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Revision 1.3 by root, Thu Mar 22 18:10:29 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.22 by root, Sun Mar 25 02:37:00 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, they croak on error
10 # and expect/generate UTF-8
11
12 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
13 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text;
14
15 # objToJson and jsonToObj aliases to to_json and from_json
16 # are exported for compatibility to the JSON module,
17 # but should not be used in new code.
18
19 # OO-interface
20
21 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
22 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
23 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
8 24
9=head1 DESCRIPTION 25=head1 DESCRIPTION
10 26
11This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 27This 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 28primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be
18their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 34their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
19reports for other reasons. 35reports for other reasons.
20 36
21See COMPARISON, below, for a comparison to some other JSON modules. 37See COMPARISON, below, for a comparison to some other JSON modules.
22 38
39See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and
40vice versa.
41
23=head2 FEATURES 42=head2 FEATURES
24 43
25=over 4 44=over 4
26 45
27=item * correct handling of unicode issues 46=item * correct unicode handling
28 47
29This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how it does so. 48This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when
49it does so.
30 50
31=item * round-trip integrity 51=item * round-trip integrity
32 52
33When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 53When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported
34by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 54by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
35(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2"). 55(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks
56like a number).
36 57
37=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 58=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
38 59
39There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON strings by default, 60There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
40and only JSON is accepted as input (the latter is a security feature). 61and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
62feature).
41 63
42=item * fast 64=item * fast
43 65
44compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably. 66Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms
67of speed, too.
45 68
46=item * simple to use 69=item * simple to use
47 70
48This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO 71This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO
49interface. 72interface.
50 73
51=item * reasonably versatile output formats 74=item * reasonably versatile output formats
52 75
53You can choose between the most compact format possible, a pure-ascii 76You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format
54format, or a pretty-printed format. Or you can combine those features in 77possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format
55whatever way you like. 78(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole
79unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that
80stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
56 81
57=back 82=back
58 83
59=cut 84=cut
60 85
61package JSON::XS; 86package JSON::XS;
62 87
88use strict;
89
63BEGIN { 90BEGIN {
64 $VERSION = '0.1'; 91 our $VERSION = '0.8';
65 @ISA = qw(Exporter); 92 our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
66 93
67 @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 94 our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json objToJson jsonToObj);
68 require Exporter; 95 require Exporter;
69 96
70 require XSLoader; 97 require XSLoader;
71 XSLoader::load JSON::XS::, $VERSION; 98 XSLoader::load JSON::XS::, $VERSION;
72} 99}
76The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 103The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are
77exported by default: 104exported by default:
78 105
79=over 4 106=over 4
80 107
81=item $json_string = to_json $perl_scalar 108=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar
82 109
83Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to 110Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to
84a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains 111a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains
85octets only). Croaks on error. 112octets only). Croaks on error.
86 113
87This function call is functionally identical to C<< JSON::XS->new->utf8 114This function call is functionally identical to:
88(1)->encode ($perl_scalar) >>.
89 115
116 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
117
118except being faster.
119
90=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_string 120=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text
91 121
92The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to 122The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to
93parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON string, returning the resulting simple 123parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting simple
94scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 124scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
95 125
96This function call is functionally identical to C<< JSON::XS->new->utf8 126This function call is functionally identical to:
97(1)->decode ($json_string) >>. 127
128 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
129
130except being faster.
98 131
99=back 132=back
100 133
101=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 134=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
102 135
111strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>. 144strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>.
112 145
113The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can 146The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can
114be chained: 147be chained:
115 148
116 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8(1)->space_after(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 149 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
117 => {"a": [1, 2]} 150 => {"a": [1, 2]}
118 151
119=item $json = $json->ascii ($enable) 152=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
120 153
121If C<$enable> is true, then the C<encode> method will not generate 154If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
122characters outside the code range C<0..127>. Any unicode characters 155generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
123outside that range will be escaped using either a single \uXXXX (BMP 156unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
124characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, as per RFC4627. 157single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
158as per RFC4627.
125 159
126If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 160If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
127characters unless necessary. 161characters unless required by the JSON syntax. This results in a faster
162and more compact format.
128 163
129 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode (chr 0x10401) 164 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
130 => \ud801\udc01 165 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
131 166
132=item $json = $json->utf8 ($enable) 167=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
133 168
134If C<$enable> is true, then the C<encode> method will encode the JSON 169If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
135string into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the C<decode> 170the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
136method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please note that 171C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
137UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the range 172note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
138C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. 173range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
174versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
175and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
139 176
140If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 177If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
141string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 178string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
142unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 179unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
143to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 180to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
144 181
182Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
183
184 use Encode;
185 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
186
187Example, decode UTF-32LE-encoded JSON:
188
189 use Encode;
190 $object = JSON::XS->new->decode (decode "UTF-32LE", $jsontext);
191
145=item $json = $json->pretty ($enable) 192=item $json = $json->pretty ([$enable])
146 193
147This enables (or disables) all of the C<indent>, C<space_before> and 194This enables (or disables) all of the C<indent>, C<space_before> and
148C<space_after> (and in the future possibly more) flags in one call to 195C<space_after> (and in the future possibly more) flags in one call to
149generate the most readable (or most compact) form possible. 196generate the most readable (or most compact) form possible.
197
198Example, pretty-print some simple structure:
150 199
151 my $json = JSON::XS->new->pretty(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 200 my $json = JSON::XS->new->pretty(1)->encode ({a => [1,2]})
152 => 201 =>
153 { 202 {
154 "a" : [ 203 "a" : [
155 1, 204 1,
156 2 205 2
157 ] 206 ]
158 } 207 }
159 208
160=item $json = $json->indent ($enable) 209=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
161 210
162If C<$enable> is true, then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 211If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
163format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 212format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
164into its own line, identing them properly. 213into its own line, identing them properly.
165 214
166If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 215If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
167resulting JSON strings is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 216resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
168 217
169This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 218This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
170 219
171=item $json = $json->space_before ($enable) 220=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
172 221
173If C<$enable> is true, then the C<encode> method will add an extra 222If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
174optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 223optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
175 224
176If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 225If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
177space at those places. 226space at those places.
178 227
179This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. You will also most 228This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. You will also
180likely combine this setting with C<space_after>. 229most likely combine this setting with C<space_after>.
181 230
231Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
232
233 {"key" :"value"}
234
182=item $json = $json->space_after ($enable) 235=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
183 236
184If C<$enable> is true, then the C<encode> method will add an extra 237If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
185optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 238optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
186and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 239and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
187members. 240members.
188 241
189If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 242If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
190space at those places. 243space at those places.
191 244
192This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 245This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
193 246
247Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
248
249 {"key": "value"}
250
194=item $json = $json->canonical ($enable) 251=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
195 252
196If C<$enable> is true, then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 253If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
197by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 254by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
198 255
199If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 256If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
200pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 257pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
201of the same script). 258of the same script).
202 259
203This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 260This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
204the same JSON string (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 261the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
205the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 262the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
206as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 263as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
207 264
208This setting has no effect when decoding JSON strings. 265This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
209 266
210=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ($enable) 267=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
211 268
212If C<$enable> is true, then the C<encode> method can convert a 269If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
213non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 270non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
214which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 271which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
215values instead of croaking. 272values instead of croaking.
216 273
217If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't 274If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't
218passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON strings must either be an object 275passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON texts must either be an object
219or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a 276or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a
220JSON object or array. 277JSON object or array.
221 278
279Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value with enabled C<allow_nonref>,
280resulting in an invalid JSON text:
281
282 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
283 => "Hello, World!"
284
285=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
286
287Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
288strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
289C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
290memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
291short strings. It will also try to downgrade any strings to octet-form
292if possible: perl stores strings internally either in an encoding called
293UTF-X or in octet-form. The latter cannot store everything but uses less
294space in general.
295
296If C<$enable> is true (or missing), the string returned by C<encode> will be shrunk-to-fit,
297while all strings generated by C<decode> will also be shrunk-to-fit.
298
299If C<$enable> is false, then the normal perl allocation algorithms are used.
300If you work with your data, then this is likely to be faster.
301
302In the future, this setting might control other things, such as converting
303strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
304internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
305
222=item $json_string = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 306=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
223 307
224Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 308Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference
225to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 309to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be
226converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays 310converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
227become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined 311become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
228Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true> 312Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
229nor C<false> values will be generated. 313nor C<false> values will be generated.
230 314
231=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_string) 315=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
232 316
233The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON string and tries to parse it, 317The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
234returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 318returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
235 319
236JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become 320JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
237Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes 321Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
238C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>. 322C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
239 323
240=back 324=back
241 325
326=head1 MAPPING
327
328This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and
329vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
330circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
331(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
332
333For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
334lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl>
335refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
336
337=head2 JSON -> PERL
338
339=over 4
340
341=item object
342
343A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
344keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself).
345
346=item array
347
348A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
349
350=item string
351
352A JSON string becomes a string scalar in Perl - Unicode codepoints in JSON
353are represented by the same codepoints in the Perl string, so no manual
354decoding is necessary.
355
356=item number
357
358A JSON number becomes either an integer or numeric (floating point)
359scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On the
360Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all the
361conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and might
362represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers.
363
364=item true, false
365
366These JSON atoms become C<0>, C<1>, respectively. Information is lost in
367this process. Future versions might represent those values differently,
368but they will be guarenteed to act like these integers would normally in
369Perl.
370
371=item null
372
373A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
374
375=back
376
377=head2 PERL -> JSON
378
379The mapping from Perl to JSON is slightly more difficult, as Perl is a
380truly typeless language, so we can only guess which JSON type is meant by
381a Perl value.
382
383=over 4
384
385=item hash references
386
387Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering
388in hash keys, they will usually be encoded in a pseudo-random order that
389can change between runs of the same program but stays generally the same
390within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash
391keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure
392will serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
393JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead.
394
395=item array references
396
397Perl array references become JSON arrays.
398
399=item blessed objects
400
401Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their
402underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might
403change in future versions.
404
405=item simple scalars
406
407Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
408difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
409JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context
410before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value:
411
412 # dump as number
413 to_json [2] # yields [2]
414 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
415 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5]
416
417 # used as string, so dump as string
418 print $value;
419 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
420
421 # undef becomes null
422 to_json [undef] # yields [null]
423
424You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it:
425
426 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
427 "$x"; # stringified
428 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
429 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
430
431You can force the type to be a number by numifying it:
432
433 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
434 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
435 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours.
436
437You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other,
438less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability.
439
440=item circular data structures
441
442Those will be encoded until memory or stackspace runs out.
443
444=back
445
242=head1 COMPARISON 446=head1 COMPARISON
243 447
244As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 448As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing
245JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the 449JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the
246problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules, 450problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules,
247followed by some benchmark values. 451followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer
452from any of these problems or limitations.
248 453
249=over 4 454=over 4
250 455
251=item JSON 456=item JSON 1.07
252 457
253Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 458Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl).
254 459
255Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 460Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is
256undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing 461undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing
258 463
259No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 464No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g.
260the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will 465the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will
261decode into the number 2. 466decode into the number 2.
262 467
263=item JSON::PC 468=item JSON::PC 0.01
264 469
265Very fast. 470Very fast.
471
472Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling.
473
474No roundtripping.
475
476Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic
477values will make it croak).
478
479Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}>
480which is not a valid JSON text.
481
482Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
483getting fixed).
484
485=item JSON::Syck 0.21
486
487Very buggy (often crashes).
266 488
267Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 489Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much
268undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 490undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a
269single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to 491single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
270generate ASCII-only JSON strings). 492generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
271
272Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling.
273
274No roundtripping.
275
276Has problems handling many Perl values.
277
278Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}>
279which is not a valid JSON string.
280
281Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
282getting fixed).
283
284=item JSON::Syck
285
286Very buggy (often crashes).
287
288Very inflexible.
289 493
290Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 494Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode
291escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 495escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to
292I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 496I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour).
293 497
305JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money, 509JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
306while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a 510while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
307good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and 511good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
308the transaction will still not succeed). 512the transaction will still not succeed).
309 513
310=item JSON::DWIW 514=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
311 515
312Very fast. Very natural. Very nice. 516Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
313 517
314Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes 518Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
315still don't get parsed properly). 519still don't get parsed properly).
316 520
317Very inflexible. 521Very inflexible.
318 522
319No roundtripping. 523No roundtripping.
320 524
525Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
526result in nothing being output)
527
321Does not check input for validity. 528Does not check input for validity.
322 529
323=back 530=back
324 531
325=head2 SPEED 532=head2 SPEED
533
534It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
535tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
536in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
537system.
538
539First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short JSON
540string:
541
542 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], "id": null}
543
544It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses the
545functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface with
546pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled). Higher is better:
547
548 module | encode | decode |
549 -----------|------------|------------|
550 JSON | 11488.516 | 7823.035 |
551 JSON::DWIW | 94708.054 | 129094.260 |
552 JSON::PC | 63884.157 | 128528.212 |
553 JSON::Syck | 34898.677 | 42096.911 |
554 JSON::XS | 654027.064 | 396423.669 |
555 JSON::XS/2 | 371564.190 | 371725.613 |
556 -----------+------------+------------+
557
558That is, JSON::XS is more than six times faster than JSON::DWIW on
559encoding, more than three times faster on decoding, and about thirty times
560faster than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting.
561
562Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
563search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg):
564
565 module | encode | decode |
566 -----------|------------|------------|
567 JSON | 273.023 | 44.674 |
568 JSON::DWIW | 1089.383 | 1145.704 |
569 JSON::PC | 3097.419 | 2393.921 |
570 JSON::Syck | 514.060 | 843.053 |
571 JSON::XS | 6479.668 | 3636.364 |
572 JSON::XS/2 | 3774.221 | 3599.124 |
573 -----------+------------+------------+
574
575Again, JSON::XS leads by far.
576
577On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules
578(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
579will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse
580to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
581comparison table for that case.
582
583=head1 RESOURCE LIMITS
584
585JSON::XS does not impose any limits on the size of JSON texts or Perl
586values they represent - if your machine can handle it, JSON::XS will
587encode or decode it. Future versions might optionally impose structure
588depth and memory use resource limits.
589
590=head1 BUGS
591
592While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
593not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is
594still very young and not well-tested. If you keep reporting bugs they will
595be fixed swiftly, though.
326 596
327=cut 597=cut
328 598
3291; 5991;
330 600

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