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Revision 1.47 by root, Mon Jun 25 06:57:42 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.90 by root, Wed Mar 19 22:28:43 2008 UTC

1=encoding utf-8
2
1=head1 NAME 3=head1 NAME
2 4
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast 5JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
6
7JSON::XS - 正しくて高速な JSON シリアライザ/デシリアライザ
8 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html)
4 9
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 10=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 11
7 use JSON::XS; 12 use JSON::XS;
8 13
9 # exported functions, they croak on error 14 # exported functions, they croak on error
10 # and expect/generate UTF-8 15 # and expect/generate UTF-8
11 16
12 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref; 17 $utf8_encoded_json_text = encode_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
13 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text; 18 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = decode_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
19 # OO-interface 20 # OO-interface
20 21
21 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref; 22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
22 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar); 23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
23 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text); 24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
24 25
26 # Note that JSON version 2.0 and above will automatically use JSON::XS
27 # if available, at virtually no speed overhead either, so you should
28 # be able to just:
29
30 use JSON;
31
32 # and do the same things, except that you have a pure-perl fallback now.
33
25=head1 DESCRIPTION 34=head1 DESCRIPTION
26 35
27This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
28primary 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
29I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C. 38I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C.
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
42overriden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheritign 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.
30 47
31As this is the n-th-something JSON module on CPAN, what was the reason 48As this is the n-th-something JSON module on CPAN, what was the reason
32to write yet another JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON 49to write yet another JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON
33modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases 50modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases
34their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
41 58
42=head2 FEATURES 59=head2 FEATURES
43 60
44=over 4 61=over 4
45 62
46=item * correct unicode handling 63=item * correct Unicode handling
47 64
48This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when 65This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
49it does so. 66so, and even documents what "correct" means.
50 67
51=item * round-trip integrity 68=item * round-trip integrity
52 69
53When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 70When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported
54by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 71by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
55(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks 72(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks
56like a number). 73like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING
74section below to learn about those.
57 75
58=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 76=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
59 77
60There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 78There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
61and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security 79and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
62feature). 80feature).
63 81
64=item * fast 82=item * fast
65 83
66Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 84Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
67of speed, too. 85this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
68 86
69=item * simple to use 87=item * simple to use
70 88
71This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO 89This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an objetc
72interface. 90oriented interface interface.
73 91
74=item * reasonably versatile output formats 92=item * reasonably versatile output formats
75 93
76You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 94You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
77possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 95possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format
78(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole 96(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 97Unicode 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. 98stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
81 99
82=back 100=back
83 101
84=cut 102=cut
85 103
86package JSON::XS; 104package JSON::XS;
87 105
88use strict; 106use strict;
89 107
90our $VERSION = '1.4'; 108our $VERSION = '2.1';
91our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 109our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
92 110
93our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json objToJson jsonToObj); 111our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
112
113sub to_json($) {
114 require Carp;
115 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::to_json has been renamed to encode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
116}
117
118sub from_json($) {
119 require Carp;
120 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::from_json has been renamed to decode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
121}
94 122
95use Exporter; 123use Exporter;
96use XSLoader; 124use XSLoader;
97 125
98=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 126=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
99 127
100The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 128The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
101exported by default: 129exported by default:
102 130
103=over 4 131=over 4
104 132
105=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 133=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
106 134
107Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to 135Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
108a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains 136(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
109octets only). Croaks on error.
110 137
111This function call is functionally identical to: 138This function call is functionally identical to:
112 139
113 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 140 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
114 141
115except being faster. 142except being faster.
116 143
117=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 144=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
118 145
119The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to 146The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
120parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting simple 147to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
121scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 148reference. Croaks on error.
122 149
123This function call is functionally identical to: 150This function call is functionally identical to:
124 151
125 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 152 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
126 153
136Perl. 163Perl.
137 164
138=back 165=back
139 166
140 167
168=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
169
170Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on
171how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs.
172
173=over 4
174
175=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
176
177This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
178Perl string - very natural.
179
180=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
181
182... until you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or
183printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
184string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
185on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
186data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
187
188=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
189encoding of your string.
190
191Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in
192XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only
193confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string
194is encoded. You can have Unicode strings with that flag set, with that
195flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag
196clear. Other possibilities exist, too.
197
198If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
199exist.
200
201=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
202validly interpreted as a Unicode codepoint.
203
204If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
205Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
206
207=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
208
209It's a fact. Learn to live with it.
210
211=back
212
213I hope this helps :)
214
215
141=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 216=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
142 217
143The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 218The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
144decoding style, within the limits of supported formats. 219decoding style, within the limits of supported formats.
145 220
156 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 231 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
157 => {"a": [1, 2]} 232 => {"a": [1, 2]}
158 233
159=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 234=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
160 235
236=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
237
161If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 238If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
162generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 239generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
163unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 240Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
164single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 241single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
165as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native 242as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native
166unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string, 243Unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string,
167or any other superset of ASCII. 244or any other superset of ASCII.
168 245
169If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 246If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
170characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 247characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
171in a faster and more compact format. 248in a faster and more compact format.
172 249
250See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
251document.
252
173The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be 253The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be
174transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not 254transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not
175contain any 8 bit characters. 255contain any 8 bit characters.
176 256
177 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 257 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
178 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 258 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
179 259
180=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 260=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
181 261
262=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
263
182If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 264If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
183the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 265the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
184outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 266outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
185latin1-encoded JSON text or a native unicode string. The C<decode> method 267latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
186will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 268will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
187expects unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 269expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
188 270
189If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 271If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
190characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. 272characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags.
273
274See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
275document.
191 276
192The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON 277The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON
193text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded 278text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded
194size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 279size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
195in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 280in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
196transfering), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when 281transferring), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when
197you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently 282you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently
198in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders. 283in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders.
199 284
200 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 285 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
201 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 286 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
202 287
203=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 288=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
289
290=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
204 291
205If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 292If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
206the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 293the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
207C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 294C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
208note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 295note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
209range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 296range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
210versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 297versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
211and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 298and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
212 299
213If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 300If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
214string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 301string as a (non-encoded) Unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
215unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 302Unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
216to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 303to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
304
305See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
306document.
217 307
218Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 308Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
219 309
220 use Encode; 310 use Encode;
221 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 311 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
242 ] 332 ]
243 } 333 }
244 334
245=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 335=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
246 336
337=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
338
247If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 339If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
248format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 340format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
249into its own line, identing them properly. 341into its own line, indenting them properly.
250 342
251If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 343If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
252resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 344resulting JSON text is guaranteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
253 345
254This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 346This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
255 347
256=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 348=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
349
350=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
257 351
258If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 352If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
259optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 353optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
260 354
261If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 355If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
267Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 361Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
268 362
269 {"key" :"value"} 363 {"key" :"value"}
270 364
271=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 365=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
366
367=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
272 368
273If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 369If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
274optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 370optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
275and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 371and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
276members. 372members.
282 378
283Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 379Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
284 380
285 {"key": "value"} 381 {"key": "value"}
286 382
383=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
384
385=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
386
387If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
388extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
389affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
390JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
391parse application-specific files written by humans (configuration files,
392resource files etc.)
393
394If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<decode> will only accept
395valid JSON texts.
396
397Currently accepted extensions are:
398
399=over 4
400
401=item * list items can have an end-comma
402
403JSON I<separates> array elements and key-value pairs with commas. This
404can be annoying if you write JSON texts manually and want to be able to
405quickly append elements, so this extension accepts comma at the end of
406such items not just between them:
407
408 [
409 1,
410 2, <- this comma not normally allowed
411 ]
412 {
413 "k1": "v1",
414 "k2": "v2", <- this comma not normally allowed
415 }
416
417=item * shell-style '#'-comments
418
419Whenever JSON allows whitespace, shell-style comments are additionally
420allowed. They are terminated by the first carriage-return or line-feed
421character, after which more white-space and comments are allowed.
422
423 [
424 1, # this comment not allowed in JSON
425 # neither this one...
426 ]
427
428=back
429
287=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 430=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
431
432=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
288 433
289If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 434If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
290by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 435by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
291 436
292If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 437If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
293pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 438pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
294of the same script). 439of the same script).
295 440
296This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 441This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
297the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 442the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
298the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 443the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
299as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 444as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
300 445
301This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 446This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
302 447
303=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 448=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
449
450=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
304 451
305If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 452If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
306non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 453non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
307which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 454which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
308values instead of croaking. 455values instead of croaking.
318 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 465 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
319 => "Hello, World!" 466 => "Hello, World!"
320 467
321=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 468=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
322 469
470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
471
323If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 472If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
324barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 473barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
325B<convert_blessed> option will decide wether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 474B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
326disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the 475disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
327object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being 476object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
328encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>. 477encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
329 478
330If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 479If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
331exception when it encounters a blessed object. 480exception when it encounters a blessed object.
332 481
333=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 482=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
483
484=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
334 485
335If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 486If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
336blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 487blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
337on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 488on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context
338and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 489and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no
342The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 493The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
343returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 494returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
344way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 495way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
345(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 496(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
346methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 497methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
347usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with the C<to_json> 498usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
348function. 499function or method.
349 500
350This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 501This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the
351future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 502future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
352enabled by this setting. 503enabled by this setting.
353 504
354If C<$enable> is false, then the C<allow_blessed> setting will decide what 505If C<$enable> is false, then the C<allow_blessed> setting will decide what
355to do when a blessed object is found. 506to do when a blessed object is found.
356 507
508=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)])
509
510When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each
511time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to the
512newly-created hash. If the code references returns a single scalar (which
513need not be a reference), this value (i.e. a copy of that scalar to avoid
514aliasing) is inserted into the deserialised data structure. If it returns
515an empty list (NOTE: I<not> C<undef>, which is a valid scalar), the
516original deserialised hash will be inserted. This setting can slow down
517decoding considerably.
518
519When C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, any existing callback will
520be removed and C<decode> will not change the deserialised hash in any
521way.
522
523Example, convert all JSON objects into the integer 5:
524
525 my $js = JSON::XS->new->filter_json_object (sub { 5 });
526 # returns [5]
527 $js->decode ('[{}]')
528 # throw an exception because allow_nonref is not enabled
529 # so a lone 5 is not allowed.
530 $js->decode ('{"a":1, "b":2}');
531
532=item $json = $json->filter_json_single_key_object ($key [=> $coderef->($value)])
533
534Works remotely similar to C<filter_json_object>, but is only called for
535JSON objects having a single key named C<$key>.
536
537This C<$coderef> is called before the one specified via
538C<filter_json_object>, if any. It gets passed the single value in the JSON
539object. If it returns a single value, it will be inserted into the data
540structure. If it returns nothing (not even C<undef> but the empty list),
541the callback from C<filter_json_object> will be called next, as if no
542single-key callback were specified.
543
544If C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, the corresponding callback will be
545disabled. There can only ever be one callback for a given key.
546
547As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object>
548one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key
549objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially
550as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept
551as JSON gets (it's basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not
552support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks
553like a serialised Perl hash.
554
555Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or
556C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even
557things like C<__class_md5sum(classname)__>, to reduce the risk of clashing
558with real hashes.
559
560Example, decode JSON objects of the form C<< { "__widget__" => <id> } >>
561into the corresponding C<< $WIDGET{<id>} >> object:
562
563 # return whatever is in $WIDGET{5}:
564 JSON::XS
565 ->new
566 ->filter_json_single_key_object (__widget__ => sub {
567 $WIDGET{ $_[0] }
568 })
569 ->decode ('{"__widget__": 5')
570
571 # this can be used with a TO_JSON method in some "widget" class
572 # for serialisation to json:
573 sub WidgetBase::TO_JSON {
574 my ($self) = @_;
575
576 unless ($self->{id}) {
577 $self->{id} = ..get..some..id..;
578 $WIDGET{$self->{id}} = $self;
579 }
580
581 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
582 }
583
357=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 584=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
585
586=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
358 587
359Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 588Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
360strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 589strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
361C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 590C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
362memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many 591memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
380strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 609strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
381internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 610internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
382 611
383=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 612=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
384 613
614=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
615
385Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 616Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
386or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 617or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or
387higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 618higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will
388stop and croak at that point. 619stop and croak at that point.
389 620
400used, which is rarely useful. 631used, which is rarely useful.
401 632
402See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 633See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
403 634
404=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 635=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
636
637=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
405 638
406Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 639Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
407being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 640being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
408is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 641is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not
409attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 642attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
456vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most 689vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
457circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 690circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
458(what you put in comes out as something equivalent). 691(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
459 692
460For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions, 693For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
461lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl> 694lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppercase I<Perl>
462refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 695refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
463 696
464 697
465=head2 JSON -> PERL 698=head2 JSON -> PERL
466 699
467=over 4 700=over 4
468 701
469=item object 702=item object
470 703
471A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 704A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
472keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself). 705keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
473 706
474=item array 707=item array
475 708
476A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 709A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
477 710
481are represented by the same codepoints in the Perl string, so no manual 714are represented by the same codepoints in the Perl string, so no manual
482decoding is necessary. 715decoding is necessary.
483 716
484=item number 717=item number
485 718
486A JSON number becomes either an integer or numeric (floating point) 719A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
487scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On the 720string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On
488Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all the 721the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
489conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and might 722the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
490represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 723might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
724
725If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
726it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
727a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
728precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
729which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
730re-encoded toa JSON string).
731
732Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
733represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
734precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
735the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
491 736
492=item true, false 737=item true, false
493 738
494These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 739These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
495respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 740respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
496C<1> and C<0>. You can check wether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 741C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using
497the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 742the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function.
498 743
499=item null 744=item null
500 745
501A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 746A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
532Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 777Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
533exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 778exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
534C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 779C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
535also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 780also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
536 781
537 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 782 encode_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
538 783
539=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 784=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
540 785
541These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 786These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
542respectively. You cna alos use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 787respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
543 788
544=item blessed objects 789=item blessed objects
545 790
546Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 791Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
547underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 792C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
548change in future versions. 793how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an
794exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
795your own serialiser method.
549 796
550=item simple scalars 797=item simple scalars
551 798
552Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 799Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
553difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 800difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
554JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 801JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
555before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 802before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
556 803
557 # dump as number 804 # dump as number
558 to_json [2] # yields [2] 805 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
559 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 806 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
560 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 807 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
561 808
562 # used as string, so dump as string 809 # used as string, so dump as string
563 print $value; 810 print $value;
564 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 811 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
565 812
566 # undef becomes null 813 # undef becomes null
567 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 814 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
568 815
569You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it: 816You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
570 817
571 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 818 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
572 "$x"; # stringified 819 "$x"; # stringified
573 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 820 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
574 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 821 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
575 822
576You can force the type to be a number by numifying it: 823You can force the type to be a JSON number by numifying it:
577 824
578 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 825 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
579 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 826 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
580 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 827 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
581 828
582You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 829You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
583less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 830if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why its needed
831:).
832
833=back
834
835
836=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
837
838The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
839encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
840some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
841
842C<utf8> controls wether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
843by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
844control wether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
845codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
846some combinations make less sense than others.
847
848Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
849C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
850these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
851- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
852decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
853
854Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
855simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
856takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
857octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
858and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
859the same time, which can be confusing.
860
861=over 4
862
863=item C<utf8> flag disabled
864
865When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
866and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
867values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
868characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except
869"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
870respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
871funny/weird/dumb stuff).
872
873This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
874want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
875the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
876filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
877to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
878
879=item C<utf8> flag enabled
880
881If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
882characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
883expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
884of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
885that.
886
887The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
888will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded
889octet/binary string in Perl.
890
891=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
892
893With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
894with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
895characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
896
897If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
898character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
899Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
900ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
901the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
902
903If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
904regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
905C<\uXXXX> then before.
906
907Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
908encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
909encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
910a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
911
912Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
913values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
914to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
915Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
916
917So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
918they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
919
920The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
921as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
922
923The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
924with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
925as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
9268-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
927when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
928might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
929proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
584 930
585=back 931=back
586 932
587 933
588=head1 COMPARISON 934=head1 COMPARISON
593followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 939followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer
594from any of these problems or limitations. 940from any of these problems or limitations.
595 941
596=over 4 942=over 4
597 943
944=item JSON 2.xx
945
946A marvellous piece of engineering, this module either uses JSON::XS
947directly when available (so will be 100% compatible with it, including
948speed), or it uses JSON::PP, which is basically JSON::XS translated to
949Pure Perl, which should be 100% compatible with JSON::XS, just a bit
950slower.
951
952You cannot really lose by using this module, especially as it tries very
953hard to work even with ancient Perl versions, while JSON::XS does not.
954
598=item JSON 1.07 955=item JSON 1.07
599 956
600Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 957Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl).
601 958
602Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 959Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles Unicode values is
603undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing 960undocumented. One can get far by feeding it Unicode strings and doing
604en-/decoding oneself, but unicode escapes are not working properly). 961en-/decoding oneself, but Unicode escapes are not working properly).
605 962
606No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 963No round-tripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g.
607the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will 964the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will
608decode into the number 2. 965decode into the number 2.
609 966
610=item JSON::PC 0.01 967=item JSON::PC 0.01
611 968
612Very fast. 969Very fast.
613 970
614Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 971Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling.
615 972
616No roundtripping. 973No round-tripping.
617 974
618Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 975Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic
619values will make it croak). 976values will make it croak).
620 977
621Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 978Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}>
631Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 988Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much
632undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 989undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a
633single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to 990single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
634generate ASCII-only JSON texts). 991generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
635 992
636Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 993Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (Unicode
637escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 994escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to
638I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 995I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour).
639 996
640No roundtripping (simple cases work, but this depends on wether the scalar 997No round-tripping (simple cases work, but this depends on whether the scalar
641value was used in a numeric context or not). 998value was used in a numeric context or not).
642 999
643Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state. 1000Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state.
644 1001
645Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1002Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
646getting fixed). 1003getting fixed).
647 1004
648Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and 1005Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and
649return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security 1006return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security
650issue: imagine two banks transfering money between each other using 1007issue: imagine two banks transferring money between each other using
651JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money, 1008JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
652while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a 1009while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
653good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and 1010good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
654the transaction will still not succeed). 1011the transaction will still not succeed).
655 1012
656=item JSON::DWIW 0.04 1013=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
657 1014
658Very fast. Very natural. Very nice. 1015Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
659 1016
660Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes 1017Undocumented Unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
661still don't get parsed properly). 1018still don't get parsed properly).
662 1019
663Very inflexible. 1020Very inflexible.
664 1021
665No roundtripping. 1022No round-tripping.
666 1023
667Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys 1024Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
668result in nothing being output) 1025result in nothing being output)
669 1026
670Does not check input for validity. 1027Does not check input for validity.
672=back 1029=back
673 1030
674 1031
675=head2 JSON and YAML 1032=head2 JSON and YAML
676 1033
677You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1034You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
678however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1035hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
679no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1036so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1037JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1038cases.
680 1039
681If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1040If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
682algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1041algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
683 1042
684 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1043 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
685 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1044 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
686 1045
687This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1046This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
688YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1047YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
689lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1048lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1049unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are
690keys are noticably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1050noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that
1051you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP
1052(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in
1053strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON
1054generators might).
691 1055
692There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1056There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1057specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
693you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1058general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
694or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1059versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
695that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1060high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1061least expect it.
1062
1063=over 4
1064
1065=item (*)
1066
1067I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1068authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1069acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1070bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1071educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1072problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1073and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1074
1075In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1076clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1077proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1078that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1079educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1080real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1081point out that it isn't true.
1082
1083=back
696 1084
697 1085
698=head2 SPEED 1086=head2 SPEED
699 1087
700It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1088It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
701tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1089tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
702in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1090in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
703system. 1091system.
704 1092
705First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1093First comes a comparison between various modules using
706single-line JSON string: 1094a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1095L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
707 1096
708 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1097 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \
709 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1098 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]}
710 1099
711It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1100It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
713with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1102with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
714shrink). Higher is better: 1103shrink). Higher is better:
715 1104
716 module | encode | decode | 1105 module | encode | decode |
717 -----------|------------|------------| 1106 -----------|------------|------------|
718 JSON | 7645.468 | 4208.613 | 1107 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 |
719 JSON::DWIW | 40721.398 | 77101.176 | 1108 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 |
720 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 78251.940 | 1109 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 |
721 JSON::Syck | 22844.793 | 26479.192 | 1110 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 |
1111 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 |
722 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 199728.762 | 1112 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 |
723 JSON::XS/2 | 218453.333 | 192399.266 | 1113 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 |
724 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 192399.266 | 1114 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 |
725 Storable | 15779.925 | 14169.946 | 1115 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
726 -----------+------------+------------+ 1116 -----------+------------+------------+
727 1117
728That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1118That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
729about three times faster on decoding, and over fourty times faster 1119about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster
730than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1120than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares
731favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1121favourably to Storable for small amounts of data.
732 1122
733Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1123Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
734search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1124search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
735 1125
736 module | encode | decode | 1126 module | encode | decode |
737 -----------|------------|------------| 1127 -----------|------------|------------|
738 JSON | 254.685 | 37.665 | 1128 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 |
739 JSON::DWIW | 843.343 | 1049.731 | 1129 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 |
740 JSON::PC | 3602.116 | 2307.352 | 1130 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
1131 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 |
741 JSON::Syck | 505.107 | 787.899 | 1132 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 |
742 JSON::XS | 5747.196 | 3690.220 | 1133 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 |
743 JSON::XS/2 | 3968.121 | 3676.634 | 1134 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 |
744 JSON::XS/3 | 6105.246 | 3662.508 | 1135 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 |
745 Storable | 4417.337 | 5285.161 | 1136 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 |
746 -----------+------------+------------+ 1137 -----------+------------+------------+
747 1138
748Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1139Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
749decodes faster). 1140decodes faster).
750 1141
751On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules 1142On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
752(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1143(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
753will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse 1144will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
754to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1145to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
755comparison table for that case. 1146comparison table for that case.
756 1147
757 1148
758=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1149=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
764any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am 1155any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
765trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1156trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
766 1157
767Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should 1158Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
768limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your 1159limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your
769resources run out, thats just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that 1160resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that
770can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is 1161can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is
771usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode 1162usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode
772it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON 1163it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON
773text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you 1164text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you
774might want to check the size before you accept the string. 1165might want to check the size before you accept the string.
775 1166
776Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1167Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
777arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1168arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
778machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1169machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
779only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1170only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
780to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1171to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
781conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1172conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
782has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1173has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
783C<max_depth> method. 1174C<max_depth> method.
784 1175
785And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1176Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
786of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1177case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
787though... 1178
1179Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1180structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1181information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1182will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
788 1183
789If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1184If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
790by javascript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1185by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
791L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see wether 1186L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether
792you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1187you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser
793design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1188design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major
794browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1189browser developers care only for features, not about getting security
795right). 1190right).
1191
1192
1193=head1 THREADS
1194
1195This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1196plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
1197horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
1198process simulations - use fork, its I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1199
1200(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
796 1201
797 1202
798=head1 BUGS 1203=head1 BUGS
799 1204
800While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1205While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
801not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1206not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is
802still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1207still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they
803will be fixed swiftly, though. 1208will be fixed swiftly, though.
1209
1210Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1211service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
804 1212
805=cut 1213=cut
806 1214
807our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1215our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };
808our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1216our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };

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