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Revision 1.61 by root, Wed Sep 12 17:42:36 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.110 by root, Sun Jul 20 17:55:19 2008 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast 3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4
5=encoding utf-8
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 19
15 # OO-interface 20 # OO-interface
16 21
17 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref; 22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
18 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar); 23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
19 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text); 24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
20 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
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 34=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 35
23This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
24primary 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
25I<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
42overridden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheriting constructor
43and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the
44compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS
45gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need and doesn't
46require a C compiler when that is a problem.
26 47
27As 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
28to 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
29modules, 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
30their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
37 58
38=head2 FEATURES 59=head2 FEATURES
39 60
40=over 4 61=over 4
41 62
42=item * correct unicode handling 63=item * correct Unicode handling
43 64
44This 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
45it does so. 66so, and even documents what "correct" means.
46 67
47=item * round-trip integrity 68=item * round-trip integrity
48 69
49When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 70When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
50by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 71by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
51(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
52like a number). 73like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING
74section below to learn about those.
53 75
54=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 76=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
55 77
56There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 78There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
57and 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
58feature). 80feature).
59 81
60=item * fast 82=item * fast
61 83
62Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 84Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
63of speed, too. 85this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
64 86
65=item * simple to use 87=item * simple to use
66 88
67This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO 89This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
68interface. 90oriented interface interface.
69 91
70=item * reasonably versatile output formats 92=item * reasonably versatile output formats
71 93
72You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 94You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
73possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 95possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
74(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
75unicode 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
76stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 98stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
77 99
78=back 100=back
79 101
80=cut 102=cut
81 103
82package JSON::XS; 104package JSON::XS;
83 105
106no warnings;
84use strict; 107use strict;
85 108
86our $VERSION = '1.5'; 109our $VERSION = '2.2222';
87our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 110our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
88 111
89our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 112our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
113
114sub to_json($) {
115 require Carp;
116 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");
117}
118
119sub from_json($) {
120 require Carp;
121 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");
122}
90 123
91use Exporter; 124use Exporter;
92use XSLoader; 125use XSLoader;
93 126
94=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 127=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
95 128
96The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 129The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
97exported by default: 130exported by default:
98 131
99=over 4 132=over 4
100 133
101=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 134=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
102 135
103Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to 136Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
104a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains 137(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
105octets only). Croaks on error.
106 138
107This function call is functionally identical to: 139This function call is functionally identical to:
108 140
109 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 141 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
110 142
111except being faster. 143Except being faster.
112 144
113=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 145=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
114 146
115The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to 147The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
116parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting simple 148to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
117scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 149reference. Croaks on error.
118 150
119This function call is functionally identical to: 151This function call is functionally identical to:
120 152
121 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 153 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
122 154
123except being faster. 155Except being faster.
124 156
125=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar 157=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
126 158
127Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or 159Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
128JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively 160JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
132Perl. 164Perl.
133 165
134=back 166=back
135 167
136 168
169=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
170
171Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on
172how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs.
173
174=over 4
175
176=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
177
178This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
179Perl string - very natural.
180
181=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
182
183... until you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or
184printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
185string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
186on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
187data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
188
189=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
190encoding of your string.
191
192Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in
193XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only
194confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string
195is encoded. You can have Unicode strings with that flag set, with that
196flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag
197clear. Other possibilities exist, too.
198
199If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
200exist.
201
202=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
203validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
204
205If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
206Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
207
208=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
209
210It's a fact. Learn to live with it.
211
212=back
213
214I hope this helps :)
215
216
137=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 217=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
138 218
139The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 219The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
140decoding style, within the limits of supported formats. 220decoding style, within the limits of supported formats.
141 221
152 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 232 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
153 => {"a": [1, 2]} 233 => {"a": [1, 2]}
154 234
155=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 235=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
156 236
237=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
238
157If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 239If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
158generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 240generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
159unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 241Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
160single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 242single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
161as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native 243as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native
162unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string, 244Unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string,
163or any other superset of ASCII. 245or any other superset of ASCII.
164 246
165If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 247If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
166characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 248characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
167in a faster and more compact format. 249in a faster and more compact format.
168 250
251See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
252document.
253
169The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be 254The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be
170transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not 255transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not
171contain any 8 bit characters. 256contain any 8 bit characters.
172 257
173 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 258 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
174 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 259 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
175 260
176=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 261=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
177 262
263=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
264
178If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 265If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
179the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 266the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
180outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 267outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
181latin1-encoded JSON text or a native unicode string. The C<decode> method 268latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
182will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 269will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
183expects unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 270expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
184 271
185If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 272If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
186characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. 273characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags.
274
275See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
276document.
187 277
188The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON 278The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON
189text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded 279text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded
190size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 280size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
191in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 281in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
192transfering), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when 282transferring), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when
193you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently 283you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently
194in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders. 284in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders.
195 285
196 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 286 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
197 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 287 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
198 288
199=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 289=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
290
291=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
200 292
201If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 293If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
202the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 294the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
203C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 295C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
204note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 296note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
205range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 297range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
206versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 298versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
207and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 299and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
208 300
209If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 301If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
210string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 302string as a (non-encoded) Unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
211unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 303Unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
212to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 304to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
305
306See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
307document.
213 308
214Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 309Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
215 310
216 use Encode; 311 use Encode;
217 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 312 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
238 ] 333 ]
239 } 334 }
240 335
241=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 336=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
242 337
338=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
339
243If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 340If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
244format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 341format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
245into its own line, identing them properly. 342into its own line, indenting them properly.
246 343
247If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 344If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
248resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 345resulting JSON text is guaranteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
249 346
250This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 347This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
251 348
252=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 349=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
350
351=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
253 352
254If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 353If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
255optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 354optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
256 355
257If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 356If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
263Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 362Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
264 363
265 {"key" :"value"} 364 {"key" :"value"}
266 365
267=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 366=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
367
368=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
268 369
269If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 370If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
270optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 371optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
271and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 372and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
272members. 373members.
279Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 380Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
280 381
281 {"key": "value"} 382 {"key": "value"}
282 383
283=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable]) 384=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
385
386=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
284 387
285If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 388If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
286extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 389extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
287affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid 390affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
288JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to 391JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
325 428
326=back 429=back
327 430
328=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 431=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
329 432
433=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
434
330If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 435If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
331by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 436by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
332 437
333If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 438If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
334pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 439pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
335of the same script). 440of the same script).
336 441
337This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 442This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
338the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 443the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
339the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 444the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
340as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 445as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
341 446
342This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 447This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
343 448
344=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 449=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
450
451=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
345 452
346If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 453If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
347non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 454non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
348which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 455which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
349values instead of croaking. 456values instead of croaking.
357resulting in an invalid JSON text: 464resulting in an invalid JSON text:
358 465
359 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 466 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
360 => "Hello, World!" 467 => "Hello, World!"
361 468
469=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
470
471=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
472
473If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode> will I<not> throw an
474exception when it encounters values it cannot represent in JSON (for
475example, filehandles) but instead will encode a JSON C<null> value. Note
476that blessed objects are not included here and are handled separately by
477c<allow_nonref>.
478
479If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
480exception when it encounters anything it cannot encode as JSON.
481
482This option does not affect C<decode> in any way, and it is recommended to
483leave it off unless you know your communications partner.
484
362=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 485=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
486
487=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
363 488
364If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 489If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
365barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 490barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
366B<convert_blessed> option will decide wether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 491B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
367disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the 492disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
368object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being 493object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
369encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>. 494encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
370 495
371If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 496If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
372exception when it encounters a blessed object. 497exception when it encounters a blessed object.
373 498
374=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 499=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
500
501=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
375 502
376If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 503If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
377blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 504blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
378on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 505on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context
379and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 506and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no
383The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 510The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
384returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 511returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
385way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 512way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
386(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 513(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
387methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 514methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
388usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with the C<to_json> 515usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
389function. 516function or method.
390 517
391This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 518This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the
392future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 519future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
393enabled by this setting. 520enabled by this setting.
394 521
436 563
437As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object> 564As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object>
438one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key 565one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key
439objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially 566objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially
440as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept 567as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept
441as JSON gets (its basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not 568as JSON gets (it's basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not
442support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks 569support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks
443like a serialised Perl hash. 570like a serialised Perl hash.
444 571
445Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or 572Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or
446C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even 573C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even
470 597
471 { __widget__ => $self->{id} } 598 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
472 } 599 }
473 600
474=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 601=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
602
603=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
475 604
476Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 605Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
477strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 606strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
478C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 607C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
479memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many 608memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
497strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 626strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
498internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 627internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
499 628
500=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 629=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
501 630
631=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
632
502Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 633Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
503or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 634or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in JSON text or a Perl
504higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 635data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
505stop and croak at that point. 636point.
506 637
507Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 638Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
508needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[> 639needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
509characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 640characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
510given character in a string. 641given character in a string.
511 642
512Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 643Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
513that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 644that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
514 645
515The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next highest power
516of two. If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be 646If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
517used, which is rarely useful. 647is rarely useful.
648
649Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
650been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
651crashing.
518 652
519See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 653See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
520 654
521=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 655=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
656
657=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
522 658
523Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 659Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
524being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 660being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
525is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 661is called on a string that is longer then this many bytes, it will not
526attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 662attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
527effect on C<encode> (yet). 663effect on C<encode> (yet).
528 664
529The argument to C<max_size> will be rounded up to the next B<highest> 665If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same as when
530power of two (so may be more than requested). If no argument is given, the 666C<0> is specified).
531limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
532 667
533See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 668See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
534 669
535=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 670=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
536 671
565 => ([], 3) 700 => ([], 3)
566 701
567=back 702=back
568 703
569 704
705=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
706
707In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
708texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
709Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
710JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
711a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
712using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but
713is much more efficient (and can be implemented with a minimum of method
714calls).
715
716JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
717has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
718truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
719early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect parenthese
720mismatches. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
721soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
722to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
723parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
724
725The following methods implement this incremental parser.
726
727=over 4
728
729=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
730
731This is the central parsing function. It can both append new text and
732extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these
733functions are optional).
734
735If C<$string> is given, then this string is appended to the already
736existing JSON fragment stored in the C<$json> object.
737
738After that, if the function is called in void context, it will simply
739return without doing anything further. This can be used to add more text
740in as many chunks as you want.
741
742If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
743exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
744object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
745this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
746C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of
747using the method.
748
749And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
750from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
751otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
752objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
753an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
754case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
755lost.
756
757=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
758
759This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
760is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
761C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
762all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it.
763although in simple tests it might actually work, it I<will> fail under
764real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this
765method before having parsed anything.
766
767This function is useful in two cases: a) finding the trailing text after a
768JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
769(such as commas).
770
771=item $json->incr_skip
772
773This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove the
774parsed text from the input buffer. This is useful after C<incr_parse>
775died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser state is left
776unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the parse state.
777
778=item $json->incr_reset
779
780This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
781it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
782
783This is useful if you want ot repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
784ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
785each successful decode.
786
787=back
788
789=head2 LIMITATIONS
790
791All options that affect decoding are supported, except
792C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to
793work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate
794them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true
795for JSON numbers, however.
796
797For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the
798start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation
799of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS
800takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
801
802=head2 EXAMPLES
803
804Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that
805works similarly to C<decode_prefix>: We want to decode the JSON object at
806the start of a string and identify the portion after the JSON object:
807
808 my $text = "[1,2,3] hello";
809
810 my $json = new JSON::XS;
811
812 my $obj = $json->incr_parse ($text)
813 or die "expected JSON object or array at beginning of string";
814
815 my $tail = $json->incr_text;
816 # $tail now contains " hello"
817
818Easy, isn't it?
819
820Now for a more complicated example: Imagine a hypothetical protocol where
821you read some requests from a TCP stream, and each request is a JSON
822array, without any separation between them (in fact, it is often useful to
823use newlines as "separators", as these get interpreted as whitespace at
824the start of the JSON text, which makes it possible to test said protocol
825with C<telnet>...).
826
827Here is how you'd do it (it is trivial to write this in an event-based
828manner):
829
830 my $json = new JSON::XS;
831
832 # read some data from the socket
833 while (sysread $socket, my $buf, 4096) {
834
835 # split and decode as many requests as possible
836 for my $request ($json->incr_parse ($buf)) {
837 # act on the $request
838 }
839 }
840
841Another complicated example: Assume you have a string with JSON objects
842or arrays, all separated by (optional) comma characters (e.g. C<[1],[2],
843[3]>). To parse them, we have to skip the commas between the JSON texts,
844and here is where the lvalue-ness of C<incr_text> comes in useful:
845
846 my $text = "[1],[2], [3]";
847 my $json = new JSON::XS;
848
849 # void context, so no parsing done
850 $json->incr_parse ($text);
851
852 # now extract as many objects as possible. note the
853 # use of scalar context so incr_text can be called.
854 while (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
855 # do something with $obj
856
857 # now skip the optional comma
858 $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* , //x;
859 }
860
861Now lets go for a very complex example: Assume that you have a gigantic
862JSON array-of-objects, many gigabytes in size, and you want to parse it,
863but you cannot load it into memory fully (this has actually happened in
864the real world :).
865
866Well, you lost, you have to implement your own JSON parser. But JSON::XS
867can still help you: You implement a (very simple) array parser and let
868JSON decode the array elements, which are all full JSON objects on their
869own (this wouldn't work if the array elements could be JSON numbers, for
870example):
871
872 my $json = new JSON::XS;
873
874 # open the monster
875 open my $fh, "<bigfile.json"
876 or die "bigfile: $!";
877
878 # first parse the initial "["
879 for (;;) {
880 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
881 or die "read error: $!";
882 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
883
884 # Exit the loop once we found and removed(!) the initial "[".
885 # In essence, we are (ab-)using the $json object as a simple scalar
886 # we append data to.
887 last if $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* \[ //x;
888 }
889
890 # now we have the skipped the initial "[", so continue
891 # parsing all the elements.
892 for (;;) {
893 # in this loop we read data until we got a single JSON object
894 for (;;) {
895 if (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
896 # do something with $obj
897 last;
898 }
899
900 # add more data
901 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
902 or die "read error: $!";
903 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
904 }
905
906 # in this loop we read data until we either found and parsed the
907 # separating "," between elements, or the final "]"
908 for (;;) {
909 # first skip whitespace
910 $json->incr_text =~ s/^\s*//;
911
912 # if we find "]", we are done
913 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^\]//) {
914 print "finished.\n";
915 exit;
916 }
917
918 # if we find ",", we can continue with the next element
919 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^,//) {
920 last;
921 }
922
923 # if we find anything else, we have a parse error!
924 if (length $json->incr_text) {
925 die "parse error near ", $json->incr_text;
926 }
927
928 # else add more data
929 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
930 or die "read error: $!";
931 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
932 }
933
934This is a complex example, but most of the complexity comes from the fact
935that we are trying to be correct (bear with me if I am wrong, I never ran
936the above example :).
937
938
939
570=head1 MAPPING 940=head1 MAPPING
571 941
572This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and 942This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and
573vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most 943vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
574circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 944circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
575(what you put in comes out as something equivalent). 945(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
576 946
577For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions, 947For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
578lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl> 948lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppercase I<Perl>
579refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 949refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
580 950
581 951
582=head2 JSON -> PERL 952=head2 JSON -> PERL
583 953
584=over 4 954=over 4
585 955
586=item object 956=item object
587 957
588A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 958A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
589keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself). 959keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
590 960
591=item array 961=item array
592 962
593A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 963A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
594 964
602 972
603A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or 973A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
604string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On 974string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On
605the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all 975the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
606the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and 976the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
607might represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 977might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
608 978
609If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 979If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
610it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 980it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
611a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 981a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
612precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value. 982precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
983which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
984re-encoded toa JSON string).
613 985
614Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 986Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
615represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 987represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
616precision. 988precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
617 989the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
618This might create round-tripping problems as numbers might become strings,
619but as Perl is typeless there is no other way to do it.
620 990
621=item true, false 991=item true, false
622 992
623These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 993These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
624respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 994respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
625C<1> and C<0>. You can check wether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 995C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using
626the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 996the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function.
627 997
628=item null 998=item null
629 999
630A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 1000A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
661Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1031Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
662exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1032exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
663C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1033C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
664also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 1034also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
665 1035
666 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1036 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
667 1037
668=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1038=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
669 1039
670These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1040These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
671respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1041respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
672 1042
673=item blessed objects 1043=item blessed objects
674 1044
675Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 1045Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
676underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 1046C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
677change in future versions. 1047how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an
1048exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
1049your own serialiser method.
678 1050
679=item simple scalars 1051=item simple scalars
680 1052
681Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1053Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
682difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1054difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
683JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 1055JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
684before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 1056before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
685 1057
686 # dump as number 1058 # dump as number
687 to_json [2] # yields [2] 1059 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
688 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 1060 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
689 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 1061 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
690 1062
691 # used as string, so dump as string 1063 # used as string, so dump as string
692 print $value; 1064 print $value;
693 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 1065 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
694 1066
695 # undef becomes null 1067 # undef becomes null
696 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 1068 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
697 1069
698You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it: 1070You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
699 1071
700 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 1072 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
701 "$x"; # stringified 1073 "$x"; # stringified
702 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 1074 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
703 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 1075 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
704 1076
705You can force the type to be a number by numifying it: 1077You can force the type to be a JSON number by numifying it:
706 1078
707 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 1079 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
708 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 1080 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
709 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 1081 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
710 1082
711You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 1083You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
712less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 1084if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1085:).
713 1086
714=back 1087=back
715 1088
716 1089
717=head1 COMPARISON 1090=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
718 1091
719As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 1092The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
720JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the 1093encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
721problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules, 1094some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
722followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 1095
723from any of these problems or limitations. 1096C<utf8> controls whether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
1097by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
1098control whether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
1099codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
1100some combinations make less sense than others.
1101
1102Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
1103C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
1104these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
1105- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
1106decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
1107
1108Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
1109simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
1110takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
1111octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
1112and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
1113the same time, which can be confusing.
724 1114
725=over 4 1115=over 4
726 1116
727=item JSON 1.07 1117=item C<utf8> flag disabled
728 1118
729Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 1119When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1120and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1121values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1122characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except
1123"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1124respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1125funny/weird/dumb stuff).
730 1126
731Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 1127This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
732undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing 1128want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
733en-/decoding oneself, but unicode escapes are not working properly). 1129the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
1130filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
1131to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
734 1132
735No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 1133=item C<utf8> flag enabled
736the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will
737decode into the number 2.
738 1134
739=item JSON::PC 0.01 1135If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
1136characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
1137expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
1138of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
1139that.
740 1140
741Very fast. 1141The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
1142will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded
1143octet/binary string in Perl.
742 1144
743Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 1145=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
744 1146
745No roundtripping. 1147With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
1148with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
1149characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
746 1150
747Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 1151If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
748values will make it croak). 1152character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
1153Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
1154ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
1155the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
749 1156
750Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 1157If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
751which is not a valid JSON text. 1158regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
1159C<\uXXXX> then before.
752 1160
753Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1161Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
754getting fixed). 1162encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
1163encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
1164a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
755 1165
756=item JSON::Syck 0.21 1166Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
1167values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
1168to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
1169Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
757 1170
758Very buggy (often crashes). 1171So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
1172they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
759 1173
760Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 1174The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
761undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 1175as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
762single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
763generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
764 1176
765Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 1177The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
766escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 1178with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
767I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 1179as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
768 11808-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
769No roundtripping (simple cases work, but this depends on wether the scalar 1181when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
770value was used in a numeric context or not). 1182might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
771 1183proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
772Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state.
773
774Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
775getting fixed).
776
777Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and
778return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security
779issue: imagine two banks transfering money between each other using
780JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
781while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
782good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
783the transaction will still not succeed).
784
785=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
786
787Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
788
789Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
790still don't get parsed properly).
791
792Very inflexible.
793
794No roundtripping.
795
796Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
797result in nothing being output)
798
799Does not check input for validity.
800 1184
801=back 1185=back
802 1186
803 1187
804=head2 JSON and YAML 1188=head2 JSON and YAML
805 1189
806You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1190You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
807however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1191hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
808no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1192so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1193JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1194cases.
809 1195
810If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1196If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
811algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1197algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
812 1198
813 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1199 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
814 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1200 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
815 1201
816This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1202This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
817YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1203YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
818lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1204lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1205unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are
819keys are noticably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1206noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that
1207you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP
1208(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in
1209strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON
1210generators might).
820 1211
821There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1212There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1213specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
822you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1214general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
823or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1215versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
824that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1216high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1217least expect it.
1218
1219=over 4
1220
1221=item (*)
1222
1223I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1224authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1225acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1226bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1227educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1228problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1229and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1230
1231In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1232clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1233proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1234that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1235educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1236real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1237point out that it isn't true.
1238
1239=back
825 1240
826 1241
827=head2 SPEED 1242=head2 SPEED
828 1243
829It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1244It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
830tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1245tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
831in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1246in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
832system. 1247system.
833 1248
834First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1249First comes a comparison between various modules using
835single-line JSON string: 1250a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1251L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
836 1252
837 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1253 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
838 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1254 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1255 true, false]}
839 1256
840It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1257It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
841the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1258the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
842with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1259with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
843shrink). Higher is better: 1260shrink). Higher is better:
844 1261
845 Storable | 15779.925 | 14169.946 |
846 -----------+------------+------------+
847 module | encode | decode | 1262 module | encode | decode |
848 -----------|------------|------------| 1263 -----------|------------|------------|
849 JSON | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1264 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 |
850 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1265 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 |
851 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1266 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 |
852 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1267 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 |
853 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1268 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 |
854 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1269 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 |
856 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1271 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 |
857 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 | 1272 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
858 -----------+------------+------------+ 1273 -----------+------------+------------+
859 1274
860That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1275That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
861about three times faster on decoding, and over fourty times faster 1276about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster
862than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1277than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares
863favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1278favourably to Storable for small amounts of data.
864 1279
865Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1280Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
866search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1281search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
867 1282
868 module | encode | decode | 1283 module | encode | decode |
869 -----------|------------|------------| 1284 -----------|------------|------------|
870 JSON | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1285 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 |
871 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1286 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 |
872 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 | 1287 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
873 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1288 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 |
874 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1289 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 |
875 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1290 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 |
879 -----------+------------+------------+ 1294 -----------+------------+------------+
880 1295
881Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1296Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
882decodes faster). 1297decodes faster).
883 1298
884On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules 1299On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
885(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1300(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
886will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse 1301will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
887to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1302to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
888comparison table for that case. 1303comparison table for that case.
889 1304
890 1305
891=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1306=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
897any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am 1312any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
898trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1313trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
899 1314
900Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should 1315Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
901limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your 1316limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your
902resources run out, thats just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that 1317resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that
903can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is 1318can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is
904usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode 1319usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode
905it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON 1320it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON
906text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you 1321text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you
907might want to check the size before you accept the string. 1322might want to check the size before you accept the string.
908 1323
909Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1324Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
910arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1325arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
911machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1326machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
912only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1327only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
913to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1328to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
914conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1329conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
915has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1330has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
916C<max_depth> method. 1331C<max_depth> method.
917 1332
918And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1333Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
919of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1334case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
920though... 1335
1336Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1337structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1338information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1339will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
921 1340
922If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1341If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
923by javascript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1342by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
924L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see wether 1343L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether
925you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1344you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser
926design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1345design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major
927browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1346browser developers care only for features, not about getting security
928right). 1347right).
929 1348
930 1349
1350=head1 THREADS
1351
1352This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1353plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
1354horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
1355process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1356
1357(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1358
1359
931=head1 BUGS 1360=head1 BUGS
932 1361
933While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1362While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
934not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1363not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
935still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1364keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
936will be fixed swiftly, though. 1365
1366Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1367service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
937 1368
938=cut 1369=cut
939 1370
940our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1371our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };
941our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1372our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };
958 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 }, 1389 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
959 fallback => 1; 1390 fallback => 1;
960 1391
9611; 13921;
962 1393
1394=head1 SEE ALSO
1395
1396The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1397
963=head1 AUTHOR 1398=head1 AUTHOR
964 1399
965 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1400 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
966 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1401 http://home.schmorp.de/
967 1402

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