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Revision 1.171 by root, Thu Nov 15 22:49:06 2018 UTC

35 35
36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
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
41JSON::XS are installed, then JSON will fall back on JSON::XS (this can be
42overridden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheriting constructor
43and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the
44compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS
45gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need and doesn't
46require a C compiler when that is a problem.
47
48As this is the n-th-something JSON module on CPAN, what was the reason
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
51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
52reports for other reasons.
53
54See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and 40See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and
55vice versa. 41vice versa.
56 42
57=head2 FEATURES 43=head2 FEATURES
58 44
59=over 4 45=over
60 46
61=item * correct Unicode handling 47=item * correct Unicode handling
62 48
63This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does 49This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
64so, and even documents what "correct" means. 50so, and even documents what "correct" means.
65 51
66=item * round-trip integrity 52=item * round-trip integrity
67 53
68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported 54When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
69by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 55by 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 56level. (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 57it looks like a number). There I<are> minor exceptions to this, read the
72section below to learn about those. 58MAPPING section below to learn about those.
73 59
74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 60=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
75 61
76There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 62There 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 63and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too. 69this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
84 70
85=item * simple to use 71=item * simple to use
86 72
87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object 73This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
88oriented interface interface. 74oriented interface.
89 75
90=item * reasonably versatile output formats 76=item * reasonably versatile output formats
91 77
92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format 78You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format 79possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
99 85
100=cut 86=cut
101 87
102package JSON::XS; 88package JSON::XS;
103 89
104no warnings; 90use common::sense;
105use strict;
106 91
107our $VERSION = '2.232'; 92our $VERSION = '4.0';
108our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 93our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
109 94
110our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json); 95our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json);
111
112sub to_json($) {
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 96
122use Exporter; 97use Exporter;
123use XSLoader; 98use XSLoader;
124 99
100use Types::Serialiser ();
101
125=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 102=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
126 103
127The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 104The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
128exported by default: 105exported by default:
129 106
130=over 4 107=over
131 108
132=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar 109=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
133 110
134Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string 111Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
135(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error. 112(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
140 117
141Except being faster. 118Except being faster.
142 119
143=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text 120=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
144 121
145The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries 122The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects a UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
146to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting 123to parse that as a UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
147reference. Croaks on error. 124reference. Croaks on error.
148 125
149This function call is functionally identical to: 126This function call is functionally identical to:
150 127
151 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 128 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
152 129
153Except being faster. 130Except 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.
163 131
164=back 132=back
165 133
166 134
167=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL 135=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
168 136
169Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on 137Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on
170how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs. 138how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs.
171 139
172=over 4 140=over
173 141
174=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255. 142=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
175 143
176This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a 144This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
177Perl string - very natural. 145Perl string - very natural.
215=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 183=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
216 184
217The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 185The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
218decoding style, within the limits of supported formats. 186decoding style, within the limits of supported formats.
219 187
220=over 4 188=over
221 189
222=item $json = new JSON::XS 190=item $json = new JSON::XS
223 191
224Creates a new JSON::XS object that can be used to de/encode JSON 192Creates a new JSON::XS object that can be used to de/encode JSON
225strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>. 193strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>
194(with the exception of C<allow_nonref>, which defaults to I<enabled> since
195version C<4.0>).
226 196
227The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can 197The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can
228be chained: 198be chained:
229 199
230 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 200 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
288 258
289=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8 259=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
290 260
291If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 261If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
292the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 262the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
293C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 263C<decode> method expects to be handed a UTF-8-encoded string. Please
294note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 264note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
295range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 265range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
296versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 266versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
297and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 267and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
298 268
383 353
384=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed 354=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
385 355
386If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 356If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
387extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 357extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
388affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid 358affected in any way. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
389JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to 359JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
390parse application-specific files written by humans (configuration files, 360parse application-specific files written by humans (configuration files,
391resource files etc.) 361resource files etc.)
392 362
393If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<decode> will only accept 363If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<decode> will only accept
394valid JSON texts. 364valid JSON texts.
395 365
396Currently accepted extensions are: 366Currently accepted extensions are:
397 367
398=over 4 368=over
399 369
400=item * list items can have an end-comma 370=item * list items can have an end-comma
401 371
402JSON I<separates> array elements and key-value pairs with commas. This 372JSON I<separates> array elements and key-value pairs with commas. This
403can be annoying if you write JSON texts manually and want to be able to 373can be annoying if you write JSON texts manually and want to be able to
422 [ 392 [
423 1, # this comment not allowed in JSON 393 1, # this comment not allowed in JSON
424 # neither this one... 394 # neither this one...
425 ] 395 ]
426 396
397=item * literal ASCII TAB characters in strings
398
399Literal ASCII TAB characters are now allowed in strings (and treated as
400C<\t>).
401
402 [
403 "Hello\tWorld",
404 "Hello<TAB>World", # literal <TAB> would not normally be allowed
405 ]
406
427=back 407=back
428 408
429=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 409=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
430 410
431=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical 411=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
433If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 413If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
434by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 414by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
435 415
436If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 416If 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 417pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
438of the same script). 418of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
419onwards).
439 420
440This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 421This 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, 422the 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, 423the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
443as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 424as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
444 425
445This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 426This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
446 427
428This setting has currently no effect on tied hashes.
429
447=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 430=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
448 431
449=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 432=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
433
434Unlike other boolean options, this opotion is enabled by default beginning
435with version C<4.0>. See L<SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS> for the gory details.
450 436
451If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 437If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
452non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 438non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
453which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 439which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
454values instead of croaking. 440values instead of croaking.
456If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't 442If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't
457passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON texts must either be an object 443passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON texts must either be an object
458or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a 444or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a
459JSON object or array. 445JSON object or array.
460 446
461Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value with enabled C<allow_nonref>, 447Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value without enabled C<allow_nonref>,
462resulting in an invalid JSON text: 448resulting in an error:
463 449
464 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 450 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref (0)->encode ("Hello, World!")
465 => "Hello, World!" 451 => hash- or arrayref expected...
466 452
467=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable]) 453=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
468 454
469=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown 455=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
470 456
482 468
483=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 469=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
484 470
485=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed 471=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
486 472
473See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION> for details.
474
487If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 475If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
488barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 476barf when it encounters a blessed reference that it cannot convert
489B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 477otherwise. Instead, a JSON C<null> value is encoded instead of the object.
490disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
491object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
492encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
493 478
494If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 479If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
495exception when it encounters a blessed object. 480exception when it encounters a blessed object that it cannot convert
481otherwise.
482
483This setting has no effect on C<decode>.
496 484
497=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 485=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
498 486
499=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed 487=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
488
489See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION> for details.
500 490
501If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 491If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
502blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 492blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
503on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 493on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context and
504and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 494the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object.
505C<TO_JSON> method is found, the value of C<allow_blessed> will decide what
506to do.
507 495
508The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 496The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
509returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 497returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
510way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 498way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
511(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 499(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
512methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 500methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
513usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json> 501usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
514function or method. 502function or method.
515 503
516This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 504If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will not consider
517future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 505this type of conversion.
518enabled by this setting.
519 506
520If C<$enable> is false, then the C<allow_blessed> setting will decide what 507This setting has no effect on C<decode>.
521to do when a blessed object is found. 508
509=item $json = $json->allow_tags ([$enable])
510
511=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_tags
512
513See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION> for details.
514
515If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
516blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<FREEZE> method on
517the object's class. If found, it will be used to serialise the object into
518a nonstandard tagged JSON value (that JSON decoders cannot decode).
519
520It also causes C<decode> to parse such tagged JSON values and deserialise
521them via a call to the C<THAW> method.
522
523If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will not consider
524this type of conversion, and tagged JSON values will cause a parse error
525in C<decode>, as if tags were not part of the grammar.
526
527=item $json->boolean_values ([$false, $true])
528
529=item ($false, $true) = $json->get_boolean_values
530
531By default, JSON booleans will be decoded as overloaded
532C<$Types::Serialiser::false> and C<$Types::Serialiser::true> objects.
533
534With this method you can specify your own boolean values for decoding -
535on decode, JSON C<false> will be decoded as a copy of C<$false>, and JSON
536C<true> will be decoded as C<$true> ("copy" here is the same thing as
537assigning a value to another variable, i.e. C<$copy = $false>).
538
539Calling this method without any arguments will reset the booleans
540to their default values.
541
542C<get_boolean_values> will return both C<$false> and C<$true> values, or
543the empty list when they are set to the default.
522 544
523=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)]) 545=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)])
524 546
525When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each 547When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each
526time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to the 548time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to
527newly-created hash. If the code references returns a single scalar (which 549the newly-created hash. If the code reference returns a single scalar
528need not be a reference), this value (i.e. a copy of that scalar to avoid 550(which need not be a reference), this value (or rather a copy of it) is
529aliasing) is inserted into the deserialised data structure. If it returns 551inserted into the deserialised data structure. If it returns an empty
530an empty list (NOTE: I<not> C<undef>, which is a valid scalar), the 552list (NOTE: I<not> C<undef>, which is a valid scalar), the original
531original deserialised hash will be inserted. This setting can slow down 553deserialised hash will be inserted. This setting can slow down decoding
532decoding considerably. 554considerably.
533 555
534When C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, any existing callback will 556When C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, any existing callback will
535be removed and C<decode> will not change the deserialised hash in any 557be removed and C<decode> will not change the deserialised hash in any
536way. 558way.
537 559
665 687
666See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 688See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
667 689
668=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 690=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
669 691
670Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 692Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
671to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 693representation. 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.
676 694
677=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 695=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
678 696
679The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it, 697The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
680returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 698returning 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>.
685 699
686=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 700=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
687 701
688This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception 702This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception
689when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 703when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
690silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed 704silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed
691so far. 705so far.
692 706
693This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol 707This 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. 708and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
696 709
697 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 710 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
698 => ([], 3) 711 => ([1], 3)
699 712
700=back 713=back
701 714
702 715
703=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING 716=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
712calls). 725calls).
713 726
714JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it 727JSON::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 728has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
716truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as 729truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
717early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect parenthese 730early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
718mismatches. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as 731parentheses. 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 732soon 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 733to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
721parsing in the presence if syntax errors. 734parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
722 735
723The following methods implement this incremental parser. 736The following methods implement this incremental parser.
724 737
725=over 4 738=over
726 739
727=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string]) 740=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
728 741
729This is the central parsing function. It can both append new text and 742This is the central parsing function. It can both append new text and
730extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these 743extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these
739 752
740If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract 753If 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 754exactly 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, 755object, 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 756this 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 757C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
745using the method. 758using the method.
746 759
747And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects 760And 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 761from 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 762otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators (other than
750objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 763whitespace) between the JSON objects or arrays, instead they must be
751an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context 764concatenated back-to-back. If an error occurs, an exception will be
752case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be 765raised as in the scalar context case. Note that in this case, any
753lost. 766previously-parsed JSON texts will be lost.
767
768Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
769them.
770
771 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
754 772
755=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text 773=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
756 774
757This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that 775This 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 776is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
760all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it. 778all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it.
761although in simple tests it might actually work, it I<will> fail under 779although in simple tests it might actually work, it I<will> fail under
762real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this 780real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this
763method before having parsed anything. 781method before having parsed anything.
764 782
783That means you can only use this function to look at or manipulate text
784before or after complete JSON objects, not while the parser is in the
785middle of parsing a JSON object.
786
765This function is useful in two cases: a) finding the trailing text after a 787This function is useful in two cases: a) finding the trailing text after a
766JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text 788JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
767(such as commas). 789(such as commas).
768 790
769=item $json->incr_skip 791=item $json->incr_skip
773C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser 795C<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 796state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
775parse state. 797parse state.
776 798
777The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error 799The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
778occured is removed. 800occurred is removed.
779 801
780=item $json->incr_reset 802=item $json->incr_reset
781 803
782This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call, 804This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
783it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything. 805it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
788 810
789=back 811=back
790 812
791=head2 LIMITATIONS 813=head2 LIMITATIONS
792 814
793All options that affect decoding are supported, except 815The incremental parser is a non-exact parser: it works by gathering as
794C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to 816much text as possible that I<could> be a valid JSON text, followed by
795work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate 817trying to decode it.
796them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true
797for JSON numbers, however.
798 818
799For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the 819That means it sometimes needs to read more data than strictly necessary to
800start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation 820diagnose an invalid JSON text. For example, after parsing the following
801of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS 821fragment, the parser I<could> stop with an error, as this fragment
802takes the conservative route and disallows this case. 822I<cannot> be the beginning of a valid JSON text:
823
824 [,
825
826In reality, hopwever, the parser might continue to read data until a
827length limit is exceeded or it finds a closing bracket.
803 828
804=head2 EXAMPLES 829=head2 EXAMPLES
805 830
806Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that 831Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that
807works similarly to C<decode_prefix>: We want to decode the JSON object at 832works similarly to C<decode_prefix>: We want to decode the JSON object at
951refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 976refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
952 977
953 978
954=head2 JSON -> PERL 979=head2 JSON -> PERL
955 980
956=over 4 981=over
957 982
958=item object 983=item object
959 984
960A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 985A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
961keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself). 986keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
981If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 1006If 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 1007it 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 1008a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
984precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in 1009precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
985which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be 1010which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
986re-encoded toa JSON string). 1011re-encoded to a JSON string).
987 1012
988Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 1013Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
989represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 1014represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
990precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but 1015precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
991the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number). 1016the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
992 1017
1018Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
1019represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
1020floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
1021the least significant bit.
1022
993=item true, false 1023=item true, false
994 1024
995These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 1025These JSON atoms become C<Types::Serialiser::true> and
996respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 1026C<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 1027almost exactly like the numbers C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether
998the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 1028a scalar is a JSON boolean by using the C<Types::Serialiser::is_bool>
1029function (after C<use Types::Serialier>, of course).
999 1030
1000=item null 1031=item null
1001 1032
1002A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 1033A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
1034
1035=item shell-style comments (C<< # I<text> >>)
1036
1037As a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax that is enabled by the
1038C<relaxed> setting, shell-style comments are allowed. They can start
1039anywhere outside strings and go till the end of the line.
1040
1041=item tagged values (C<< (I<tag>)I<value> >>).
1042
1043Another nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax, enabled with the
1044C<allow_tags> setting, are tagged values. In this implementation, the
1045I<tag> must be a perl package/class name encoded as a JSON string, and the
1046I<value> must be a JSON array encoding optional constructor arguments.
1047
1048See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION>, below, for details.
1003 1049
1004=back 1050=back
1005 1051
1006 1052
1007=head2 PERL -> JSON 1053=head2 PERL -> JSON
1008 1054
1009The mapping from Perl to JSON is slightly more difficult, as Perl is a 1055The mapping from Perl to JSON is slightly more difficult, as Perl is a
1010truly typeless language, so we can only guess which JSON type is meant by 1056truly typeless language, so we can only guess which JSON type is meant by
1011a Perl value. 1057a Perl value.
1012 1058
1013=over 4 1059=over
1014 1060
1015=item hash references 1061=item hash references
1016 1062
1017Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1063Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
1018in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1064ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
1019pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1065in 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 1066(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
1021optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1067serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
1022the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1068JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
1023settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1069e.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 1070
1027=item array references 1071=item array references
1028 1072
1029Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1073Perl array references become JSON arrays.
1030 1074
1031=item other references 1075=item other references
1032 1076
1033Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1077Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
1034exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1078exception 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 1079C<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 1080
1081Since C<JSON::XS> uses the boolean model from L<Types::Serialiser>, you
1082can also C<use Types::Serialiser> and then use C<Types::Serialiser::false>
1083and C<Types::Serialiser::true> to improve readability.
1084
1085 use Types::Serialiser;
1038 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1086 encode_json [\0, Types::Serialiser::true] # yields [false,true]
1039 1087
1040=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1088=item Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false
1041 1089
1042These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1090These 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. 1091and JSON false values, respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0>
1092directly if you want.
1044 1093
1045=item blessed objects 1094=item blessed objects
1046 1095
1047Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the 1096Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON, but C<JSON::XS>
1048C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on 1097allows various ways of handling objects. See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION>,
1049how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an 1098below, for details.
1050exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
1051your own serialiser method.
1052 1099
1053=item simple scalars 1100=item simple scalars
1054 1101
1055Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1102Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
1056difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1103difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
1084 1131
1085You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1132You 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 1133if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1087:). 1134:).
1088 1135
1136Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1137binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1138can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1139extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1140infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1141error to pass those in.
1142
1089=back 1143=back
1144
1145=head2 OBJECT SERIALISATION
1146
1147As JSON cannot directly represent Perl objects, you have to choose between
1148a pure JSON representation (without the ability to deserialise the object
1149automatically again), and a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax,
1150tagged values.
1151
1152=head3 SERIALISATION
1153
1154What happens when C<JSON::XS> encounters a Perl object depends on the
1155C<allow_blessed>, C<convert_blessed> and C<allow_tags> settings, which are
1156used in this order:
1157
1158=over
1159
1160=item 1. C<allow_tags> is enabled and the object has a C<FREEZE> method.
1161
1162In this case, C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> object
1163serialisation protocol to create a tagged JSON value, using a nonstandard
1164extension to the JSON syntax.
1165
1166This works by invoking the C<FREEZE> method on the object, with the first
1167argument being the object to serialise, and the second argument being the
1168constant string C<JSON> to distinguish it from other serialisers.
1169
1170The C<FREEZE> method can return any number of values (i.e. zero or
1171more). These values and the paclkage/classname of the object will then be
1172encoded as a tagged JSON value in the following format:
1173
1174 ("classname")[FREEZE return values...]
1175
1176e.g.:
1177
1178 ("URI")["http://www.google.com/"]
1179 ("MyDate")[2013,10,29]
1180 ("ImageData::JPEG")["Z3...VlCg=="]
1181
1182For example, the hypothetical C<My::Object> C<FREEZE> method might use the
1183objects C<type> and C<id> members to encode the object:
1184
1185 sub My::Object::FREEZE {
1186 my ($self, $serialiser) = @_;
1187
1188 ($self->{type}, $self->{id})
1189 }
1190
1191=item 2. C<convert_blessed> is enabled and the object has a C<TO_JSON> method.
1192
1193In this case, the C<TO_JSON> method of the object is invoked in scalar
1194context. It must return a single scalar that can be directly encoded into
1195JSON. This scalar replaces the object in the JSON text.
1196
1197For example, the following C<TO_JSON> method will convert all L<URI>
1198objects to JSON strings when serialised. The fatc that these values
1199originally were L<URI> objects is lost.
1200
1201 sub URI::TO_JSON {
1202 my ($uri) = @_;
1203 $uri->as_string
1204 }
1205
1206=item 3. C<allow_blessed> is enabled.
1207
1208The object will be serialised as a JSON null value.
1209
1210=item 4. none of the above
1211
1212If none of the settings are enabled or the respective methods are missing,
1213C<JSON::XS> throws an exception.
1214
1215=back
1216
1217=head3 DESERIALISATION
1218
1219For deserialisation there are only two cases to consider: either
1220nonstandard tagging was used, in which case C<allow_tags> decides,
1221or objects cannot be automatically be deserialised, in which
1222case you can use postprocessing or the C<filter_json_object> or
1223C<filter_json_single_key_object> callbacks to get some real objects our of
1224your JSON.
1225
1226This section only considers the tagged value case: I a tagged JSON object
1227is encountered during decoding and C<allow_tags> is disabled, a parse
1228error will result (as if tagged values were not part of the grammar).
1229
1230If C<allow_tags> is enabled, C<JSON::XS> will look up the C<THAW> method
1231of the package/classname used during serialisation (it will not attempt
1232to load the package as a Perl module). If there is no such method, the
1233decoding will fail with an error.
1234
1235Otherwise, the C<THAW> method is invoked with the classname as first
1236argument, the constant string C<JSON> as second argument, and all the
1237values from the JSON array (the values originally returned by the
1238C<FREEZE> method) as remaining arguments.
1239
1240The method must then return the object. While technically you can return
1241any Perl scalar, you might have to enable the C<enable_nonref> setting to
1242make that work in all cases, so better return an actual blessed reference.
1243
1244As an example, let's implement a C<THAW> function that regenerates the
1245C<My::Object> from the C<FREEZE> example earlier:
1246
1247 sub My::Object::THAW {
1248 my ($class, $serialiser, $type, $id) = @_;
1249
1250 $class->new (type => $type, id => $id)
1251 }
1090 1252
1091 1253
1092=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES 1254=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1093 1255
1094The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify 1256The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
1112takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into 1274takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
1113octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding, 1275octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
1114and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at 1276and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
1115the same time, which can be confusing. 1277the same time, which can be confusing.
1116 1278
1117=over 4 1279=over
1118 1280
1119=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1281=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1120 1282
1121When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate 1283When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1122and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1284and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1123values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such 1285values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1124characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except 1286characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1125"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters, 1287"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1126respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do 1288respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1127funny/weird/dumb stuff). 1289funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1128 1290
1129This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you 1291This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1139expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character" 1301expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
1140of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow 1302of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
1141that. 1303that.
1142 1304
1143The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you 1305The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
1144will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded 1306will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get a UTF-8 encoded
1145octet/binary string in Perl. 1307octet/binary string in Perl.
1146 1308
1147=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled 1309=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
1148 1310
1149With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters 1311With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
1237well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems. 1399well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1238 1400
1239Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve 1401Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1240some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes 1402some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1241them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the 1403them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1242C<__proto__> property name for it's own purposes. 1404C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1243 1405
1244If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON 1406If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1245output for these property strings, e.g.: 1407output for these property strings, e.g.:
1246 1408
1247 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g; 1409 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1248 1410
1249This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every 1411This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1250occurence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name. 1412occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1251 1413
1252If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know. 1414If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1253 1415
1254 1416
1255=head2 JSON and YAML 1417=head2 JSON and YAML
1267 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1429 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
1268 1430
1269This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1431This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
1270YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1432YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
1271lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible 1433lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1272unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are 1434unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
1273noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that 1435keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1274you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP 1436and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1275(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in 1437Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1276strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON 1438sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1277generators might). 1439other JSON generators might).
1278 1440
1279There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML 1441There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1280specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In 1442specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
1281general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice 1443general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
1282versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are 1444versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
1283high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you 1445high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1284least expect it. 1446least expect it.
1285 1447
1286=over 4 1448=over
1287 1449
1288=item (*) 1450=item (*)
1289 1451
1290I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the 1452I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1291authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him 1453authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1301that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and 1463that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1302educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the 1464educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1303real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who 1465real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1304point out that it isn't true. 1466point out that it isn't true.
1305 1467
1468Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1469though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1470for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1471of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1472corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1473
1306=back 1474=back
1307 1475
1308 1476
1309=head2 SPEED 1477=head2 SPEED
1310 1478
1317a very short single-line JSON string (also available at 1485a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1318L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>). 1486L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
1319 1487
1320 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", 1488 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
1321 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, 1489 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1322 true, false]} 1490 1, 0]}
1323 1491
1324It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1492It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
1325the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1493the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
1326with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1494with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
1327shrink). Higher is better: 1495shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1496uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
1328 1497
1329 module | encode | decode | 1498 module | encode | decode |
1330 -----------|------------|------------| 1499 --------------|------------|------------|
1331 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1500 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
1332 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1501 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
1333 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1502 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
1334 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1503 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
1335 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1504 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
1336 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1505 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
1337 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1506 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
1338 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1507 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
1339 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
1340 -----------+------------+------------+ 1508 --------------+------------+------------+
1341 1509
1342That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1510That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
1343about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1511about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
1344than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1512faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
1345favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1513to Storable for small amounts of data.
1346 1514
1347Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1515Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
1348search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>). 1516search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
1349 1517
1350 module | encode | decode | 1518 module | encode | decode |
1351 -----------|------------|------------| 1519 --------------|------------|------------|
1352 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1520 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
1353 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1521 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
1354 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1355 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1522 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
1356 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1523 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
1357 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1524 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
1358 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1525 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
1359 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1526 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
1360 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1527 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
1361 -----------+------------+------------+ 1528 --------------+------------+------------+
1362 1529
1363Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1530Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
1364decodes faster). 1531decodes a bit faster).
1365 1532
1366On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1533On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
1367(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1534(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
1368will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1535will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
1369to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1536to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
1405information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS 1572information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1406will not end up in front of untrusted eyes. 1573will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
1407 1574
1408If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1575If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1409by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1576by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1410L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1577L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1411you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1578see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1412design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1579are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1413browser developers care only for features, not about getting security 1580it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1414right). 1581security right).
1415 1582
1416 1583
1584=head2 "OLD" VS. "NEW" JSON (RFC4627 VS. RFC7159)
1585
1586JSON originally required JSON texts to represent an array or object -
1587scalar values were explicitly not allowed. This has changed, and versions
1588of JSON::XS beginning with C<4.0> reflect this by allowing scalar values
1589by default.
1590
1591One reason why one might not want this is that this removes a fundamental
1592property of JSON texts, namely that they are self-delimited and
1593self-contained, or in other words, you could take any number of "old"
1594JSON texts and paste them together, and the result would be unambiguously
1595parseable:
1596
1597 [1,3]{"k":5}[][null] # four JSON texts, without doubt
1598
1599By allowing scalars, this property is lost: in the following example, is
1600this one JSON text (the number 12) or two JSON texts (the numbers 1 and
16012):
1602
1603 12 # could be 12, or 1 and 2
1604
1605Another lost property of "old" JSON is that no lookahead is required to
1606know the end of a JSON text, i.e. the JSON text definitely ended at the
1607last C<]> or C<}> character, there was no need to read extra characters.
1608
1609For example, a viable network protocol with "old" JSON was to simply
1610exchange JSON texts without delimiter. For "new" JSON, you have to use a
1611suitable delimiter (such as a newline) after every JSON text or ensure you
1612never encode/decode scalar values.
1613
1614Most protocols do work by only transferring arrays or objects, and the
1615easiest way to avoid problems with the "new" JSON definition is to
1616explicitly disallow scalar values in your encoder and decoder:
1617
1618 $json_coder = JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref (0)
1619
1620This is a somewhat unhappy situation, and the blame can fully be put on
1621JSON's inmventor, Douglas Crockford, who unilaterally changed the format
1622in 2006 without consulting the IETF, forcing the IETF to either fork the
1623format or go with it (as I was told, the IETF wasn't amused).
1624
1625
1626=head1 RELATIONSHIP WITH I-JSON
1627
1628JSON is a somewhat sloppily-defined format - it carries around obvious
1629Javascript baggage, such as not really defining number range, probably
1630because Javascript only has one type of numbers: IEEE 64 bit floats
1631("binary64").
1632
1633For this reaosn, RFC7493 defines "Internet JSON", which is a restricted
1634subset of JSON that is supposedly more interoperable on the internet.
1635
1636While C<JSON::XS> does not offer specific support for I-JSON, it of course
1637accepts valid I-JSON and by default implements some of the limitations
1638of I-JSON, such as parsing numbers as perl numbers, which are usually a
1639superset of binary64 numbers.
1640
1641To generate I-JSON, follow these rules:
1642
1643=over
1644
1645=item * always generate UTF-8
1646
1647I-JSON must be encoded in UTF-8, the default for C<encode_json>.
1648
1649=item * numbers should be within IEEE 754 binary64 range
1650
1651Basically all existing perl installations use binary64 to represent
1652floating point numbers, so all you need to do is to avoid large integers.
1653
1654=item * objects must not have duplicate keys
1655
1656This is trivially done, as C<JSON::XS> does not allow duplicate keys.
1657
1658=item * do not generate scalar JSON texts, use C<< ->allow_nonref (0) >>
1659
1660I-JSON strongly requests you to only encode arrays and objects into JSON.
1661
1662=item * times should be strings in ISO 8601 format
1663
1664There are a myriad of modules on CPAN dealing with ISO 8601 - search for
1665C<ISO8601> on CPAN and use one.
1666
1667=item * encode binary data as base64
1668
1669While it's tempting to just dump binary data as a string (and let
1670C<JSON::XS> do the escaping), for I-JSON, it's I<recommended> to encode
1671binary data as base64.
1672
1673=back
1674
1675There are some other considerations - read RFC7493 for the details if
1676interested.
1677
1678
1679=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES
1680
1681C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean
1682constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be
1683comaptible to true and false values of other modules that do the same,
1684such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>.
1685
1686
1687=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER JSON DECODERS
1688
1689As long as you only serialise data that can be directly expressed in JSON,
1690C<JSON::XS> is incapable of generating invalid JSON output (modulo bugs,
1691but C<JSON::XS> has found more bugs in the official JSON testsuite (1)
1692than the official JSON testsuite has found in C<JSON::XS> (0)).
1693
1694When you have trouble decoding JSON generated by this module using other
1695decoders, then it is very likely that you have an encoding mismatch or the
1696other decoder is broken.
1697
1698When decoding, C<JSON::XS> is strict by default and will likely catch all
1699errors. There are currently two settings that change this: C<relaxed>
1700makes C<JSON::XS> accept (but not generate) some non-standard extensions,
1701and C<allow_tags> will allow you to encode and decode Perl objects, at the
1702cost of not outputting valid JSON anymore.
1703
1704=head2 TAGGED VALUE SYNTAX AND STANDARD JSON EN/DECODERS
1705
1706When you use C<allow_tags> to use the extended (and also nonstandard and
1707invalid) JSON syntax for serialised objects, and you still want to decode
1708the generated When you want to serialise objects, you can run a regex
1709to replace the tagged syntax by standard JSON arrays (it only works for
1710"normal" package names without comma, newlines or single colons). First,
1711the readable Perl version:
1712
1713 # if your FREEZE methods return no values, you need this replace first:
1714 $json =~ s/\( \s* (" (?: [^\\":,]+|\\.|::)* ") \s* \) \s* \[\s*\]/[$1]/gx;
1715
1716 # this works for non-empty constructor arg lists:
1717 $json =~ s/\( \s* (" (?: [^\\":,]+|\\.|::)* ") \s* \) \s* \[/[$1,/gx;
1718
1719And here is a less readable version that is easy to adapt to other
1720languages:
1721
1722 $json =~ s/\(\s*("([^\\":,]+|\\.|::)*")\s*\)\s*\[/[$1,/g;
1723
1724Here is an ECMAScript version (same regex):
1725
1726 json = json.replace (/\(\s*("([^\\":,]+|\\.|::)*")\s*\)\s*\[/g, "[$1,");
1727
1728Since this syntax converts to standard JSON arrays, it might be hard to
1729distinguish serialised objects from normal arrays. You can prepend a
1730"magic number" as first array element to reduce chances of a collision:
1731
1732 $json =~ s/\(\s*("([^\\":,]+|\\.|::)*")\s*\)\s*\[/["XU1peReLzT4ggEllLanBYq4G9VzliwKF",$1,/g;
1733
1734And after decoding the JSON text, you could walk the data
1735structure looking for arrays with a first element of
1736C<XU1peReLzT4ggEllLanBYq4G9VzliwKF>.
1737
1738The same approach can be used to create the tagged format with another
1739encoder. First, you create an array with the magic string as first member,
1740the classname as second, and constructor arguments last, encode it as part
1741of your JSON structure, and then:
1742
1743 $json =~ s/\[\s*"XU1peReLzT4ggEllLanBYq4G9VzliwKF"\s*,\s*("([^\\":,]+|\\.|::)*")\s*,/($1)[/g;
1744
1745Again, this has some limitations - the magic string must not be encoded
1746with character escapes, and the constructor arguments must be non-empty.
1747
1748
1417=head1 THREADS 1749=head1 (I-)THREADS
1418 1750
1419This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1751This module is I<not> guaranteed to be ithread (or MULTIPLICITY-) safe
1420plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the 1752and there are no plans to change this. Note that perl's builtin so-called
1421horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated 1753threads/ithreads are officially deprecated and should not be used.
1422process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1423 1754
1424(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1755
1756=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1757
1758Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1759system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1760
1761This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1762numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1763print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1764perl to stringify numbers).
1765
1766The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1767categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1768
1769If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1770actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1771afterwards.
1772
1773
1774=head1 SOME HISTORY
1775
1776At the time this module was created there already were a number of JSON
1777modules available on CPAN, so what was the reason to write yet another
1778JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON modules, none of them
1779correctly handled all corner cases, and in most cases their maintainers
1780are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug reports for other
1781reasons.
1782
1783Beginning with version 2.0 of the JSON module, when both JSON and
1784JSON::XS are installed, then JSON will fall back on JSON::XS (this can be
1785overridden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheriting constructor
1786and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the
1787compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS
1788gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need it and
1789doesn't require a C compiler when that is a problem.
1790
1791Somewhere around version 3, this module was forked into
1792C<Cpanel::JSON::XS>, because its maintainer had serious trouble
1793understanding JSON and insisted on a fork with many bugs "fixed" that
1794weren't actually bugs, while spreading FUD about this module without
1795actually giving any details on his accusations. You be the judge, but
1796in my personal opinion, if you want quality, you will stay away from
1797dangerous forks like that.
1425 1798
1426 1799
1427=head1 BUGS 1800=head1 BUGS
1428 1801
1429While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1802While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
1433Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1806Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1434service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1807service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1435 1808
1436=cut 1809=cut
1437 1810
1438our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1811BEGIN {
1439our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1812 *true = \$Types::Serialiser::true;
1813 *true = \&Types::Serialiser::true;
1814 *false = \$Types::Serialiser::false;
1815 *false = \&Types::Serialiser::false;
1816 *is_bool = \&Types::Serialiser::is_bool;
1440 1817
1441sub true() { $true } 1818 *JSON::XS::Boolean:: = *Types::Serialiser::Boolean::;
1442sub false() { $false }
1443
1444sub is_bool($) {
1445 UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::XS::Boolean"
1446# or UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::Literal"
1447} 1819}
1448 1820
1449XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION; 1821XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION;
1450
1451package JSON::XS::Boolean;
1452
1453use overload
1454 "0+" => sub { ${$_[0]} },
1455 "++" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} + 1 },
1456 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1457 fallback => 1;
1458
14591;
1460 1822
1461=head1 SEE ALSO 1823=head1 SEE ALSO
1462 1824
1463The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments. 1825The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1464 1826
1467 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1829 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1468 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1830 http://home.schmorp.de/
1469 1831
1470=cut 1832=cut
1471 1833
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1835

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