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Revision 1.65 by root, Sat Oct 13 01:55:31 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.104 by root, Thu May 8 15:33:06 2008 UTC

1=head1 NAME
2
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4
1=encoding utf-8 5=encoding utf-8
2
3=head1 NAME
4
5JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
6 6
7JSON::XS - 正しくて高速な JSON シリアライザ/デシリアライザ 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) 8 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html)
9 9
10=head1 SYNOPSIS 10=head1 SYNOPSIS
12 use JSON::XS; 12 use JSON::XS;
13 13
14 # exported functions, they croak on error 14 # exported functions, they croak on error
15 # and expect/generate UTF-8 15 # and expect/generate UTF-8
16 16
17 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref; 17 $utf8_encoded_json_text = encode_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
18 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text; 18 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = decode_json $utf8_encoded_json_text;
19 19
20 # OO-interface 20 # OO-interface
21 21
22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref; 22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar); 23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text); 24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
25 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
26=head1 DESCRIPTION 34=head1 DESCRIPTION
27 35
28This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
29primary 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
30I<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.
31 47
32As 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
33to 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
34modules, 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
35their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
42 58
43=head2 FEATURES 59=head2 FEATURES
44 60
45=over 4 61=over 4
46 62
47=item * correct unicode handling 63=item * correct Unicode handling
48 64
49This 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
50it does so. 66so, and even documents what "correct" means.
51 67
52=item * round-trip integrity 68=item * round-trip integrity
53 69
54When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 70When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported
55by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 71by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
56(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
57like a number). 73like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING
74section below to learn about those.
58 75
59=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 76=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
60 77
61There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 78There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
62and 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
63feature). 80feature).
64 81
65=item * fast 82=item * fast
66 83
67Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 84Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
68of speed, too. 85this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
69 86
70=item * simple to use 87=item * simple to use
71 88
72This 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
73interface. 90oriented interface interface.
74 91
75=item * reasonably versatile output formats 92=item * reasonably versatile output formats
76 93
77You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 94You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
78possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 95possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format
79(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
80unicode 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
81stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 98stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
82 99
83=back 100=back
84 101
85=cut 102=cut
86 103
87package JSON::XS; 104package JSON::XS;
88 105
89use strict; 106use strict;
90 107
91our $VERSION = '1.51'; 108our $VERSION = '2.2';
92our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 109our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
93 110
94our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 111our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
112
113sub to_json($) {
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}
95 122
96use Exporter; 123use Exporter;
97use XSLoader; 124use XSLoader;
98 125
99=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 126=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
100 127
101The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 128The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
102exported by default: 129exported by default:
103 130
104=over 4 131=over 4
105 132
106=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 133=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
107 134
108Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string 135Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
109(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error. 136(that is, the string contains octets 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 146The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
120to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting 147to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
121reference. 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
145 172
146=over 4 173=over 4
147 174
148=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255. 175=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
149 176
150This enables you to store unicode characters as single characters in a 177This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
151Perl string - very natural. 178Perl string - very natural.
152 179
153=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings. 180=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
154 181
155Unless you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or printing 182... until you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or
156the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your string as 183printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
157locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending on various 184string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
158settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your data, it is 185on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
159I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical metadata. 186data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
160 187
161=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the 188=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
162encoding of your string. 189encoding of your string.
163 190
164Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in 191Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in
165XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only 192XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only
166confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string 193confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string
167is encoded. You can have unicode strings with that flag set, with that 194is encoded. You can have Unicode strings with that flag set, with that
168flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag 195flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag
169clear. Other possibilities exist, too. 196clear. Other possibilities exist, too.
170 197
171If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't 198If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
172exist. 199exist.
177If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a 204If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
178Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string. 205Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
179 206
180=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string. 207=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
181 208
182Its a fact. Learn to live with it. 209It's a fact. Learn to live with it.
183 210
184=back 211=back
185 212
186I hope this helps :) 213I hope this helps :)
187 214
204 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]})
205 => {"a": [1, 2]} 232 => {"a": [1, 2]}
206 233
207=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 234=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
208 235
236=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
237
209If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 238If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
210generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 239generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
211unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 240Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
212single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 241single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
213as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native 242as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native
214unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string, 243Unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string,
215or any other superset of ASCII. 244or any other superset of ASCII.
216 245
217If C<$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
218characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 247characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
219in a faster and more compact format. 248in a faster and more compact format.
220 249
250See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
251document.
252
221The 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
222transmitted 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
223contain any 8 bit characters. 255contain any 8 bit characters.
224 256
225 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 257 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
226 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 258 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
227 259
228=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 260=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
229 261
262=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
263
230If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 264If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
231the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 265the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
232outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 266outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
233latin1-encoded JSON text or a native unicode string. The C<decode> method 267latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
234will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 268will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
235expects unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 269expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
236 270
237If C<$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
238characters 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.
239 276
240The 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
241text, 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
242size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 279size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
243in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 280in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
244transfering), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when 281transferring), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when
245you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently 282you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently
246in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders. 283in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders.
247 284
248 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 285 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
249 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 286 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
250 287
251=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 288=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
289
290=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
252 291
253If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 292If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
254the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 293the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
255C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 294C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
256note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 295note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
257range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 296range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
258versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 297versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
259and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 298and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
260 299
261If C<$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
262string 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
263unicode 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
264to 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.
265 307
266Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 308Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
267 309
268 use Encode; 310 use Encode;
269 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 311 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
290 ] 332 ]
291 } 333 }
292 334
293=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 335=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
294 336
337=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
338
295If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 339If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
296format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 340format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
297into its own line, identing them properly. 341into its own line, indenting them properly.
298 342
299If C<$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
300resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 344resulting JSON text is guaranteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
301 345
302This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 346This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
303 347
304=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 348=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
349
350=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
305 351
306If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 352If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
307optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 353optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
308 354
309If C<$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
315Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 361Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
316 362
317 {"key" :"value"} 363 {"key" :"value"}
318 364
319=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 365=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
366
367=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
320 368
321If C<$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
322optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 370optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
323and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 371and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
324members. 372members.
331Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 379Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
332 380
333 {"key": "value"} 381 {"key": "value"}
334 382
335=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable]) 383=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
384
385=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
336 386
337If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 387If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
338extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 388extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
339affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid 389affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
340JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to 390JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
377 427
378=back 428=back
379 429
380=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 430=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
381 431
432=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
433
382If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 434If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
383by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 435by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
384 436
385If C<$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
386pairs 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
387of the same script). 439of the same script).
388 440
389This 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
390the 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,
391the 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,
392as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 444as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
393 445
394This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 446This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
395 447
396=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 448=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
449
450=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
397 451
398If C<$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
399non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 453non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
400which 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
401values instead of croaking. 455values instead of croaking.
409resulting in an invalid JSON text: 463resulting in an invalid JSON text:
410 464
411 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 465 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
412 => "Hello, World!" 466 => "Hello, World!"
413 467
468=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
469
470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
471
472If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode> will I<not> throw an
473exception when it encounters values it cannot represent in JSON (for
474example, filehandles) but instead will encode a JSON C<null> value. Note
475that blessed objects are not included here and are handled separately by
476c<allow_nonref>.
477
478If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
479exception when it encounters anything it cannot encode as JSON.
480
481This option does not affect C<decode> in any way, and it is recommended to
482leave it off unless you know your communications partner.
483
414=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 484=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
485
486=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
415 487
416If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 488If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
417barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 489barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
418B<convert_blessed> option will decide wether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 490B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
419disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the 491disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
420object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being 492object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
421encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>. 493encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
422 494
423If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 495If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
424exception when it encounters a blessed object. 496exception when it encounters a blessed object.
425 497
426=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 498=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
499
500=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
427 501
428If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 502If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
429blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 503blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
430on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 504on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context
431and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 505and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no
435The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 509The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
436returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 510returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
437way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 511way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
438(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 512(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
439methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 513methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
440usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with the C<to_json> 514usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
441function. 515function or method.
442 516
443This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 517This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the
444future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 518future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
445enabled by this setting. 519enabled by this setting.
446 520
488 562
489As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object> 563As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object>
490one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key 564one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key
491objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially 565objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially
492as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept 566as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept
493as JSON gets (its basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not 567as JSON gets (it's basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not
494support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks 568support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks
495like a serialised Perl hash. 569like a serialised Perl hash.
496 570
497Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or 571Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or
498C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even 572C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even
522 596
523 { __widget__ => $self->{id} } 597 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
524 } 598 }
525 599
526=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 600=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
601
602=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
527 603
528Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 604Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
529strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 605strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
530C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 606C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
531memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many 607memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
549strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 625strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
550internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 626internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
551 627
552=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 628=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
553 629
630=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
631
554Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 632Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
555or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 633or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in JSON text or a Perl
556higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 634data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
557stop and croak at that point. 635point.
558 636
559Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 637Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
560needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[> 638needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
561characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 639characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
562given character in a string. 640given character in a string.
563 641
564Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 642Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
565that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 643that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
566 644
567The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next highest power
568of two. If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be 645If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
569used, which is rarely useful. 646is rarely useful.
647
648Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
649been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
650crashing.
570 651
571See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 652See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
572 653
573=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 654=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
655
656=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
574 657
575Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 658Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
576being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 659being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
577is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 660is called on a string that is longer then this many bytes, it will not
578attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 661attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
579effect on C<encode> (yet). 662effect on C<encode> (yet).
580 663
581The argument to C<max_size> will be rounded up to the next B<highest> 664If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same as when
582power of two (so may be more than requested). If no argument is given, the 665C<0> is specified).
583limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
584 666
585See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 667See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
586 668
587=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 669=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
588 670
617 => ([], 3) 699 => ([], 3)
618 700
619=back 701=back
620 702
621 703
704=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
705
706[This section and the API it details is still EXPERIMENTAL]
707
708In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
709texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
710Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
711JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
712a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
713using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but is
714much more efficient (JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text
715once it is sure it has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very
716simple but truly incremental parser).
717
718The following two methods deal with this.
719
720=over 4
721
722=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
723
724This is the central parsing function. It can both append new text and
725extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these
726functions are optional).
727
728If C<$string> is given, then this string is appended to the already
729existing JSON fragment stored in the C<$json> object.
730
731After that, if the function is called in void context, it will simply
732return without doing anything further. This can be used to add more text
733in as many chunks as you want.
734
735If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
736exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
737object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
738this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
739C<incr_skip> to skip the errornous part). This is the most common way of
740using the method.
741
742And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
743from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
744otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
745objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
746an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
747case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
748lost.
749
750=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
751
752This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
753is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
754C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
755all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it.
756although in simple tests it might actually work, it I<will> fail under
757real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this
758method before having parsed anything.
759
760This function is useful in two cases: a) finding the trailing text after a
761JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
762(such as commas).
763
764=item $json->incr_skip
765
766This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove the
767parsed text from the input buffer. This is useful after C<incr_parse>
768died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser state is left
769unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the parse state.
770
771=back
772
773=head2 LIMITATIONS
774
775All options that affect decoding are supported, except
776C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to
777work sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can concatenate
778them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does not hold true
779for JSON numbers, however.
780
781For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the
782start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation
783of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS
784takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
785
786=head2 EXAMPLES
787
788Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that
789works similarly to C<decode_prefix>: We want to decode the JSON object at
790the start of a string and identify the portion after the JSON object:
791
792 my $text = "[1,2,3] hello";
793
794 my $json = new JSON::XS;
795
796 my $obj = $json->incr_parse ($text)
797 or die "expected JSON object or array at beginning of string";
798
799 my $tail = $json->incr_text;
800 # $tail now contains " hello"
801
802Easy, isn't it?
803
804Now for a more complicated example: Imagine a hypothetical protocol where
805you read some requests from a TCP stream, and each request is a JSON
806array, without any separation between them (in fact, it is often useful to
807use newlines as "separators", as these get interpreted as whitespace at
808the start of the JSON text, which makes it possible to test said protocol
809with C<telnet>...).
810
811Here is how you'd do it (it is trivial to write this in an event-based
812manner):
813
814 my $json = new JSON::XS;
815
816 # read some data from the socket
817 while (sysread $socket, my $buf, 4096) {
818
819 # split and decode as many requests as possible
820 for my $request ($json->incr_parse ($buf)) {
821 # act on the $request
822 }
823 }
824
825Another complicated example: Assume you have a string with JSON objects
826or arrays, all separated by (optional) comma characters (e.g. C<[1],[2],
827[3]>). To parse them, we have to skip the commas between the JSON texts,
828and here is where the lvalue-ness of C<incr_text> comes in useful:
829
830 my $text = "[1],[2], [3]";
831 my $json = new JSON::XS;
832
833 # void context, so no parsing done
834 $json->incr_parse ($text);
835
836 # now extract as many objects as possible. note the
837 # use of scalar context so incr_text can be called.
838 while (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
839 # do something with $obj
840
841 # now skip the optional comma
842 $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* , //x;
843 }
844
845Now lets go for a very complex example: Assume that you have a gigantic
846JSON array-of-objects, many gigabytes in size, and you want to parse it,
847but you cannot load it into memory fully (this has actually happened in
848the real world :).
849
850Well, you lost, you have to implement your own JSON parser. But JSON::XS
851can still help you: You implement a (very simple) array parser and let
852JSON decode the array elements, which are all full JSON objects on their
853own (this wouldn't work if the array elements could be JSON numbers, for
854example):
855
856 my $json = new JSON::XS;
857
858 # open the monster
859 open my $fh, "<bigfile.json"
860 or die "bigfile: $!";
861
862 # first parse the initial "["
863 for (;;) {
864 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
865 or die "read error: $!";
866 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
867
868 # Exit the loop once we found and removed(!) the initial "[".
869 # In essence, we are (ab-)using the $json object as a simple scalar
870 # we append data to.
871 last if $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* \[ //x;
872 }
873
874 # now we have the skipped the initial "[", so continue
875 # parsing all the elements.
876 for (;;) {
877 # in this loop we read data until we got a single JSON object
878 for (;;) {
879 if (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
880 # do something with $obj
881 last;
882 }
883
884 # add more data
885 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
886 or die "read error: $!";
887 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
888 }
889
890 # in this loop we read data until we either found and parsed the
891 # separating "," between elements, or the final "]"
892 for (;;) {
893 # first skip whitespace
894 $json->incr_text =~ s/^\s*//;
895
896 # if we find "]", we are done
897 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^\]//) {
898 print "finished.\n";
899 exit;
900 }
901
902 # if we find ",", we can continue with the next element
903 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^,//) {
904 last;
905 }
906
907 # if we find anything else, we have a parse error!
908 if (length $json->incr_text) {
909 die "parse error near ", $json->incr_text;
910 }
911
912 # else add more data
913 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
914 or die "read error: $!";
915 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
916 }
917
918This is a complex example, but most of the complexity comes from the fact
919that we are trying to be correct (bear with me if I am wrong, I never ran
920the above example :).
921
922
923
622=head1 MAPPING 924=head1 MAPPING
623 925
624This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and 926This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and
625vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most 927vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
626circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 928circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
627(what you put in comes out as something equivalent). 929(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
628 930
629For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions, 931For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
630lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl> 932lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppercase I<Perl>
631refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 933refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
632 934
633 935
634=head2 JSON -> PERL 936=head2 JSON -> PERL
635 937
636=over 4 938=over 4
637 939
638=item object 940=item object
639 941
640A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 942A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
641keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself). 943keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
642 944
643=item array 945=item array
644 946
645A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 947A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
646 948
654 956
655A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or 957A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
656string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On 958string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On
657the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all 959the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
658the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and 960the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
659might represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 961might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
660 962
661If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 963If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
662it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 964it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
663a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 965a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
664precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value. 966precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
967which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
968re-encoded toa JSON string).
665 969
666Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 970Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
667represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 971represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
668precision. 972precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
669 973the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
670This might create round-tripping problems as numbers might become strings,
671but as Perl is typeless there is no other way to do it.
672 974
673=item true, false 975=item true, false
674 976
675These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 977These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
676respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 978respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
677C<1> and C<0>. You can check wether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 979C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using
678the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 980the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function.
679 981
680=item null 982=item null
681 983
682A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 984A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
713Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1015Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
714exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1016exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
715C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1017C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
716also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 1018also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
717 1019
718 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1020 encode_json [\0, JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
719 1021
720=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1022=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
721 1023
722These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1024These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
723respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1025respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
724 1026
725=item blessed objects 1027=item blessed objects
726 1028
727Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 1029Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
728underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 1030C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
729change in future versions. 1031how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an
1032exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
1033your own serialiser method.
730 1034
731=item simple scalars 1035=item simple scalars
732 1036
733Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1037Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
734difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1038difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
735JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 1039JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
736before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 1040before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
737 1041
738 # dump as number 1042 # dump as number
739 to_json [2] # yields [2] 1043 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
740 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 1044 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
741 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 1045 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
742 1046
743 # used as string, so dump as string 1047 # used as string, so dump as string
744 print $value; 1048 print $value;
745 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 1049 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
746 1050
747 # undef becomes null 1051 # undef becomes null
748 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 1052 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
749 1053
750You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it: 1054You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
751 1055
752 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 1056 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
753 "$x"; # stringified 1057 "$x"; # stringified
754 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 1058 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
755 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 1059 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
756 1060
757You can force the type to be a number by numifying it: 1061You can force the type to be a JSON number by numifying it:
758 1062
759 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 1063 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
760 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 1064 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
761 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 1065 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
762 1066
763You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 1067You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
764less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 1068if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1069:).
765 1070
766=back 1071=back
767 1072
768 1073
769=head1 COMPARISON 1074=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
770 1075
771As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 1076The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
772JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the 1077encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
773problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules, 1078some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
774followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 1079
775from any of these problems or limitations. 1080C<utf8> controls whether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
1081by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
1082control whether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
1083codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
1084some combinations make less sense than others.
1085
1086Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
1087C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
1088these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
1089- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
1090decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
1091
1092Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
1093simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
1094takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
1095octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
1096and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
1097the same time, which can be confusing.
776 1098
777=over 4 1099=over 4
778 1100
779=item JSON 1.07 1101=item C<utf8> flag disabled
780 1102
781Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 1103When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1104and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1105values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1106characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except
1107"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1108respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1109funny/weird/dumb stuff).
782 1110
783Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 1111This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
784undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing 1112want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
785en-/decoding oneself, but unicode escapes are not working properly). 1113the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
1114filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
1115to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
786 1116
787No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 1117=item C<utf8> flag enabled
788the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will
789decode into the number 2.
790 1118
791=item JSON::PC 0.01 1119If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
1120characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
1121expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
1122of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
1123that.
792 1124
793Very fast. 1125The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
1126will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded
1127octet/binary string in Perl.
794 1128
795Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 1129=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
796 1130
797No roundtripping. 1131With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
1132with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
1133characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
798 1134
799Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 1135If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
800values will make it croak). 1136character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
1137Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
1138ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
1139the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
801 1140
802Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 1141If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
803which is not a valid JSON text. 1142regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
1143C<\uXXXX> then before.
804 1144
805Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1145Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
806getting fixed). 1146encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
1147encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
1148a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
807 1149
808=item JSON::Syck 0.21 1150Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
1151values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
1152to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
1153Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
809 1154
810Very buggy (often crashes). 1155So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
1156they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
811 1157
812Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 1158The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
813undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 1159as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
814single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
815generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
816 1160
817Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 1161The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
818escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 1162with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
819I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 1163as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
820 11648-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
821No roundtripping (simple cases work, but this depends on wether the scalar 1165when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
822value was used in a numeric context or not). 1166might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
823 1167proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
824Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state.
825
826Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
827getting fixed).
828
829Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and
830return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security
831issue: imagine two banks transfering money between each other using
832JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
833while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
834good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
835the transaction will still not succeed).
836
837=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
838
839Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
840
841Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
842still don't get parsed properly).
843
844Very inflexible.
845
846No roundtripping.
847
848Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
849result in nothing being output)
850
851Does not check input for validity.
852 1168
853=back 1169=back
854 1170
855 1171
856=head2 JSON and YAML 1172=head2 JSON and YAML
857 1173
858You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1174You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
859however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1175hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
860no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1176so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1177JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1178cases.
861 1179
862If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1180If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
863algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1181algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
864 1182
865 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1183 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
866 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1184 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
867 1185
868This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1186This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
869YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1187YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
870lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1188lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1189unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are
871keys are noticably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1190noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that
1191you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP
1192(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in
1193strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON
1194generators might).
872 1195
873There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1196There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1197specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
874you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1198general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
875or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1199versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
876that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1200high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1201least expect it.
1202
1203=over 4
1204
1205=item (*)
1206
1207I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1208authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1209acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1210bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1211educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1212problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1213and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1214
1215In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1216clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1217proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1218that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1219educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1220real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1221point out that it isn't true.
1222
1223=back
877 1224
878 1225
879=head2 SPEED 1226=head2 SPEED
880 1227
881It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1228It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
882tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1229tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
883in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1230in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
884system. 1231system.
885 1232
886First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1233First comes a comparison between various modules using
887single-line JSON string: 1234a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1235L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
888 1236
889 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1237 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
890 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1238 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1239 true, false]}
891 1240
892It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1241It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
893the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1242the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
894with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1243with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
895shrink). Higher is better: 1244shrink). Higher is better:
896 1245
897 Storable | 15779.925 | 14169.946 |
898 -----------+------------+------------+
899 module | encode | decode | 1246 module | encode | decode |
900 -----------|------------|------------| 1247 -----------|------------|------------|
901 JSON | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1248 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 |
902 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1249 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 |
903 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1250 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 |
904 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1251 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 |
905 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1252 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 |
906 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1253 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 |
908 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1255 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 |
909 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 | 1256 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
910 -----------+------------+------------+ 1257 -----------+------------+------------+
911 1258
912That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1259That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
913about three times faster on decoding, and over fourty times faster 1260about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster
914than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1261than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares
915favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1262favourably to Storable for small amounts of data.
916 1263
917Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1264Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
918search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1265search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
919 1266
920 module | encode | decode | 1267 module | encode | decode |
921 -----------|------------|------------| 1268 -----------|------------|------------|
922 JSON | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1269 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 |
923 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1270 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 |
924 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 | 1271 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
925 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1272 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 |
926 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1273 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 |
927 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1274 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 |
931 -----------+------------+------------+ 1278 -----------+------------+------------+
932 1279
933Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1280Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
934decodes faster). 1281decodes faster).
935 1282
936On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules 1283On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
937(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1284(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
938will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse 1285will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
939to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1286to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
940comparison table for that case. 1287comparison table for that case.
941 1288
942 1289
943=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1290=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
949any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am 1296any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
950trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1297trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
951 1298
952Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should 1299Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
953limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your 1300limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your
954resources run out, thats just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that 1301resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that
955can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is 1302can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is
956usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode 1303usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode
957it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON 1304it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON
958text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you 1305text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you
959might want to check the size before you accept the string. 1306might want to check the size before you accept the string.
960 1307
961Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1308Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
962arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1309arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
963machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1310machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
964only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1311only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
965to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1312to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
966conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1313conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
967has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1314has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
968C<max_depth> method. 1315C<max_depth> method.
969 1316
970And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1317Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
971of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1318case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
972though... 1319
1320Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1321structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1322information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1323will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
973 1324
974If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1325If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
975by javascript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1326by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
976L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see wether 1327L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether
977you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1328you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser
978design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1329design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major
979browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1330browser developers care only for features, not about getting security
980right). 1331right).
981 1332
982 1333
983=head1 THREADS 1334=head1 THREADS
984 1335
985This module is I<not> guarenteed to be thread safe and there are no 1336This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
986plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the 1337plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
987horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated 1338horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
988process simulations - use fork, its I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1339process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
989 1340
990(It might actually work, but you ahve ben warned). 1341(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
991 1342
992 1343
993=head1 BUGS 1344=head1 BUGS
994 1345
995While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1346While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
996not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1347not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
997still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1348keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
998will be fixed swiftly, though.
999 1349
1000Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1350Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1001service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1351service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1002 1352
1003=cut 1353=cut
1023 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 }, 1373 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1024 fallback => 1; 1374 fallback => 1;
1025 1375
10261; 13761;
1027 1377
1378=head1 SEE ALSO
1379
1380The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1381
1028=head1 AUTHOR 1382=head1 AUTHOR
1029 1383
1030 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1384 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1031 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1385 http://home.schmorp.de/
1032 1386

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