1326though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1327for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1328of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1329corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1330
1221=back 1331=back
1222 1332
1223 1333
1224=head2 SPEED 1334=head2 SPEED
1225 1335
1232a very short single-line JSON string (also available at 1342a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1233L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>). 1343L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
1234 1344
1235 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", 1345 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
1236 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, 1346 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1237 true, false]} 1347 1, 0]}
1238 1348
1239It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1349It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
1240the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1350the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
1241with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1351with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
1242shrink). Higher is better: 1352shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1353uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
1243 1354
1244 module | encode | decode | 1355 module | encode | decode |
1245 -----------|------------|------------| 1356 --------------|------------|------------|
1246 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1357 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
1247 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1358 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
1248 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1359 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
1249 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1360 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
1250 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1361 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
1251 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1362 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
1252 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1363 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
1253 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1364 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
1254 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
1255 -----------+------------+------------+ 1365 --------------+------------+------------+
1256 1366
1257That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1367That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
1258about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1368about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
1259than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1369faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
1260favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1370to Storable for small amounts of data.
1261 1371
1262Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1372Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
1263search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>). 1373search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
1264 1374
1265 module | encode | decode | 1375 module | encode | decode |
1266 -----------|------------|------------| 1376 --------------|------------|------------|
1267 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1377 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
1268 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1378 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
1269 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1270 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1379 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
1271 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1380 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
1272 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1381 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
1273 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1382 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
1274 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1383 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
1275 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1384 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
1276 -----------+------------+------------+ 1385 --------------+------------+------------+
1277 1386
1278Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1387Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
1279decodes faster). 1388decodes a bit faster).
1280 1389
1281On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1390On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
1282(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1391(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
1283will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1392will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
1284to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1393to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
1320information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS 1429information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1321will not end up in front of untrusted eyes. 1430will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1322 1431
1323If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1432If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1324by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1433by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1325L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1434L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1326you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1435see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1327design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1436are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1328browser developers care only for features, not about getting security 1437it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1329right). 1438security right).
1330 1439
1331 1440
1332=head1 THREADS 1441=head1 THREADS
1333 1442
1334This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1443This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1337process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1446process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1338 1447
1339(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1448(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1340 1449
1341 1450
1451=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1452
1453Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1454system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1455
1456This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1457numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1458print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1459perl to stringify numbers).
1460
1461The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1462categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1463
1464If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1465actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1466afterwards.
1467
1468
1342=head1 BUGS 1469=head1 BUGS
1343 1470
1344While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1471While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
1345not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1472not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
1346still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1473keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
1347will be fixed swiftly, though.
1348 1474
1349Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1475Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1350service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1476service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1351 1477
1352=cut 1478=cut

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