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Revision 1.121 by root, Mon Jul 13 22:13:17 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.146 by root, Tue Oct 29 00:18:55 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
101 101
102package JSON::XS; 102package JSON::XS;
103 103
104use common::sense; 104use common::sense;
105 105
106our $VERSION = '2.24'; 106our $VERSION = '3.0';
107our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 107our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
108 108
109our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json); 109our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json);
110
111sub to_json($) {
112 require Carp;
113 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");
114}
115
116sub from_json($) {
117 require Carp;
118 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");
119}
120 110
121use Exporter; 111use Exporter;
122use XSLoader; 112use XSLoader;
113
114use Types::Serialiser ();
123 115
124=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 116=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
125 117
126The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 118The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
127exported by default: 119exported by default:
148This function call is functionally identical to: 140This function call is functionally identical to:
149 141
150 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 142 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
151 143
152Except being faster. 144Except being faster.
153
154=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
155
156Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
157JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
158and are used to represent JSON C<true> and C<false> values in Perl.
159
160See MAPPING, below, for more information on how JSON values are mapped to
161Perl.
162 145
163=back 146=back
164 147
165 148
166=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL 149=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
432If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 415If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
433by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 416by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
434 417
435If C<$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
436pairs 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
437of the same script). 420of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
421onwards).
438 422
439This 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
440the 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,
441the 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,
442as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 426as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
443 427
444This 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.
445 431
446=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 432=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
447 433
448=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 434=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
449 435
481 467
482=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 468=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
483 469
484=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed 470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
485 471
472See "OBJECT SERIALISATION" for details.
473
486If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 474If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
487barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 475barf when it encounters a blessed reference that it cannot convert
488B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 476otherwise. Instead, a JSON C<null> value is encoded instead of the object.
489disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
490object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
491encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
492 477
493If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 478If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
494exception when it encounters a blessed object. 479exception when it encounters a blessed object that it cannot convert
480otherwise.
481
482This setting has no effect on C<decode>.
495 483
496=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 484=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
497 485
498=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed 486=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
487
488See "OBJECT SERIALISATION" for details.
499 489
500If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 490If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
501blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 491blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
502on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 492on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context and
503and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 493the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object.
504C<TO_JSON> method is found, the value of C<allow_blessed> will decide what
505to do.
506 494
507The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 495The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
508returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 496returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
509way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 497way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
510(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 498(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
511methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 499methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
512usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json> 500usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
513function or method. 501function or method.
514 502
515This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 503If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will not consider
516future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 504this type of conversion.
517enabled by this setting.
518 505
519If C<$enable> is false, then the C<allow_blessed> setting will decide what 506This setting has no effect on C<decode>.
520to do when a blessed object is found. 507
508=item $json = $json->allow_tags ([$enable])
509
510=item $enabled = $json->allow_tags
511
512See "OBJECT SERIALISATION" for details.
513
514If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
515blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<FREEZE> method on
516the object's class. If found, it will be used to serialise the object into
517a nonstandard tagged JSON value (that JSON decoders cannot decode).
518
519It also causes C<decode> to parse such tagged JSON values and deserialise
520them via a call to the C<THAW> method.
521
522If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will not consider
523this type of conversion, and tagged JSON values will cause a parse error
524in C<decode>, as if tags were not part of the grammar.
521 525
522=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)]) 526=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)])
523 527
524When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each 528When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each
525time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to the 529time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to the
664 668
665See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 669See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
666 670
667=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 671=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
668 672
669Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 673Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
670to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 674representation. Croaks on error.
671converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
672become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
673Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
674nor C<false> values will be generated.
675 675
676=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 676=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
677 677
678The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it, 678The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
679returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 679returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
680
681JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
682Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
683C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
684 680
685=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 681=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
686 682
687This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception 683This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception
688when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 684when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
689silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed 685silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed
690so far. 686so far.
691 687
692This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol 688This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol
693(which is not the brightest thing to do in the first place) and you need
694to know where the JSON text ends. 689and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
695 690
696 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 691 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
697 => ([], 3) 692 => ([], 3)
698 693
699=back 694=back
711calls). 706calls).
712 707
713JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it 708JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
714has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but 709has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
715truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as 710truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
716early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect parenthese 711early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
717mismatches. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as 712parentheses. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
718soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need 713soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
719to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop 714to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
720parsing in the presence if syntax errors. 715parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
721 716
722The following methods implement this incremental parser. 717The following methods implement this incremental parser.
738 733
739If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract 734If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
740exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this 735exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
741object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error, 736object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
742this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use 737this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
743C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of 738C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
744using the method. 739using the method.
745 740
746And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects 741And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
747from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list 742from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
748otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON 743otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
749objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 744objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
750an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context 745an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
751case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be 746case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
752lost. 747lost.
753 748
749Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
750them.
751
752 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
753
754=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text 754=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
755 755
756This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that 756This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
757is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to 757is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
758C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under 758C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
772C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser 772C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser
773state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the 773state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
774parse state. 774parse state.
775 775
776The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error 776The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
777occured is removed. 777occurred is removed.
778 778
779=item $json->incr_reset 779=item $json->incr_reset
780 780
781This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call, 781This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
782it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything. 782it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
788=back 788=back
789 789
790=head2 LIMITATIONS 790=head2 LIMITATIONS
791 791
792All options that affect decoding are supported, except 792All options that affect decoding are supported, except
793C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to 793C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to work
794work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate 794sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can
795them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true 795concatenate them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does
796for JSON numbers, however. 796not hold true for JSON numbers, however.
797 797
798For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the 798For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the
799start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation 799start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation
800of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS 800of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS
801takes the conservative route and disallows this case. 801takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
980If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 980If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
981it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 981it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
982a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 982a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
983precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in 983precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
984which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be 984which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
985re-encoded toa JSON string). 985re-encoded to a JSON string).
986 986
987Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 987Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
988represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 988represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
989precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but 989precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
990the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number). 990the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
991 991
992Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
993represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
994floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
995the least significant bit.
996
992=item true, false 997=item true, false
993 998
994These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 999These JSON atoms become C<Types::Serialiser::true> and
995respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 1000C<Types::Serialiser::false>, respectively. They are overloaded to act
996C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 1001almost exactly like the numbers C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether
997the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 1002a scalar is a JSON boolean by using the C<Types::Serialiser::is_bool>
1003function (after C<use Types::Serialier>, of course).
998 1004
999=item null 1005=item null
1000 1006
1001A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 1007A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
1008
1009=item shell-style comments (C<< # I<text> >>)
1010
1011As a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax that is enabled by the
1012C<relaxed> setting, shell-style comments are allowed. They can start
1013anywhere outside strings and go till the end of the line.
1014
1015=item tagged values (C<< (I<tag>)I<value> >>).
1016
1017Another nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax, enabled with the
1018C<allow_tags> setting, are tagged values. In this implementation, the
1019I<tag> must be a perl package/class name encoded as a JSON string, and the
1020I<value> must be a JSON array encoding optional constructor arguments.
1021
1022See "OBJECT SERIALISATION", below, for details.
1002 1023
1003=back 1024=back
1004 1025
1005 1026
1006=head2 PERL -> JSON 1027=head2 PERL -> JSON
1011 1032
1012=over 4 1033=over 4
1013 1034
1014=item hash references 1035=item hash references
1015 1036
1016Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1037Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
1017in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1038ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
1018pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1039in a pseudo-random order. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash keys
1019stays generally the same within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can 1040(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
1020optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1041serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
1021the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1042JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
1022settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1043e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text against another for equality.
1023and is only rarely useful, e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text
1024against another for equality.
1025 1044
1026=item array references 1045=item array references
1027 1046
1028Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1047Perl array references become JSON arrays.
1029 1048
1030=item other references 1049=item other references
1031 1050
1032Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1051Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
1033exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1052exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
1034C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1053C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON.
1035also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
1036 1054
1055Since C<JSON::XS> uses the boolean model from L<Types::Serialiser>, you
1056can also C<use Types::Serialiser> and then use C<Types::Serialiser::false>
1057and C<Types::Serialiser::true> to improve readability.
1058
1059 use Types::Serialiser;
1037 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1060 encode_json [\0, Types::Serialiser::true] # yields [false,true]
1038 1061
1039=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1062=item Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false
1040 1063
1041These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1064These special values from the L<Types::Serialiser> module become JSON true
1042respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1065and JSON false values, respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0>
1066directly if you want.
1043 1067
1044=item blessed objects 1068=item blessed objects
1045 1069
1046Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the 1070Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON, but C<JSON::XS>
1047C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on 1071allows various ways of handling objects. See "OBJECT SERIALISATION",
1048how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an 1072below, for details.
1049exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
1050your own serialiser method.
1051 1073
1052=item simple scalars 1074=item simple scalars
1053 1075
1054Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1076Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
1055difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1077difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
1083 1105
1084You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1106You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
1085if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed 1107if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1086:). 1108:).
1087 1109
1110Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1111binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1112can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1113extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1114infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1115error to pass those in.
1116
1088=back 1117=back
1118
1119=head2 OBJECT SERIALISATION
1120
1121As JSON cannot directly represent Perl objects, you have to choose between
1122a pure JSON representation (without the ability to deserialise the object
1123automatically again), and a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax,
1124tagged values.
1125
1126=head3 SERIALISATION
1127
1128What happens when C<JSON::XS> encounters a Perl object depends on the
1129C<allow_blessed>, C<convert_blessed> and C<allow_tags> settings, which are
1130used in this order:
1131
1132=over 4
1133
1134=item 1. C<allow_tags> is enabled and object has a C<FREEZE> method.
1135
1136In this case, C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> object
1137serialisation protocol to create a tagged JSON value, using a nonstandard
1138extension to the JSON syntax.
1139
1140This works by invoking the C<FREEZE> method on the object, with the first
1141argument being the object to serialise, and the second argument being the
1142constant string C<JSON> to distinguish it from other serialisers.
1143
1144The C<FREEZE> method can return any number of values (i.e. zero or
1145more). These values and the paclkage/classname of the object will then be
1146encoded as a tagged JSON value in the following format:
1147
1148 ("classname")[FREEZE return values...]
1149
1150For example, the hypothetical C<My::Object> C<FREEZE> method might use the
1151objects C<type> and C<id> members to encode the object:
1152
1153 sub My::Object::FREEZE {
1154 my ($self, $serialiser) = @_;
1155
1156 ($self->{type}, $self->{id})
1157 }
1158
1159=item 2. C<convert_blessed> is enabled and object has a C<TO_JSON> method.
1160
1161In this case, the C<TO_JSON> method of the object is invoked in scalar
1162context. It must return a single scalar that can be directly encoded into
1163JSON. This scalar replaces the object in the JSON text.
1164
1165For example, the following C<TO_JSON> method will convert all L<URI>
1166objects to JSON strings when serialised. The fatc that these values
1167originally were L<URI> objects is lost.
1168
1169 sub URI::TO_JSON {
1170 my ($uri) = @_;
1171 $uri->as_string
1172 }
1173
1174=item 3. C<allow_blessed> is enabled.
1175
1176The object will be serialised as a JSON null value.
1177
1178=item 4. none of the above
1179
1180If none of the settings are enabled or the respective methods are missing,
1181C<JSON::XS> throws an exception.
1182
1183=back
1184
1185=head3 DESERIALISATION
1186
1187For deserialisation there are only two cases to consider: either
1188nonstandard tagging was used, in which case C<allow_tags> decides,
1189or objects cannot be automatically be deserialised, in which
1190case you can use postprocessing or the C<filter_json_object> or
1191C<filter_json_single_key_object> callbacks to get some real objects our of
1192your JSON.
1193
1194This section only considers the tagged value case: I a tagged JSON object
1195is encountered during decoding and C<allow_tags> is disabled, a parse
1196error will result (as if tagged values were not part of the grammar).
1197
1198If C<allow_tags> is enabled, C<JSON::XS> will look up the C<THAW> method
1199of the package/classname used during serialisation (it will not attempt
1200to load the package as a Perl module). If there is no such method, the
1201decoding will fail with an error.
1202
1203Otherwise, the C<THAW> method is invoked with the classname as first
1204argument, the constant string C<JSON> as second argument, and all the
1205values from the JSON array (the values originally returned by the
1206C<FREEZE> method) as remaining arguments.
1207
1208The method must then return the object. While technically you can return
1209any Perl scalar, you might have to enable the C<enable_nonref> setting to
1210make that work in all cases, so better return an actual blessed reference.
1211
1212As an example, let's implement a C<THAW> function that regenerates the
1213C<My::Object> from the C<FREEZE> example earlier:
1214
1215 sub My::Object::THAW {
1216 my ($class, $serialiser, $type, $id) = @_;
1217
1218 $class->new (type => $type, id => $id)
1219 }
1089 1220
1090 1221
1091=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES 1222=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1092 1223
1093The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify 1224The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
1118=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1249=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1119 1250
1120When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate 1251When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1121and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1252and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1122values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such 1253values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1123characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except 1254characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1124"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters, 1255"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1125respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do 1256respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1126funny/weird/dumb stuff). 1257funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1127 1258
1128This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you 1259This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1236well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems. 1367well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1237 1368
1238Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve 1369Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1239some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes 1370some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1240them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the 1371them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1241C<__proto__> property name for it's own purposes. 1372C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1242 1373
1243If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON 1374If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1244output for these property strings, e.g.: 1375output for these property strings, e.g.:
1245 1376
1246 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g; 1377 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1247 1378
1248This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every 1379This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1249occurence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name. 1380occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1250 1381
1251If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know. 1382If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1252 1383
1253 1384
1254=head2 JSON and YAML 1385=head2 JSON and YAML
1266 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1397 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
1267 1398
1268This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1399This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
1269YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1400YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
1270lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible 1401lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1271unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are 1402unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
1272noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that 1403keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1273you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP 1404and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1274(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in 1405Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1275strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON 1406sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1276generators might). 1407other JSON generators might).
1277 1408
1278There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML 1409There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1279specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In 1410specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
1280general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice 1411general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
1281versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are 1412versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
1300that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and 1431that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1301educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the 1432educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1302real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who 1433real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1303point out that it isn't true. 1434point out that it isn't true.
1304 1435
1436Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1437though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1438for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1439of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1440corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1441
1305=back 1442=back
1306 1443
1307 1444
1308=head2 SPEED 1445=head2 SPEED
1309 1446
1316a very short single-line JSON string (also available at 1453a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1317L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>). 1454L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
1318 1455
1319 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", 1456 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
1320 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, 1457 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1321 true, false]} 1458 1, 0]}
1322 1459
1323It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1460It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
1324the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1461the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
1325with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1462with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
1326shrink). Higher is better: 1463shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1464uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
1327 1465
1328 module | encode | decode | 1466 module | encode | decode |
1329 -----------|------------|------------| 1467 --------------|------------|------------|
1330 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1468 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
1331 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1469 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
1332 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1470 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
1333 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1471 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
1334 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1472 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
1335 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1473 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
1336 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1474 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
1337 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1475 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
1338 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
1339 -----------+------------+------------+ 1476 --------------+------------+------------+
1340 1477
1341That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1478That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
1342about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1479about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
1343than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1480faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
1344favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1481to Storable for small amounts of data.
1345 1482
1346Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1483Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
1347search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>). 1484search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
1348 1485
1349 module | encode | decode | 1486 module | encode | decode |
1350 -----------|------------|------------| 1487 --------------|------------|------------|
1351 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1488 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
1352 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1489 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
1353 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1354 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1490 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
1355 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1491 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
1356 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1492 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
1357 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1493 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
1358 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1494 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
1359 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1495 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
1360 -----------+------------+------------+ 1496 --------------+------------+------------+
1361 1497
1362Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1498Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
1363decodes faster). 1499decodes a bit faster).
1364 1500
1365On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1501On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
1366(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1502(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
1367will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1503will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
1368to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1504to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
1404information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS 1540information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1405will not end up in front of untrusted eyes. 1541will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1406 1542
1407If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1543If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1408by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1544by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1409L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1545L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1410you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1546see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1411design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1547are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1412browser developers care only for features, not about getting security 1548it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1413right). 1549security right).
1550
1551
1552=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES
1553
1554C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean
1555constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be
1556comaptible to true and false values of iother modules that do the same,
1557such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>.
1414 1558
1415 1559
1416=head1 THREADS 1560=head1 THREADS
1417 1561
1418This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1562This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1421process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1565process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1422 1566
1423(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1567(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1424 1568
1425 1569
1570=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1571
1572Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1573system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1574
1575This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1576numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1577print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1578perl to stringify numbers).
1579
1580The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1581categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1582
1583If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1584actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1585afterwards.
1586
1587
1426=head1 BUGS 1588=head1 BUGS
1427 1589
1428While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1590While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
1429not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you 1591not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
1430keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though. 1592keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
1432Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1594Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1433service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1595service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1434 1596
1435=cut 1597=cut
1436 1598
1437our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1599BEGIN {
1438our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1600 *true = \$Types::Serialiser::true;
1601 *true = \&Types::Serialiser::true;
1602 *false = \$Types::Serialiser::false;
1603 *false = \&Types::Serialiser::false;
1604 *is_bool = \&Types::Serialiser::is_bool;
1439 1605
1440sub true() { $true } 1606 *JSON::XS::Boolean:: = *Types::Serialiser::Boolean::;
1441sub false() { $false }
1442
1443sub is_bool($) {
1444 UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::XS::Boolean"
1445# or UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::Literal"
1446} 1607}
1447 1608
1448XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION; 1609XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION;
1449
1450package JSON::XS::Boolean;
1451
1452use overload
1453 "0+" => sub { ${$_[0]} },
1454 "++" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} + 1 },
1455 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1456 fallback => 1;
1457
14581;
1459 1610
1460=head1 SEE ALSO 1611=head1 SEE ALSO
1461 1612
1462The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments. 1613The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1463 1614
1466 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1617 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1467 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1618 http://home.schmorp.de/
1468 1619
1469=cut 1620=cut
1470 1621
16221
1623

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