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Revision 1.65 by root, Sat Oct 13 01:55:31 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.145 by root, Tue Oct 29 00:06:40 2013 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
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.
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
36reports for other reasons. 52reports for other reasons.
37 53
38See COMPARISON, below, for a comparison to some other JSON modules.
39
40See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and 54See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and
41vice versa. 55vice versa.
42 56
43=head2 FEATURES 57=head2 FEATURES
44 58
45=over 4 59=over 4
46 60
47=item * correct unicode handling 61=item * correct Unicode handling
48 62
49This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when 63This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
50it does so. 64so, and even documents what "correct" means.
51 65
52=item * round-trip integrity 66=item * round-trip integrity
53 67
54When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 68When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
55by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 69by JSON and Perl, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl
56(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks 70level. (e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because
57like a number). 71it looks like a number). There I<are> minor exceptions to this, read the
72MAPPING section below to learn about those.
58 73
59=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 74=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
60 75
61There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 76There 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 77and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
63feature). 78feature).
64 79
65=item * fast 80=item * fast
66 81
67Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 82Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
68of speed, too. 83this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
69 84
70=item * simple to use 85=item * simple to use
71 86
72This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO 87This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
73interface. 88oriented interface.
74 89
75=item * reasonably versatile output formats 90=item * reasonably versatile output formats
76 91
77You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 92You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
78possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 93possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
79(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole 94(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 95Unicode 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. 96stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
82 97
83=back 98=back
84 99
85=cut 100=cut
86 101
87package JSON::XS; 102package JSON::XS;
88 103
89use strict; 104use common::sense;
90 105
91our $VERSION = '1.51'; 106our $VERSION = '3.0';
92our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 107our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
93 108
94our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 109our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json);
95 110
96use Exporter; 111use Exporter;
97use XSLoader; 112use XSLoader;
98 113
114use Types::Serialiser ();
115
99=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 116=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
100 117
101The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 118The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
102exported by default: 119exported by default:
103 120
104=over 4 121=over 4
105 122
106=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 123=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
107 124
108Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string 125Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
109(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error. 126(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
110 127
111This function call is functionally identical to: 128This function call is functionally identical to:
112 129
113 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 130 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
114 131
115except being faster. 132Except being faster.
116 133
117=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 134=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
118 135
119The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries 136The 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 137to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
121reference. Croaks on error. 138reference. Croaks on error.
122 139
123This function call is functionally identical to: 140This function call is functionally identical to:
124 141
125 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 142 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
126 143
127except being faster. 144Except being faster.
128
129=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
130
131Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
132JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
133and are used to represent JSON C<true> and C<false> values in Perl.
134
135See MAPPING, below, for more information on how JSON values are mapped to
136Perl.
137 145
138=back 146=back
139 147
140 148
141=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL 149=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
145 153
146=over 4 154=over 4
147 155
148=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255. 156=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
149 157
150This enables you to store unicode characters as single characters in a 158This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
151Perl string - very natural. 159Perl string - very natural.
152 160
153=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings. 161=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
154 162
155Unless you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or printing 163... 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 164printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
157locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending on various 165string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
158settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your data, it is 166on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
159I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical metadata. 167data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
160 168
161=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the 169=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
162encoding of your string. 170encoding of your string.
163 171
164Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in 172Just 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 173XS 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 174confuse 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 175is 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 176flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag
169clear. Other possibilities exist, too. 177clear. Other possibilities exist, too.
170 178
171If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't 179If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
172exist. 180exist.
173 181
174=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be 182=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
175validly interpreted as a Unicode codepoint. 183validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
176 184
177If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a 185If 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. 186Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
179 187
180=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string. 188=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
181 189
182Its a fact. Learn to live with it. 190It's a fact. Learn to live with it.
183 191
184=back 192=back
185 193
186I hope this helps :) 194I hope this helps :)
187 195
204 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 212 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
205 => {"a": [1, 2]} 213 => {"a": [1, 2]}
206 214
207=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 215=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
208 216
217=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
218
209If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 219If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
210generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 220generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
211unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 221Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
212single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 222single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
213as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native 223as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native
214unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string, 224Unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string,
215or any other superset of ASCII. 225or any other superset of ASCII.
216 226
217If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 227If 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 228characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
219in a faster and more compact format. 229in a faster and more compact format.
220 230
231See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
232document.
233
221The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be 234The 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 235transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not
223contain any 8 bit characters. 236contain any 8 bit characters.
224 237
225 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 238 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
226 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 239 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
227 240
228=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 241=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
229 242
243=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
244
230If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 245If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
231the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 246the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
232outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 247outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
233latin1-encoded JSON text or a native unicode string. The C<decode> method 248latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
234will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 249will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
235expects unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 250expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
236 251
237If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 252If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
238characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. 253characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags.
254
255See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
256document.
239 257
240The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON 258The 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 259text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded
242size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 260size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
243in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 261in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
244transfering), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when 262transferring), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when
245you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently 263you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently
246in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders. 264in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders.
247 265
248 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 266 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
249 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 267 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
250 268
251=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 269=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
270
271=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
252 272
253If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 273If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
254the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 274the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
255C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 275C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
256note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 276note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
257range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 277range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
258versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 278versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
259and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 279and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
260 280
261If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 281If 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 282string 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 283Unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
264to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 284to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
285
286See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
287document.
265 288
266Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 289Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
267 290
268 use Encode; 291 use Encode;
269 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 292 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
290 ] 313 ]
291 } 314 }
292 315
293=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 316=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
294 317
318=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
319
295If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 320If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
296format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 321format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
297into its own line, identing them properly. 322into its own line, indenting them properly.
298 323
299If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 324If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
300resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 325resulting JSON text is guaranteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
301 326
302This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 327This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
303 328
304=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 329=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
330
331=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
305 332
306If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 333If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
307optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 334optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
308 335
309If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 336If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
315Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 342Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
316 343
317 {"key" :"value"} 344 {"key" :"value"}
318 345
319=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 346=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
347
348=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
320 349
321If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 350If 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 351optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
323and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 352and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
324members. 353members.
331Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 360Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
332 361
333 {"key": "value"} 362 {"key": "value"}
334 363
335=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable]) 364=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
365
366=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
336 367
337If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 368If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
338extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 369extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
339affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid 370affected 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 371JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
377 408
378=back 409=back
379 410
380=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 411=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
381 412
413=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
414
382If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 415If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
383by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 416by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
384 417
385If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 418If 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 419pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
387of the same script). 420of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
421onwards).
388 422
389This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 423This 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, 424the 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, 425the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
392as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 426as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
393 427
394This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 428This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
395 429
430This setting has currently no effect on tied hashes.
431
396=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 432=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
433
434=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
397 435
398If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 436If 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, 437non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
400which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 438which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
401values instead of croaking. 439values instead of croaking.
409resulting in an invalid JSON text: 447resulting in an invalid JSON text:
410 448
411 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 449 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
412 => "Hello, World!" 450 => "Hello, World!"
413 451
452=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
453
454=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
455
456If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode> will I<not> throw an
457exception when it encounters values it cannot represent in JSON (for
458example, filehandles) but instead will encode a JSON C<null> value. Note
459that blessed objects are not included here and are handled separately by
460c<allow_nonref>.
461
462If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
463exception when it encounters anything it cannot encode as JSON.
464
465This option does not affect C<decode> in any way, and it is recommended to
466leave it off unless you know your communications partner.
467
414=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 468=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
469
470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
415 471
416If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 472If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
417barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 473barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
418B<convert_blessed> option will decide wether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 474B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
419disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the 475disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
420object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being 476object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
421encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>. 477encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
422 478
423If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 479If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
424exception when it encounters a blessed object. 480exception when it encounters a blessed object.
425 481
426=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 482=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
483
484=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
427 485
428If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 486If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
429blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 487blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
430on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 488on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context
431and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 489and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no
435The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 493The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
436returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 494returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
437way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 495way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
438(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 496(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
439methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 497methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
440usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with the C<to_json> 498usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
441function. 499function or method.
442 500
443This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 501This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the
444future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 502future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
445enabled by this setting. 503enabled by this setting.
446 504
488 546
489As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object> 547As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object>
490one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key 548one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key
491objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially 549objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially
492as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept 550as 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 551as 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 552support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks
495like a serialised Perl hash. 553like a serialised Perl hash.
496 554
497Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or 555Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or
498C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even 556C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even
522 580
523 { __widget__ => $self->{id} } 581 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
524 } 582 }
525 583
526=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 584=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
585
586=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
527 587
528Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 588Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
529strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 589strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
530C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 590C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
531memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many 591memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
549strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 609strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
550internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 610internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
551 611
552=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 612=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
553 613
614=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
615
554Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 616Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
555or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 617or 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 618data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
557stop and croak at that point. 619point.
558 620
559Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 621Nesting 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<[> 622needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
561characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 623characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
562given character in a string. 624given character in a string.
563 625
564Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 626Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
565that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 627that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
566 628
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 629If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
569used, which is rarely useful. 630is rarely useful.
631
632Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
633been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
634crashing.
570 635
571See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 636See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
572 637
573=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 638=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
639
640=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
574 641
575Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 642Set 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> 643being 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 644is 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 645attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
579effect on C<encode> (yet). 646effect on C<encode> (yet).
580 647
581The argument to C<max_size> will be rounded up to the next B<highest> 648If 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 649C<0> is specified).
583limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
584 650
585See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 651See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
586 652
587=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 653=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
588 654
589Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 655Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
590to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 656representation. Croaks on error.
591converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
592become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
593Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
594nor C<false> values will be generated.
595 657
596=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 658=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
597 659
598The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it, 660The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
599returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 661returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
600
601JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
602Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
603C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
604 662
605=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 663=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
606 664
607This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception 665This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception
608when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 666when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
609silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed 667silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed
610so far. 668so far.
611 669
612This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol 670This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol
613(which is not the brightest thing to do in the first place) and you need
614to know where the JSON text ends. 671and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
615 672
616 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 673 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
617 => ([], 3) 674 => ([], 3)
618 675
619=back 676=back
677
678
679=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
680
681In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
682texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
683Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
684JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
685a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
686using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but
687is much more efficient (and can be implemented with a minimum of method
688calls).
689
690JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
691has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
692truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
693early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
694parentheses. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
695soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
696to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
697parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
698
699The following methods implement this incremental parser.
700
701=over 4
702
703=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
704
705This is the central parsing function. It can both append new text and
706extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these
707functions are optional).
708
709If C<$string> is given, then this string is appended to the already
710existing JSON fragment stored in the C<$json> object.
711
712After that, if the function is called in void context, it will simply
713return without doing anything further. This can be used to add more text
714in as many chunks as you want.
715
716If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
717exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
718object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
719this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
720C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
721using the method.
722
723And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
724from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
725otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators between the JSON
726objects or arrays, instead they must be concatenated back-to-back. If
727an error occurs, an exception will be raised as in the scalar context
728case. Note that in this case, any previously-parsed JSON texts will be
729lost.
730
731Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
732them.
733
734 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
735
736=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
737
738This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
739is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
740C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
741all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it.
742although in simple tests it might actually work, it I<will> fail under
743real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this
744method before having parsed anything.
745
746This function is useful in two cases: a) finding the trailing text after a
747JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
748(such as commas).
749
750=item $json->incr_skip
751
752This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove
753the parsed text from the input buffer so far. This is useful after
754C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser
755state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
756parse state.
757
758The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
759occurred is removed.
760
761=item $json->incr_reset
762
763This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
764it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
765
766This is useful if you want to repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
767ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
768each successful decode.
769
770=back
771
772=head2 LIMITATIONS
773
774All options that affect decoding are supported, except
775C<allow_nonref>. The reason for this is that it cannot be made to work
776sensibly: JSON objects and arrays are self-delimited, i.e. you can
777concatenate them back to back and still decode them perfectly. This does
778not hold true for JSON numbers, however.
779
780For example, is the string C<1> a single JSON number, or is it simply the
781start of C<12>? Or is C<12> a single JSON number, or the concatenation
782of C<1> and C<2>? In neither case you can tell, and this is why JSON::XS
783takes the conservative route and disallows this case.
784
785=head2 EXAMPLES
786
787Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that
788works similarly to C<decode_prefix>: We want to decode the JSON object at
789the start of a string and identify the portion after the JSON object:
790
791 my $text = "[1,2,3] hello";
792
793 my $json = new JSON::XS;
794
795 my $obj = $json->incr_parse ($text)
796 or die "expected JSON object or array at beginning of string";
797
798 my $tail = $json->incr_text;
799 # $tail now contains " hello"
800
801Easy, isn't it?
802
803Now for a more complicated example: Imagine a hypothetical protocol where
804you read some requests from a TCP stream, and each request is a JSON
805array, without any separation between them (in fact, it is often useful to
806use newlines as "separators", as these get interpreted as whitespace at
807the start of the JSON text, which makes it possible to test said protocol
808with C<telnet>...).
809
810Here is how you'd do it (it is trivial to write this in an event-based
811manner):
812
813 my $json = new JSON::XS;
814
815 # read some data from the socket
816 while (sysread $socket, my $buf, 4096) {
817
818 # split and decode as many requests as possible
819 for my $request ($json->incr_parse ($buf)) {
820 # act on the $request
821 }
822 }
823
824Another complicated example: Assume you have a string with JSON objects
825or arrays, all separated by (optional) comma characters (e.g. C<[1],[2],
826[3]>). To parse them, we have to skip the commas between the JSON texts,
827and here is where the lvalue-ness of C<incr_text> comes in useful:
828
829 my $text = "[1],[2], [3]";
830 my $json = new JSON::XS;
831
832 # void context, so no parsing done
833 $json->incr_parse ($text);
834
835 # now extract as many objects as possible. note the
836 # use of scalar context so incr_text can be called.
837 while (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
838 # do something with $obj
839
840 # now skip the optional comma
841 $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* , //x;
842 }
843
844Now lets go for a very complex example: Assume that you have a gigantic
845JSON array-of-objects, many gigabytes in size, and you want to parse it,
846but you cannot load it into memory fully (this has actually happened in
847the real world :).
848
849Well, you lost, you have to implement your own JSON parser. But JSON::XS
850can still help you: You implement a (very simple) array parser and let
851JSON decode the array elements, which are all full JSON objects on their
852own (this wouldn't work if the array elements could be JSON numbers, for
853example):
854
855 my $json = new JSON::XS;
856
857 # open the monster
858 open my $fh, "<bigfile.json"
859 or die "bigfile: $!";
860
861 # first parse the initial "["
862 for (;;) {
863 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
864 or die "read error: $!";
865 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
866
867 # Exit the loop once we found and removed(!) the initial "[".
868 # In essence, we are (ab-)using the $json object as a simple scalar
869 # we append data to.
870 last if $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* \[ //x;
871 }
872
873 # now we have the skipped the initial "[", so continue
874 # parsing all the elements.
875 for (;;) {
876 # in this loop we read data until we got a single JSON object
877 for (;;) {
878 if (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
879 # do something with $obj
880 last;
881 }
882
883 # add more data
884 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
885 or die "read error: $!";
886 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
887 }
888
889 # in this loop we read data until we either found and parsed the
890 # separating "," between elements, or the final "]"
891 for (;;) {
892 # first skip whitespace
893 $json->incr_text =~ s/^\s*//;
894
895 # if we find "]", we are done
896 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^\]//) {
897 print "finished.\n";
898 exit;
899 }
900
901 # if we find ",", we can continue with the next element
902 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^,//) {
903 last;
904 }
905
906 # if we find anything else, we have a parse error!
907 if (length $json->incr_text) {
908 die "parse error near ", $json->incr_text;
909 }
910
911 # else add more data
912 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
913 or die "read error: $!";
914 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
915 }
916
917This is a complex example, but most of the complexity comes from the fact
918that we are trying to be correct (bear with me if I am wrong, I never ran
919the above example :).
920
620 921
621 922
622=head1 MAPPING 923=head1 MAPPING
623 924
624This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and 925This 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 926vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
626circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 927circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
627(what you put in comes out as something equivalent). 928(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
628 929
629For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions, 930For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
630lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl> 931lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppercase I<Perl>
631refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 932refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
632 933
633 934
634=head2 JSON -> PERL 935=head2 JSON -> PERL
635 936
636=over 4 937=over 4
637 938
638=item object 939=item object
639 940
640A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 941A 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). 942keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
642 943
643=item array 944=item array
644 945
645A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 946A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
646 947
654 955
655A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or 956A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
656string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On 957string 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 958the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
658the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and 959the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
659might represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 960might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
660 961
661If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 962If 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 963it 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 964a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
664precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value. 965precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
966which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
967re-encoded to a JSON string).
665 968
666Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 969Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
667represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 970represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
668precision. 971precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
972the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
669 973
670This might create round-tripping problems as numbers might become strings, 974Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
671but as Perl is typeless there is no other way to do it. 975represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
976floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
977the least significant bit.
672 978
673=item true, false 979=item true, false
674 980
675These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 981These JSON atoms become C<Types::Serialiser::true> and
676respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 982C<Types::Serialiser::false>, respectively. They are overloaded to act
677C<1> and C<0>. You can check wether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 983almost exactly like the numbers C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether
678the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 984a scalar is a JSON boolean by using the C<Types::Serialiser::is_bool>
985function (after C<use Types::Serialier>, of course).
679 986
680=item null 987=item null
681 988
682A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 989A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
990
991=item shell-style comments (C<< # I<text> >>)
992
993As a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax that is enabled by the
994C<relaxed> setting, shell-style comments are allowed. They can start
995anywhere outside strings and go till the end of the line.
996
997=item tagged values (C<< (I<tag>)I<value> >>).
998
999Another nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax, enabled with the
1000C<allow_tags> setting, are tagged values. In this implementation, the
1001I<tag> must be a perl package/class name encoded as a JSON string, and the
1002I<value> must be a JSON array encoding optional constructor arguments.
1003
1004See "OBJECT SERIALISATION", below, for details.
683 1005
684=back 1006=back
685 1007
686 1008
687=head2 PERL -> JSON 1009=head2 PERL -> JSON
692 1014
693=over 4 1015=over 4
694 1016
695=item hash references 1017=item hash references
696 1018
697Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1019Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
698in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1020ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
699pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1021in a pseudo-random order. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash keys
700stays generally the same within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can 1022(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
701optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1023serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
702the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1024JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
703settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1025e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text against another for equality.
704and is only rarely useful, e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text
705against another for equality.
706 1026
707=item array references 1027=item array references
708 1028
709Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1029Perl array references become JSON arrays.
710 1030
711=item other references 1031=item other references
712 1032
713Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1033Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
714exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1034exception 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 1035C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON.
716also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
717 1036
1037Since C<JSON::XS> uses the boolean model from L<Types::Serialiser>, you
1038can also C<use Types::Serialiser> and then use C<Types::Serialiser::false>
1039and C<Types::Serialiser::true> to improve readability.
1040
1041 use Types::Serialiser;
718 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1042 encode_json [\0, Types::Serialiser::true] # yields [false,true]
719 1043
720=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1044=item Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false
721 1045
722These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1046These special values from the L<Types::Serialiser> module become JSON true
723respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1047and JSON false values, respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0>
1048directly if you want.
724 1049
725=item blessed objects 1050=item blessed objects
726 1051
727Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 1052Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON, but C<JSON::XS>
728underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 1053allows various ways of handling objects. See "OBJECT SERIALISATION",
729change in future versions. 1054below, for details.
730 1055
731=item simple scalars 1056=item simple scalars
732 1057
733Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1058Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
734difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1059difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
735JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 1060JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
736before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 1061before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
737 1062
738 # dump as number 1063 # dump as number
739 to_json [2] # yields [2] 1064 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
740 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 1065 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
741 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 1066 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
742 1067
743 # used as string, so dump as string 1068 # used as string, so dump as string
744 print $value; 1069 print $value;
745 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 1070 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
746 1071
747 # undef becomes null 1072 # undef becomes null
748 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 1073 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
749 1074
750You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it: 1075You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
751 1076
752 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 1077 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
753 "$x"; # stringified 1078 "$x"; # stringified
754 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 1079 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
755 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 1080 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
756 1081
757You can force the type to be a number by numifying it: 1082You can force the type to be a JSON number by numifying it:
758 1083
759 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 1084 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
760 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 1085 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
761 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 1086 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
762 1087
763You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 1088You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
764less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 1089if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1090:).
1091
1092Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1093binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1094can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1095extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1096infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1097error to pass those in.
765 1098
766=back 1099=back
767 1100
1101=head2 OBJECT SERIALISATION
768 1102
769=head1 COMPARISON 1103As JSON cannot directly represent Perl objects, you have to choose between
1104a pure JSON representation (without the ability to deserialise the object
1105automatically again), and a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax,
1106tagged values.
770 1107
771As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 1108=head3 SERIALISATION
772JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the 1109
773problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules, 1110What happens when C<JSON::XS> encounters a Perl object depends on the
774followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 1111C<allow_blessed>, C<convert_blessed> and C<allow_tags> settings, which are
775from any of these problems or limitations. 1112used in this order:
776 1113
777=over 4 1114=over 4
778 1115
779=item JSON 1.07 1116=item 1. C<allow_tags> is enabled and object has a C<FREEZE> method.
780 1117
781Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 1118In this case, C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> object
1119serialisation protocol to create a tagged JSON value, using a nonstandard
1120extension to the JSON syntax.
782 1121
783Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 1122This works by invoking the C<FREEZE> method on the object, with the first
784undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing 1123argument being the object to serialise, and the second argument being the
785en-/decoding oneself, but unicode escapes are not working properly). 1124constant string C<JSON> to distinguish it from other serialisers.
786 1125
787No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 1126The C<FREEZE> method can return any number of values (i.e. zero or
788the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will 1127more). These values and the paclkage/classname of the object will then be
789decode into the number 2. 1128encoded as a tagged JSON value in the following format:
790 1129
791=item JSON::PC 0.01 1130 ("classname")[FREEZE return values...]
792 1131
793Very fast. 1132For example, the hypothetical C<My::Object> C<FREEZE> method might use the
1133objects C<type> and C<id> members to encode the object:
794 1134
795Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 1135 sub My::Object::FREEZE {
1136 my ($self, $serialiser) = @_;
796 1137
797No roundtripping. 1138 ($self->{type}, $self->{id})
1139 }
798 1140
799Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 1141=item 2. C<convert_blessed> is enabled and object has a C<TO_JSON> method.
800values will make it croak).
801 1142
802Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 1143In this case, the C<TO_JSON> method of the object is invoked in scalar
803which is not a valid JSON text. 1144context. It must return a single scalar that can be directly encoded into
1145JSON. This scalar replaces the object in the JSON text.
804 1146
805Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1147For example, the following C<TO_JSON> method will convert all L<URI>
806getting fixed). 1148objects to JSON strings when serialised. The fatc that these values
1149originally were L<URI> objects is lost.
807 1150
808=item JSON::Syck 0.21 1151 sub URI::TO_JSON {
1152 my ($uri) = @_;
1153 $uri->as_string
1154 }
809 1155
810Very buggy (often crashes). 1156=item 3. C<allow_blessed> is enabled.
811 1157
812Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 1158The object will be serialised as a JSON null value.
813undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a
814single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
815generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
816 1159
817Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 1160=item 4. none of the above
818escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to
819I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour).
820 1161
821No roundtripping (simple cases work, but this depends on wether the scalar 1162If none of the settings are enabled or the respective methods are missing,
822value was used in a numeric context or not). 1163C<JSON::XS> throws an exception.
823
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 1164
853=back 1165=back
854 1166
1167=head3 DESERIALISATION
1168
1169For deserialisation there are only two cases to consider: either
1170nonstandard tagging was used, in which case C<allow_tags> decides,
1171or objects cannot be automatically be deserialised, in which
1172case you can use postprocessing or the C<filter_json_object> or
1173C<filter_json_single_key_object> callbacks to get some real objects our of
1174your JSON.
1175
1176This section only considers the tagged value case: I a tagged JSON object
1177is encountered during decoding and C<allow_tags> is disabled, a parse
1178error will result (as if tagged values were not part of the grammar).
1179
1180If C<allow_tags> is enabled, C<JSON::XS> will look up the C<THAW> method
1181of the package/classname used during serialisation. If there is no such
1182method, the decoding will fail with an error.
1183
1184Otherwise, the C<THAW> method is invoked with the classname as first
1185argument, the constant string C<JSON> as second argument, and all the
1186values from the JSON array (the values originally returned by the
1187C<FREEZE> method) as remaining arguments.
1188
1189The method must then return the object. While technically you can return
1190any Perl scalar, you might have to enable the C<enable_nonref> setting to
1191make that work in all cases, so better return an actual blessed reference.
1192
1193As an example, let's implement a C<THAW> function that regenerates the
1194C<My::Object> from the C<FREEZE> example earlier:
1195
1196 sub My::Object::THAW {
1197 my ($class, $serialiser, $type, $id) = @_;
1198
1199 $class->new (type => $type, id => $id)
1200 }
1201
1202
1203=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1204
1205The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
1206encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
1207some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
1208
1209C<utf8> controls whether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
1210by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
1211control whether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
1212codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
1213some combinations make less sense than others.
1214
1215Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
1216C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
1217these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
1218- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
1219decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
1220
1221Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
1222simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
1223takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
1224octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
1225and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
1226the same time, which can be confusing.
1227
1228=over 4
1229
1230=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1231
1232When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1233and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1234values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1235characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1236"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1237respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1238funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1239
1240This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1241want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
1242the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
1243filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
1244to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
1245
1246=item C<utf8> flag enabled
1247
1248If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
1249characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
1250expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
1251of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
1252that.
1253
1254The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
1255will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded
1256octet/binary string in Perl.
1257
1258=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
1259
1260With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
1261with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
1262characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
1263
1264If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
1265character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
1266Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
1267ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
1268the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
1269
1270If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
1271regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
1272C<\uXXXX> then before.
1273
1274Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
1275encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
1276encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
1277a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
1278
1279Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
1280values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
1281to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
1282Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
1283
1284So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
1285they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
1286
1287The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
1288as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
1289
1290The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
1291with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
1292as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
12938-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
1294when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
1295might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
1296proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
1297
1298=back
1299
1300
1301=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1302
1303JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1304not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1305called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1306
1307However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1308ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1309implement).
1310
1311If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1312might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1313structure might not be queryable:
1314
1315One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1316JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1317following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1318to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1319
1320 use JSON::XS;
1321
1322 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1323
1324The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1325programs, and not rely on C<eval> (see for example Douglas Crockford's
1326F<json2.js> parser).
1327
1328If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1329ASCII-only JSON:
1330
1331 use JSON::XS;
1332
1333 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1334
1335Note that this will enlarge the resulting JSON text quite a bit if you
1336have many non-ASCII characters. You might be tempted to run some regexes
1337to only escape U+2028 and U+2029, e.g.:
1338
1339 # DO NOT USE THIS!
1340 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1341 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1342 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1343 print $json;
1344
1345Note that I<this is a bad idea>: the above only works for U+2028 and
1346U+2029 and thus only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing
1347javascript implementations, however, have issues with other characters as
1348well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1349
1350Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1351some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1352them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1353C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1354
1355If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1356output for these property strings, e.g.:
1357
1358 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1359
1360This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1361occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1362
1363If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1364
855 1365
856=head2 JSON and YAML 1366=head2 JSON and YAML
857 1367
858You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1368You 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 1369hysteria(*) 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. 1370so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1371JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1372cases.
861 1373
862If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1374If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
863algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1375algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
864 1376
865 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1377 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
866 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1378 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
867 1379
868This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1380This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
869YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1381YAML. 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 1382lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1383unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
871keys are noticably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1384keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1385and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1386Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1387sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1388other JSON generators might).
872 1389
873There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1390There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1391specification 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, 1392general 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 1393versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
876that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1394high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1395least expect it.
1396
1397=over 4
1398
1399=item (*)
1400
1401I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1402authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1403acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1404bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1405educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1406problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1407and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1408
1409In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1410clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1411proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1412that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1413educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1414real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1415point out that it isn't true.
1416
1417Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1418though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1419for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1420of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1421corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1422
1423=back
877 1424
878 1425
879=head2 SPEED 1426=head2 SPEED
880 1427
881It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1428It 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 1429tables. 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 1430in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
884system. 1431system.
885 1432
886First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1433First comes a comparison between various modules using
887single-line JSON string: 1434a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1435L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
888 1436
889 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1437 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
890 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1438 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1439 1, 0]}
891 1440
892It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1441It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
893the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1442the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
894with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1443with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
895shrink). Higher is better: 1444shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1445uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
896 1446
897 Storable | 15779.925 | 14169.946 |
898 -----------+------------+------------+
899 module | encode | decode | 1447 module | encode | decode |
900 -----------|------------|------------| 1448 --------------|------------|------------|
901 JSON | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1449 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
902 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1450 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
903 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1451 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
904 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1452 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
905 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1453 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
906 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1454 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
907 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1455 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
908 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1456 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
909 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
910 -----------+------------+------------+ 1457 --------------+------------+------------+
911 1458
912That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1459That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
913about three times faster on decoding, and over fourty times faster 1460about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
914than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1461faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
915favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1462to Storable for small amounts of data.
916 1463
917Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1464Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
918search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1465search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
919 1466
920 module | encode | decode | 1467 module | encode | decode |
921 -----------|------------|------------| 1468 --------------|------------|------------|
922 JSON | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1469 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
923 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1470 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
924 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
925 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1471 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
926 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1472 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
927 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1473 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
928 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1474 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
929 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1475 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
930 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1476 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
931 -----------+------------+------------+ 1477 --------------+------------+------------+
932 1478
933Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1479Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
934decodes faster). 1480decodes a bit faster).
935 1481
936On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules 1482On 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 1483(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 1484will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
939to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1485to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
940comparison table for that case. 1486comparison table for that case.
941 1487
942 1488
943=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1489=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
949any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am 1495any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
950trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1496trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
951 1497
952Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should 1498Second, 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 1499limit 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 1500resources 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 1501can 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 1502usually 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 1503it 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 1504text, 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. 1505might want to check the size before you accept the string.
960 1506
961Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1507Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
962arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1508arrays. 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 1509machine 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 1510only 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 1511to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
966conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1512conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
967has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1513has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
968C<max_depth> method. 1514C<max_depth> method.
969 1515
970And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1516Something 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, 1517case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
972though... 1518
1519Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1520structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1521information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1522will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
973 1523
974If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1524If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
975by javascript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1525by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
976L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see wether 1526L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
977you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1527see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
978design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1528are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
979browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1529it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
980right). 1530security right).
1531
1532
1533=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES
1534
1535C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean
1536constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be
1537comaptible to true and false values of iother modules that do the same,
1538such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>.
981 1539
982 1540
983=head1 THREADS 1541=head1 THREADS
984 1542
985This module is I<not> guarenteed to be thread safe and there are no 1543This 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 1544plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
987horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated 1545horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
988process simulations - use fork, its I<much> faster, cheaper, better). 1546process simulations - use fork, it's I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
989 1547
990(It might actually work, but you ahve ben warned). 1548(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
1549
1550
1551=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1552
1553Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1554system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1555
1556This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1557numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1558print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1559perl to stringify numbers).
1560
1561The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1562categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1563
1564If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1565actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1566afterwards.
991 1567
992 1568
993=head1 BUGS 1569=head1 BUGS
994 1570
995While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1571While 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 1572not 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 1573keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
998will be fixed swiftly, though.
999 1574
1000Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1575Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1001service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1576service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1002 1577
1003=cut 1578=cut
1004 1579
1005our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1580BEGIN {
1006our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1581 *true = \$Types::Serialiser::true;
1582 *true = \&Types::Serialiser::true;
1583 *false = \$Types::Serialiser::false;
1584 *false = \&Types::Serialiser::false;
1585 *is_bool = \&Types::Serialiser::is_bool;
1007 1586
1008sub true() { $true } 1587 *JSON::XS::Boolean:: = *Types::Serialiser::Boolean::;
1009sub false() { $false }
1010
1011sub is_bool($) {
1012 UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::XS::Boolean"
1013# or UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::Literal"
1014} 1588}
1015 1589
1016XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION; 1590XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION;
1017 1591
1018package JSON::XS::Boolean; 1592=head1 SEE ALSO
1019 1593
1020use overload 1594The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1021 "0+" => sub { ${$_[0]} },
1022 "++" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} + 1 },
1023 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1024 fallback => 1;
1025
10261;
1027 1595
1028=head1 AUTHOR 1596=head1 AUTHOR
1029 1597
1030 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1598 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1031 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1599 http://home.schmorp.de/
1032 1600
1033=cut 1601=cut
1034 1602
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