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Revision 1.145 by root, Tue Oct 29 00:06:40 2013 UTC

64so, and even documents what "correct" means. 64so, and even documents what "correct" means.
65 65
66=item * round-trip integrity 66=item * round-trip integrity
67 67
68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported 68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
69by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 69by JSON and Perl, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl
70(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
71like 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
72section below to learn about those. 72MAPPING section below to learn about those.
73 73
74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
75 75
76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
77and 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
83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too. 83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
84 84
85=item * simple to use 85=item * simple to use
86 86
87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object 87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
88oriented interface interface. 88oriented interface.
89 89
90=item * reasonably versatile output formats 90=item * reasonably versatile output formats
91 91
92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format 92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format 93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
99 99
100=cut 100=cut
101 101
102package JSON::XS; 102package JSON::XS;
103 103
104no warnings; 104use common::sense;
105use strict;
106 105
107our $VERSION = '2.231'; 106our $VERSION = '3.0';
108our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 107our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
109 108
110our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json); 109our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json);
111
112sub to_json($) {
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}
121 110
122use Exporter; 111use Exporter;
123use XSLoader; 112use XSLoader;
113
114use Types::Serialiser ();
124 115
125=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 116=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
126 117
127The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 118The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
128exported by default: 119exported by default:
149This function call is functionally identical to: 140This function call is functionally identical to:
150 141
151 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 142 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
152 143
153Except being faster. 144Except being faster.
154
155=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
156
157Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
158JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
159and are used to represent JSON C<true> and C<false> values in Perl.
160
161See MAPPING, below, for more information on how JSON values are mapped to
162Perl.
163 145
164=back 146=back
165 147
166 148
167=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL 149=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
433If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 415If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
434by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 416by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
435 417
436If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 418If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
437pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 419pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
438of the same script). 420of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
421onwards).
439 422
440This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 423This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
441the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 424the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
442the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 425the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
443as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 426as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
444 427
445This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 428This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
429
430This setting has currently no effect on tied hashes.
446 431
447=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 432=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
448 433
449=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 434=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
450 435
665 650
666See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 651See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
667 652
668=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 653=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
669 654
670Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 655Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
671to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 656representation. Croaks on error.
672converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
673become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
674Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
675nor C<false> values will be generated.
676 657
677=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 658=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
678 659
679The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it, 660The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
680returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 661returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
681
682JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
683Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
684C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
685 662
686=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 663=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
687 664
688This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception 665This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception
689when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 666when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
690silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed 667silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed
691so far. 668so far.
692 669
693This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol 670This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol
694(which is not the brightest thing to do in the first place) and you need
695to know where the JSON text ends. 671and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
696 672
697 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 673 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
698 => ([], 3) 674 => ([], 3)
699 675
700=back 676=back
712calls). 688calls).
713 689
714JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it 690JSON::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 691has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
716truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as 692truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
717early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect parenthese 693early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
718mismatches. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as 694parentheses. 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 695soon 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 696to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
721parsing in the presence if syntax errors. 697parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
722 698
723The following methods implement this incremental parser. 699The following methods implement this incremental parser.
739 715
740If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract 716If 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 717exactly 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, 718object, 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 719this 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 720C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
745using the method. 721using the method.
746 722
747And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects 723And 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 724from 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 725otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
750objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 726objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
751an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context 727an 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 728case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
753lost. 729lost.
754 730
731Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
732them.
733
734 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
735
755=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text 736=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
756 737
757This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that 738This 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 739is, 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 740C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
773C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser 754C<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 755state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
775parse state. 756parse state.
776 757
777The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error 758The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
778occured is removed. 759occurred is removed.
779 760
780=item $json->incr_reset 761=item $json->incr_reset
781 762
782This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call, 763This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
783it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything. 764it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
789=back 770=back
790 771
791=head2 LIMITATIONS 772=head2 LIMITATIONS
792 773
793All options that affect decoding are supported, except 774All options that affect decoding are supported, except
794C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to 775C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to work
795work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate 776sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can
796them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true 777concatenate them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does
797for JSON numbers, however. 778not hold true for JSON numbers, however.
798 779
799For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the 780For 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 781start 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 782of 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. 783takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
981If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 962If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
982it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 963it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
983a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 964a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
984precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in 965precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
985which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be 966which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
986re-encoded toa JSON string). 967re-encoded to a JSON string).
987 968
988Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 969Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
989represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 970represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
990precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but 971precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
991the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number). 972the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
992 973
974Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
975represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
976floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
977the least significant bit.
978
993=item true, false 979=item true, false
994 980
995These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 981These JSON atoms become C<Types::Serialiser::true> and
996respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 982C<Types::Serialiser::false>, respectively. They are overloaded to act
997C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 983almost exactly like the numbers C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether
998the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 984a scalar is a JSON boolean by using the C<Types::Serialiser::is_bool>
985function (after C<use Types::Serialier>, of course).
999 986
1000=item null 987=item null
1001 988
1002A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 989A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
990
991=item shell-style comments (C<< # I<text> >>)
992
993As a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax that is enabled by the
994C<relaxed> setting, shell-style comments are allowed. They can start
995anywhere outside strings and go till the end of the line.
996
997=item tagged values (C<< (I<tag>)I<value> >>).
998
999Another nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax, enabled with the
1000C<allow_tags> setting, are tagged values. In this implementation, the
1001I<tag> must be a perl package/class name encoded as a JSON string, and the
1002I<value> must be a JSON array encoding optional constructor arguments.
1003
1004See "OBJECT SERIALISATION", below, for details.
1003 1005
1004=back 1006=back
1005 1007
1006 1008
1007=head2 PERL -> JSON 1009=head2 PERL -> JSON
1012 1014
1013=over 4 1015=over 4
1014 1016
1015=item hash references 1017=item hash references
1016 1018
1017Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1019Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
1018in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1020ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
1019pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1021in a pseudo-random order. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash keys
1020stays generally the same within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can 1022(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
1021optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1023serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
1022the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1024JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
1023settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1025e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text against another for equality.
1024and is only rarely useful, e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text
1025against another for equality.
1026 1026
1027=item array references 1027=item array references
1028 1028
1029Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1029Perl array references become JSON arrays.
1030 1030
1031=item other references 1031=item other references
1032 1032
1033Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1033Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
1034exception 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
1035C<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.
1036also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
1037 1036
1037Since C<JSON::XS> uses the boolean model from L<Types::Serialiser>, you
1038can also C<use Types::Serialiser> and then use C<Types::Serialiser::false>
1039and C<Types::Serialiser::true> to improve readability.
1040
1041 use Types::Serialiser;
1038 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1042 encode_json [\0, Types::Serialiser::true] # yields [false,true]
1039 1043
1040=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1044=item Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false
1041 1045
1042These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1046These special values from the L<Types::Serialiser> module become JSON true
1043respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1047and JSON false values, respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0>
1048directly if you want.
1044 1049
1045=item blessed objects 1050=item blessed objects
1046 1051
1047Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the 1052Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON, but C<JSON::XS>
1048C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on 1053allows various ways of handling objects. See "OBJECT SERIALISATION",
1049how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an 1054below, for details.
1050exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
1051your own serialiser method.
1052 1055
1053=item simple scalars 1056=item simple scalars
1054 1057
1055Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1058Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
1056difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1059difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
1084 1087
1085You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1088You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
1086if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed 1089if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1087:). 1090:).
1088 1091
1092Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1093binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1094can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1095extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1096infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1097error to pass those in.
1098
1089=back 1099=back
1100
1101=head2 OBJECT SERIALISATION
1102
1103As JSON cannot directly represent Perl objects, you have to choose between
1104a pure JSON representation (without the ability to deserialise the object
1105automatically again), and a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax,
1106tagged values.
1107
1108=head3 SERIALISATION
1109
1110What happens when C<JSON::XS> encounters a Perl object depends on the
1111C<allow_blessed>, C<convert_blessed> and C<allow_tags> settings, which are
1112used in this order:
1113
1114=over 4
1115
1116=item 1. C<allow_tags> is enabled and object has a C<FREEZE> method.
1117
1118In this case, C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> object
1119serialisation protocol to create a tagged JSON value, using a nonstandard
1120extension to the JSON syntax.
1121
1122This works by invoking the C<FREEZE> method on the object, with the first
1123argument being the object to serialise, and the second argument being the
1124constant string C<JSON> to distinguish it from other serialisers.
1125
1126The C<FREEZE> method can return any number of values (i.e. zero or
1127more). These values and the paclkage/classname of the object will then be
1128encoded as a tagged JSON value in the following format:
1129
1130 ("classname")[FREEZE return values...]
1131
1132For example, the hypothetical C<My::Object> C<FREEZE> method might use the
1133objects C<type> and C<id> members to encode the object:
1134
1135 sub My::Object::FREEZE {
1136 my ($self, $serialiser) = @_;
1137
1138 ($self->{type}, $self->{id})
1139 }
1140
1141=item 2. C<convert_blessed> is enabled and object has a C<TO_JSON> method.
1142
1143In this case, the C<TO_JSON> method of the object is invoked in scalar
1144context. It must return a single scalar that can be directly encoded into
1145JSON. This scalar replaces the object in the JSON text.
1146
1147For example, the following C<TO_JSON> method will convert all L<URI>
1148objects to JSON strings when serialised. The fatc that these values
1149originally were L<URI> objects is lost.
1150
1151 sub URI::TO_JSON {
1152 my ($uri) = @_;
1153 $uri->as_string
1154 }
1155
1156=item 3. C<allow_blessed> is enabled.
1157
1158The object will be serialised as a JSON null value.
1159
1160=item 4. none of the above
1161
1162If none of the settings are enabled or the respective methods are missing,
1163C<JSON::XS> throws an exception.
1164
1165=back
1166
1167=head3 DESERIALISATION
1168
1169For deserialisation there are only two cases to consider: either
1170nonstandard tagging was used, in which case C<allow_tags> decides,
1171or objects cannot be automatically be deserialised, in which
1172case you can use postprocessing or the C<filter_json_object> or
1173C<filter_json_single_key_object> callbacks to get some real objects our of
1174your JSON.
1175
1176This section only considers the tagged value case: I a tagged JSON object
1177is encountered during decoding and C<allow_tags> is disabled, a parse
1178error will result (as if tagged values were not part of the grammar).
1179
1180If C<allow_tags> is enabled, C<JSON::XS> will look up the C<THAW> method
1181of the package/classname used during serialisation. If there is no such
1182method, the decoding will fail with an error.
1183
1184Otherwise, the C<THAW> method is invoked with the classname as first
1185argument, the constant string C<JSON> as second argument, and all the
1186values from the JSON array (the values originally returned by the
1187C<FREEZE> method) as remaining arguments.
1188
1189The method must then return the object. While technically you can return
1190any Perl scalar, you might have to enable the C<enable_nonref> setting to
1191make that work in all cases, so better return an actual blessed reference.
1192
1193As an example, let's implement a C<THAW> function that regenerates the
1194C<My::Object> from the C<FREEZE> example earlier:
1195
1196 sub My::Object::THAW {
1197 my ($class, $serialiser, $type, $id) = @_;
1198
1199 $class->new (type => $type, id => $id)
1200 }
1090 1201
1091 1202
1092=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES 1203=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1093 1204
1094The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify 1205The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
1119=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1230=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1120 1231
1121When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate 1232When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1122and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1233and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1123values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such 1234values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1124characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except 1235characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1125"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters, 1236"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1126respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do 1237respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1127funny/weird/dumb stuff). 1238funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1128 1239
1129This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you 1240This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1185proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world. 1296proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
1186 1297
1187=back 1298=back
1188 1299
1189 1300
1301=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1302
1303JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1304not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1305called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1306
1307However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1308ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1309implement).
1310
1311If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1312might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1313structure might not be queryable:
1314
1315One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1316JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1317following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1318to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1319
1320 use JSON::XS;
1321
1322 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1323
1324The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1325programs, and not rely on C<eval> (see for example Douglas Crockford's
1326F<json2.js> parser).
1327
1328If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1329ASCII-only JSON:
1330
1331 use JSON::XS;
1332
1333 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1334
1335Note that this will enlarge the resulting JSON text quite a bit if you
1336have many non-ASCII characters. You might be tempted to run some regexes
1337to only escape U+2028 and U+2029, e.g.:
1338
1339 # DO NOT USE THIS!
1340 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1341 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1342 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1343 print $json;
1344
1345Note that I<this is a bad idea>: the above only works for U+2028 and
1346U+2029 and thus only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing
1347javascript implementations, however, have issues with other characters as
1348well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1349
1350Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1351some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1352them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1353C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1354
1355If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1356output for these property strings, e.g.:
1357
1358 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1359
1360This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1361occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1362
1363If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1364
1365
1190=head2 JSON and YAML 1366=head2 JSON and YAML
1191 1367
1192You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass 1368You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
1193hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing), 1369hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
1194so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure 1370so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1202 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1378 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
1203 1379
1204This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1380This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
1205YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1381YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
1206lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible 1382lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1207unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are 1383unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
1208noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that 1384keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1209you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP 1385and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1210(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in 1386Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1211strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON 1387sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1212generators might). 1388other JSON generators might).
1213 1389
1214There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML 1390There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1215specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In 1391specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
1216general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice 1392general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
1217versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are 1393versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
1236that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and 1412that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1237educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the 1413educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1238real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who 1414real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1239point out that it isn't true. 1415point out that it isn't true.
1240 1416
1417Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1418though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1419for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1420of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1421corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1422
1241=back 1423=back
1242 1424
1243 1425
1244=head2 SPEED 1426=head2 SPEED
1245 1427
1252a very short single-line JSON string (also available at 1434a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1253L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>). 1435L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
1254 1436
1255 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", 1437 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
1256 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, 1438 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1257 true, false]} 1439 1, 0]}
1258 1440
1259It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1441It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
1260the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1442the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
1261with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1443with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
1262shrink). Higher is better: 1444shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1445uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
1263 1446
1264 module | encode | decode | 1447 module | encode | decode |
1265 -----------|------------|------------| 1448 --------------|------------|------------|
1266 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1449 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
1267 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1450 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
1268 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1451 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
1269 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1452 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
1270 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1453 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
1271 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1454 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
1272 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1455 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
1273 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1456 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
1274 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
1275 -----------+------------+------------+ 1457 --------------+------------+------------+
1276 1458
1277That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1459That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
1278about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1460about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
1279than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1461faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
1280favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1462to Storable for small amounts of data.
1281 1463
1282Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1464Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
1283search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>). 1465search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
1284 1466
1285 module | encode | decode | 1467 module | encode | decode |
1286 -----------|------------|------------| 1468 --------------|------------|------------|
1287 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1469 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
1288 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1470 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
1289 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1290 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1471 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
1291 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1472 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
1292 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1473 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
1293 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1474 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
1294 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1475 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
1295 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1476 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
1296 -----------+------------+------------+ 1477 --------------+------------+------------+
1297 1478
1298Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1479Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
1299decodes faster). 1480decodes a bit faster).
1300 1481
1301On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1482On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
1302(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1483(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
1303will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1484will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
1304to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1485to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
1340information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS 1521information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1341will not end up in front of untrusted eyes. 1522will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1342 1523
1343If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1524If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1344by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1525by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1345L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1526L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1346you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1527see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1347design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1528are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1348browser developers care only for features, not about getting security 1529it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1349right). 1530security right).
1531
1532
1533=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES
1534
1535C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean
1536constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be
1537comaptible to true and false values of iother modules that do the same,
1538such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>.
1350 1539
1351 1540
1352=head1 THREADS 1541=head1 THREADS
1353 1542
1354This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1543This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1357process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1546process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1358 1547
1359(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1548(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1360 1549
1361 1550
1551=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1552
1553Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1554system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1555
1556This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1557numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1558print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1559perl to stringify numbers).
1560
1561The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1562categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1563
1564If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1565actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1566afterwards.
1567
1568
1362=head1 BUGS 1569=head1 BUGS
1363 1570
1364While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1571While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
1365not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you 1572not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
1366keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though. 1573keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
1368Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1575Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1369service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1576service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1370 1577
1371=cut 1578=cut
1372 1579
1373our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1580BEGIN {
1374our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1581 *true = \$Types::Serialiser::true;
1582 *true = \&Types::Serialiser::true;
1583 *false = \$Types::Serialiser::false;
1584 *false = \&Types::Serialiser::false;
1585 *is_bool = \&Types::Serialiser::is_bool;
1375 1586
1376sub true() { $true } 1587 *JSON::XS::Boolean:: = *Types::Serialiser::Boolean::;
1377sub false() { $false }
1378
1379sub is_bool($) {
1380 UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::XS::Boolean"
1381# or UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::Literal"
1382} 1588}
1383 1589
1384XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION; 1590XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION;
1385
1386package JSON::XS::Boolean;
1387
1388use overload
1389 "0+" => sub { ${$_[0]} },
1390 "++" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} + 1 },
1391 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1392 fallback => 1;
1393
13941;
1395 1591
1396=head1 SEE ALSO 1592=head1 SEE ALSO
1397 1593
1398The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments. 1594The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1399 1595
1402 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1598 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1403 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1599 http://home.schmorp.de/
1404 1600
1405=cut 1601=cut
1406 1602
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