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Revision 1.10 by root, Fri Mar 23 17:40:29 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.20 by root, Sun Mar 25 00:47:42 2007 UTC

3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast 3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use JSON::XS; 7 use JSON::XS;
8
9 # exported functions, croak on error
10
11 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
12 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text;
13
14 # oo-interface
15
16 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
17 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
18 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
8 19
9=head1 DESCRIPTION 20=head1 DESCRIPTION
10 21
11This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 22This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
12primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be 23primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be
38by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 49by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
39(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2"). 50(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2").
40 51
41=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 52=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
42 53
43There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON strings by default, 54There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
44and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security 55and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
45feature). 56feature).
46 57
47=item * fast 58=item * fast
48 59
66 77
67=cut 78=cut
68 79
69package JSON::XS; 80package JSON::XS;
70 81
82use strict;
83
71BEGIN { 84BEGIN {
72 $VERSION = '0.3'; 85 our $VERSION = '0.7';
73 @ISA = qw(Exporter); 86 our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
74 87
75 @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 88 our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json);
76 require Exporter; 89 require Exporter;
77 90
78 require XSLoader; 91 require XSLoader;
79 XSLoader::load JSON::XS::, $VERSION; 92 XSLoader::load JSON::XS::, $VERSION;
80} 93}
84The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 97The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are
85exported by default: 98exported by default:
86 99
87=over 4 100=over 4
88 101
89=item $json_string = to_json $perl_scalar 102=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar
90 103
91Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to 104Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to
92a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains 105a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains
93octets only). Croaks on error. 106octets only). Croaks on error.
94 107
95This function call is functionally identical to C<< JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) >>. 108This function call is functionally identical to:
96 109
110 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
111
112except being faster.
113
97=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_string 114=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text
98 115
99The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to 116The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to
100parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON string, returning the resulting simple 117parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting simple
101scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 118scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
102 119
103This function call is functionally identical to C<< JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_string) >>. 120This function call is functionally identical to:
121
122 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
123
124except being faster.
104 125
105=back 126=back
106 127
107=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 128=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
108 129
117strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>. 138strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>.
118 139
119The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can 140The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can
120be chained: 141be chained:
121 142
122 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8(1)->space_after(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 143 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
123 => {"a": [1, 2]} 144 => {"a": [1, 2]}
124 145
125=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 146=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
126 147
127If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will 148If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
128not generate characters outside the code range C<0..127>. Any unicode 149generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
129characters outside that range will be escaped using either a single 150unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
130\uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, as per 151single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
131RFC4627. 152as per RFC4627.
132 153
133If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 154If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
134characters unless necessary. 155characters unless required by the JSON syntax. This results in a faster
156and more compact format.
135 157
136 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode (chr 0x10401) 158 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
137 => \ud801\udc01 159 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
138 160
139=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 161=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
140 162
141If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 163If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
142the JSON string into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 164the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
143C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 165C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
144note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 166note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
145range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. 167range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
168versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
169and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
146 170
147If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 171If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
148string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 172string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
149unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 173unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
150to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 174to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
151 175
176Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
177
178 use Encode;
179 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
180
181Example, decode UTF-32LE-encoded JSON:
182
183 use Encode;
184 $object = JSON::XS->new->decode (decode "UTF-32LE", $jsontext);
185
152=item $json = $json->pretty ([$enable]) 186=item $json = $json->pretty ([$enable])
153 187
154This enables (or disables) all of the C<indent>, C<space_before> and 188This enables (or disables) all of the C<indent>, C<space_before> and
155C<space_after> (and in the future possibly more) flags in one call to 189C<space_after> (and in the future possibly more) flags in one call to
156generate the most readable (or most compact) form possible. 190generate the most readable (or most compact) form possible.
191
192Example, pretty-print some simple structure:
157 193
158 my $json = JSON::XS->new->pretty(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 194 my $json = JSON::XS->new->pretty(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]})
159 => 195 =>
160 { 196 {
161 "a" : [ 197 "a" : [
169If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 205If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
170format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 206format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
171into its own line, identing them properly. 207into its own line, identing them properly.
172 208
173If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 209If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
174resulting JSON strings is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 210resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
175 211
176This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 212This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
177 213
178=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 214=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
179 215
180If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 216If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
181optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 217optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
182 218
183If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 219If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
184space at those places. 220space at those places.
185 221
186This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. You will also most 222This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. You will also
187likely combine this setting with C<space_after>. 223most likely combine this setting with C<space_after>.
224
225Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
226
227 {"key" :"value"}
188 228
189=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 229=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
190 230
191If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 231If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
192optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 232optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
194members. 234members.
195 235
196If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 236If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
197space at those places. 237space at those places.
198 238
199This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 239This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
240
241Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
242
243 {"key": "value"}
200 244
201=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 245=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
202 246
203If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 247If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
204by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 248by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
206If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 250If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
207pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 251pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
208of the same script). 252of the same script).
209 253
210This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 254This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
211the same JSON string (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 255the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
212the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 256the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
213as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 257as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
214 258
215This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 259This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
216 260
217=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 261=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
218 262
219If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 263If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
220non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 264non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
221which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 265which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
222values instead of croaking. 266values instead of croaking.
223 267
224If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't 268If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't
225passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON strings must either be an object 269passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON texts must either be an object
226or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a 270or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a
227JSON object or array. 271JSON object or array.
272
273Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value with enabled C<allow_nonref>,
274resulting in an invalid JSON text:
275
276 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
277 => "Hello, World!"
228 278
229=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 279=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
230 280
231Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 281Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
232strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 282strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
233C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 283C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
234memory when your JSON strings are either very very long or you have many 284memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
235short strings. It will also try to downgrade any strings to octet-form 285short strings. It will also try to downgrade any strings to octet-form
236if possible: perl stores strings internally either in an encoding called 286if possible: perl stores strings internally either in an encoding called
237UTF-X or in octet-form. The latter cannot store everything but uses less 287UTF-X or in octet-form. The latter cannot store everything but uses less
238space in general. 288space in general.
239 289
245 295
246In the future, this setting might control other things, such as converting 296In the future, this setting might control other things, such as converting
247strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 297strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
248internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 298internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
249 299
250=item $json_string = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 300=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
251 301
252Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 302Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference
253to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 303to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be
254converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays 304converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
255become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined 305become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
256Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true> 306Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
257nor C<false> values will be generated. 307nor C<false> values will be generated.
258 308
259=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_string) 309=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
260 310
261The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON string and tries to parse it, 311The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
262returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 312returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
263 313
264JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become 314JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
265Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes 315Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
266C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>. 316C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
283=over 4 333=over 4
284 334
285=item object 335=item object
286 336
287A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 337A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
288keys is preserved. 338keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself).
289 339
290=item array 340=item array
291 341
292A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 342A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
293 343
329=item hash references 379=item hash references
330 380
331Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 381Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering
332in hash keys, they will usually be encoded in a pseudo-random order that 382in hash keys, they will usually be encoded in a pseudo-random order that
333can change between runs of the same program but stays generally the same 383can change between runs of the same program but stays generally the same
334within the single run of a program. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash 384within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash
335keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure 385keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure
336will serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of 386will serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
337JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead. 387JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead.
338 388
339=item array references 389=item array references
378 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 428 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
379 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 429 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours.
380 430
381You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 431You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other,
382less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 432less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability.
433
434=item circular data structures
435
436Those will be encoded until memory or stackspace runs out.
383 437
384=back 438=back
385 439
386=head1 COMPARISON 440=head1 COMPARISON
387 441
415 469
416Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 470Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic
417values will make it croak). 471values will make it croak).
418 472
419Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 473Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}>
420which is not a valid JSON string. 474which is not a valid JSON text.
421 475
422Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 476Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
423getting fixed). 477getting fixed).
424 478
425=item JSON::Syck 0.21 479=item JSON::Syck 0.21
427Very buggy (often crashes). 481Very buggy (often crashes).
428 482
429Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 483Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much
430undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 484undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a
431single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to 485single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
432generate ASCII-only JSON strings). 486generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
433 487
434Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 488Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode
435escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 489escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to
436I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 490I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour).
437 491
460 514
461Very inflexible. 515Very inflexible.
462 516
463No roundtripping. 517No roundtripping.
464 518
465Does not generate valid JSON (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys 519Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
466result in nothing being output) 520result in nothing being output)
467 521
468Does not check input for validity. 522Does not check input for validity.
469 523
470=back 524=back
474It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 528It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
475tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 529tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
476in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 530in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
477system. 531system.
478 532
479First is a comparison between various modules using a very simple JSON 533First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short JSON
534string:
535
536 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], "id": null}
537
480string, showing the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS is 538It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses the
481the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 is the OO interface with 539functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface with
482pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled). 540pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled). Higher is better:
483 541
484 module | encode | decode | 542 module | encode | decode |
485 -----------|------------|------------| 543 -----------|------------|------------|
486 JSON | 14006 | 6820 | 544 JSON | 11488.516 | 7823.035 |
487 JSON::DWIW | 200937 | 120386 | 545 JSON::DWIW | 94708.054 | 129094.260 |
488 JSON::PC | 85065 | 129366 | 546 JSON::PC | 63884.157 | 128528.212 |
489 JSON::Syck | 59898 | 44232 | 547 JSON::Syck | 34898.677 | 42096.911 |
490 JSON::XS | 1171478 | 342435 | 548 JSON::XS | 654027.064 | 396423.669 |
491 JSON::XS/2 | 730760 | 328714 | 549 JSON::XS/2 | 371564.190 | 371725.613 |
492 -----------+------------+------------+ 550 -----------+------------+------------+
493 551
494That is, JSON::XS is 6 times faster than than JSON::DWIW and about 80 552That is, JSON::XS is more than six times faster than JSON::DWIW on
553encoding, more than three times faster on decoding, and about thirty times
495times faster than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. 554faster than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting.
496 555
497Using a longer test string (roughly 8KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 556Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
498search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 557search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg):
499 558
500 module | encode | decode | 559 module | encode | decode |
501 -----------|------------|------------| 560 -----------|------------|------------|
502 JSON | 673 | 38 | 561 JSON | 273.023 | 44.674 |
503 JSON::DWIW | 5271 | 770 | 562 JSON::DWIW | 1089.383 | 1145.704 |
504 JSON::PC | 9901 | 2491 | 563 JSON::PC | 3097.419 | 2393.921 |
505 JSON::Syck | 2360 | 786 | 564 JSON::Syck | 514.060 | 843.053 |
506 JSON::XS | 37398 | 3202 | 565 JSON::XS | 6479.668 | 3636.364 |
507 JSON::XS/2 | 13765 | 3153 | 566 JSON::XS/2 | 3774.221 | 3599.124 |
508 -----------+------------+------------+ 567 -----------+------------+------------+
509 568
510Again, JSON::XS leads by far in the encoding case, while still beating 569Again, JSON::XS leads by far.
511every other module in the decoding case.
512 570
513Last example is an almost 8MB large hash with many large binary values 571On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules
514(PNG files), resulting in a lot of escaping: 572(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
573will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse
574to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
575comparison table for that case.
576
577=head1 RESOURCE LIMITS
578
579JSON::XS does not impose any limits on the size of JSON texts or Perl
580values they represent - if your machine can handle it, JSON::XS will
581encode or decode it. Future versions might optionally impose structure
582depth and memory use resource limits.
515 583
516=head1 BUGS 584=head1 BUGS
517 585
518While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 586While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
519not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 587not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is

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