ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/JSON-XS/XS.pm
(Generate patch)

Comparing JSON-XS/XS.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.155 by root, Mon Nov 24 18:42:51 2014 UTC vs.
Revision 1.174 by root, Sun Feb 24 04:21:05 2019 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.
101 87
102package JSON::XS; 88package JSON::XS;
103 89
104use common::sense; 90use common::sense;
105 91
106our $VERSION = 3.01; 92our $VERSION = '4.01';
107our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 93our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
108 94
109our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json); 95our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json);
110 96
111use Exporter; 97use Exporter;
116=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 102=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
117 103
118The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 104The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
119exported by default: 105exported by default:
120 106
121=over 4 107=over
122 108
123=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar 109=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
124 110
125Converts 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
126(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error. 112(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
131 117
132Except being faster. 118Except being faster.
133 119
134=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text 120=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
135 121
136The 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
137to 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
138reference. Croaks on error. 124reference. Croaks on error.
139 125
140This function call is functionally identical to: 126This function call is functionally identical to:
141 127
142 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 128 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
149=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL 135=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
150 136
151Since 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
152how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs. 138how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs.
153 139
154=over 4 140=over
155 141
156=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255. 142=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
157 143
158This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a 144This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
159Perl string - very natural. 145Perl string - very natural.
197=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 183=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
198 184
199The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 185The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
200decoding style, within the limits of supported formats. 186decoding style, within the limits of supported formats.
201 187
202=over 4 188=over
203 189
204=item $json = new JSON::XS 190=item $json = new JSON::XS
205 191
206Creates 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
207strings. 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>).
208 196
209The 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
210be chained: 198be chained:
211 199
212 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]})
270 258
271=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8 259=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
272 260
273If C<$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
274the 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
275C<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
276note 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
277range 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
278versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 266versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
279and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 267and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
280 268
365 353
366=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed 354=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
367 355
368If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 356If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
369extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 357extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
370affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid 358affected in any way. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
371JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to 359JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
372parse application-specific files written by humans (configuration files, 360parse application-specific files written by humans (configuration files,
373resource files etc.) 361resource files etc.)
374 362
375If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<decode> will only accept 363If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<decode> will only accept
376valid JSON texts. 364valid JSON texts.
377 365
378Currently accepted extensions are: 366Currently accepted extensions are:
379 367
380=over 4 368=over
381 369
382=item * list items can have an end-comma 370=item * list items can have an end-comma
383 371
384JSON I<separates> array elements and key-value pairs with commas. This 372JSON I<separates> array elements and key-value pairs with commas. This
385can 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
441 429
442=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 430=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
443 431
444=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 432=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
445 433
434Unlike other boolean options, this opotion is enabled by default beginning
435with version C<4.0>. See L<SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS> for the gory details.
436
446If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 437If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
447non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 438non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
448which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 439which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
449values instead of croaking. 440values instead of croaking.
450 441
451If C<$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
452passed 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
453or 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
454JSON object or array. 445JSON object or array.
455 446
456Example, 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>,
457resulting in an invalid JSON text: 448resulting in an error:
458 449
459 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 450 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref (0)->encode ("Hello, World!")
460 => "Hello, World!" 451 => hash- or arrayref expected...
461 452
462=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable]) 453=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
463 454
464=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown 455=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
465 456
515 506
516This setting has no effect on C<decode>. 507This setting has no effect on C<decode>.
517 508
518=item $json = $json->allow_tags ([$enable]) 509=item $json = $json->allow_tags ([$enable])
519 510
520=item $enabled = $json->allow_tags 511=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_tags
521 512
522See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION> for details. 513See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION> for details.
523 514
524If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 515If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
525blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<FREEZE> method on 516blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<FREEZE> method on
531 522
532If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will not consider 523If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will not consider
533this type of conversion, and tagged JSON values will cause a parse error 524this type of conversion, and tagged JSON values will cause a parse error
534in C<decode>, as if tags were not part of the grammar. 525in C<decode>, as if tags were not part of the grammar.
535 526
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.
544
536=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)]) 545=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)])
537 546
538When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each 547When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each
539time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to the 548time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to
540newly-created hash. If the code references returns a single scalar (which 549the newly-created hash. If the code reference returns a single scalar
541need not be a reference), this value (i.e. a copy of that scalar to avoid 550(which need not be a reference), this value (or rather a copy of it) is
542aliasing) is inserted into the deserialised data structure. If it returns 551inserted into the deserialised data structure. If it returns an empty
543an empty list (NOTE: I<not> C<undef>, which is a valid scalar), the 552list (NOTE: I<not> C<undef>, which is a valid scalar), the original
544original deserialised hash will be inserted. This setting can slow down 553deserialised hash will be inserted. This setting can slow down decoding
545decoding considerably. 554considerably.
546 555
547When C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, any existing callback will 556When C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, any existing callback will
548be 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
549way. 558way.
550 559
697 706
698This 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
699and you need to know where the JSON text ends. 708and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
700 709
701 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 710 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
702 => ([], 3) 711 => ([1], 3)
703 712
704=back 713=back
705 714
706 715
707=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING 716=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
724to 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
725parsing in the presence if syntax errors. 734parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
726 735
727The following methods implement this incremental parser. 736The following methods implement this incremental parser.
728 737
729=over 4 738=over
730 739
731=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string]) 740=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
732 741
733This 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
734extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these 743extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these
748C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of 757C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
749using the method. 758using the method.
750 759
751And 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
752from 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
753otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON 762otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators (other than
754objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If 763whitespace) between the JSON objects or arrays, instead they must be
755an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context 764concatenated back-to-back. If an error occurs, an exception will be
756case. 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
757lost. 766previously-parsed JSON texts will be lost.
758 767
759Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return 768Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
760them. 769them.
761 770
762 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]"); 771 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
769all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it. 778all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it.
770although 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
771real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this 780real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this
772method before having parsed anything. 781method before having parsed anything.
773 782
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
774This 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
775JSON 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
776(such as commas). 789(such as commas).
777 790
778=item $json->incr_skip 791=item $json->incr_skip
797 810
798=back 811=back
799 812
800=head2 LIMITATIONS 813=head2 LIMITATIONS
801 814
802All options that affect decoding are supported, except 815The incremental parser is a non-exact parser: it works by gathering as
803C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to work 816much text as possible that I<could> be a valid JSON text, followed by
804sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can 817trying to decode it.
805concatenate them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does
806not hold true for JSON numbers, however.
807 818
808For 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
809start 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
810of 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
811takes 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.
812 828
813=head2 EXAMPLES 829=head2 EXAMPLES
814 830
815Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that 831Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that
816works 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
960refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 976refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
961 977
962 978
963=head2 JSON -> PERL 979=head2 JSON -> PERL
964 980
965=over 4 981=over
966 982
967=item object 983=item object
968 984
969A 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
970keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself). 986keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
1038 1054
1039The 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
1040truly 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
1041a Perl value. 1057a Perl value.
1042 1058
1043=over 4 1059=over
1044 1060
1045=item hash references 1061=item hash references
1046 1062
1047Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent 1063Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
1048ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded 1064ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
1137 1153
1138What happens when C<JSON::XS> encounters a Perl object depends on the 1154What happens when C<JSON::XS> encounters a Perl object depends on the
1139C<allow_blessed>, C<convert_blessed> and C<allow_tags> settings, which are 1155C<allow_blessed>, C<convert_blessed> and C<allow_tags> settings, which are
1140used in this order: 1156used in this order:
1141 1157
1142=over 4 1158=over
1143 1159
1144=item 1. C<allow_tags> is enabled and the object has a C<FREEZE> method. 1160=item 1. C<allow_tags> is enabled and the object has a C<FREEZE> method.
1145 1161
1146In this case, C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> object 1162In this case, C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> object
1147serialisation protocol to create a tagged JSON value, using a nonstandard 1163serialisation protocol to create a tagged JSON value, using a nonstandard
1258takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into 1274takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
1259octets. 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,
1260and 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
1261the same time, which can be confusing. 1277the same time, which can be confusing.
1262 1278
1263=over 4 1279=over
1264 1280
1265=item C<utf8> flag disabled 1281=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1266 1282
1267When 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
1268and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode 1284and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1285expect 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"
1286of 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
1287that. 1303that.
1288 1304
1289The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you 1305The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
1290will 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
1291octet/binary string in Perl. 1307octet/binary string in Perl.
1292 1308
1293=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled 1309=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
1294 1310
1295With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters 1311With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
1427general 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
1428versa, 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
1429high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you 1445high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1430least expect it. 1446least expect it.
1431 1447
1432=over 4 1448=over
1433 1449
1434=item (*) 1450=item (*)
1435 1451
1436I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the 1452I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1437authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him 1453authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1563are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with 1579are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1564it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting 1580it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1565security right). 1581security right).
1566 1582
1567 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
1568=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES 1679=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES
1569 1680
1570C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean 1681C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean
1571constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be 1682constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be
1572comaptible to true and false values of iother modules that do the same, 1683comaptible to true and false values of other modules that do the same,
1573such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>. 1684such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>.
1574 1685
1575 1686
1576=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER JSON DECODERS 1687=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER JSON DECODERS
1577 1688
1594 1705
1595When you use C<allow_tags> to use the extended (and also nonstandard and 1706When you use C<allow_tags> to use the extended (and also nonstandard and
1596invalid) JSON syntax for serialised objects, and you still want to decode 1707invalid) JSON syntax for serialised objects, and you still want to decode
1597the generated When you want to serialise objects, you can run a regex 1708the generated When you want to serialise objects, you can run a regex
1598to replace the tagged syntax by standard JSON arrays (it only works for 1709to replace the tagged syntax by standard JSON arrays (it only works for
1599"normal" packagesnames without comma, newlines or single colons). First, 1710"normal" package names without comma, newlines or single colons). First,
1600the readable Perl version: 1711the readable Perl version:
1601 1712
1602 # if your FREEZE methods return no values, you need this replace first: 1713 # if your FREEZE methods return no values, you need this replace first:
1603 $json =~ s/\( \s* (" (?: [^\\":,]+|\\.|::)* ") \s* \) \s* \[\s*\]/[$1]/gx; 1714 $json =~ s/\( \s* (" (?: [^\\":,]+|\\.|::)* ") \s* \) \s* \[\s*\]/[$1]/gx;
1604 1715
1633 1744
1634Again, this has some limitations - the magic string must not be encoded 1745Again, this has some limitations - the magic string must not be encoded
1635with character escapes, and the constructor arguments must be non-empty. 1746with character escapes, and the constructor arguments must be non-empty.
1636 1747
1637 1748
1638=head1 RFC7159
1639
1640Since this module was written, Google has written a new JSON RFC, RFC 7159
1641(and RFC7158). Unfortunately, this RFC breaks compatibility with both the
1642original JSON specification on www.json.org and RFC4627.
1643
1644As far as I can see, you can get partial compatibility when parsing by
1645using C<< ->allow_nonref >>. However, consider thew security implications
1646of doing so.
1647
1648I haven't decided yet when to break compatibility with RFC4627 by default
1649(and potentially leave applications insecure) and change the default to
1650follow RFC7159, but application authors are well advised to call C<<
1651->allow_nonref(0) >> even if this is the current default, if they cannot
1652handle non-reference values, in preparation for the day when the4 default
1653will change.
1654
1655
1656=head1 THREADS 1749=head1 (I-)THREADS
1657 1750
1658This 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
1659plans 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
1660horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated 1753threads/ithreads are officially deprecated and should not be used.
1661process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1662
1663(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1664 1754
1665 1755
1666=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE 1756=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1667 1757
1668Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the 1758Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1677categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>. 1767categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1678 1768
1679If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that 1769If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1680actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it 1770actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1681afterwards. 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.
1682 1798
1683 1799
1684=head1 BUGS 1800=head1 BUGS
1685 1801
1686While 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

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines