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Revision 1.71 by root, Sun Nov 25 14:23:57 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.90 by root, Wed Mar 19 22:28:43 2008 UTC

1=encoding utf-8
2
1=head1 NAME 3=head1 NAME
2 4
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast 5JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4 6
5JSON::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
10 use JSON::XS; 12 use JSON::XS;
11 13
12 # exported functions, they croak on error 14 # exported functions, they croak on error
13 # and expect/generate UTF-8 15 # and expect/generate UTF-8
14 16
15 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref; 17 $utf8_encoded_json_text = encode_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
16 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text; 18 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = decode_json $utf8_encoded_json_text;
17 19
18 # OO-interface 20 # OO-interface
19 21
20 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref; 22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
21 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar); 23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
22 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text); 24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
23 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
24=head1 DESCRIPTION 34=head1 DESCRIPTION
25 35
26This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
27primary 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
28I<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.
29 47
30As 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
31to 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
32modules, 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
33their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
42 60
43=over 4 61=over 4
44 62
45=item * correct Unicode handling 63=item * correct Unicode handling
46 64
47This 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
48it does so. 66so, and even documents what "correct" means.
49 67
50=item * round-trip integrity 68=item * round-trip integrity
51 69
52When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 70When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported
53by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 71by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
54(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
55like a number). 73like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING
74section below to learn about those.
56 75
57=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 76=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
58 77
59There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 78There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
60and 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
61feature). 80feature).
62 81
63=item * fast 82=item * fast
64 83
65Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 84Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
66of speed, too. 85this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
67 86
68=item * simple to use 87=item * simple to use
69 88
70This 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
71interface. 90oriented interface interface.
72 91
73=item * reasonably versatile output formats 92=item * reasonably versatile output formats
74 93
75You can choose between the most compact guaranteed single-line format 94You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
76possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 95possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format
77(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
78Unicode 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
79stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 98stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
80 99
84 103
85package JSON::XS; 104package JSON::XS;
86 105
87use strict; 106use strict;
88 107
89our $VERSION = '1.53'; 108our $VERSION = '2.1';
90our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 109our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
91 110
92our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 111our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
112
113sub to_json($) {
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}
93 122
94use Exporter; 123use Exporter;
95use XSLoader; 124use XSLoader;
96 125
97=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 126=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
99The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 128The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
100exported by default: 129exported by default:
101 130
102=over 4 131=over 4
103 132
104=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 133=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
105 134
106Converts 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
107(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error. 136(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
108 137
109This function call is functionally identical to: 138This function call is functionally identical to:
110 139
111 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 140 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
112 141
113except being faster. 142except being faster.
114 143
115=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 144=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
116 145
117The 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
118to 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
119reference. Croaks on error. 148reference. Croaks on error.
120 149
121This function call is functionally identical to: 150This function call is functionally identical to:
122 151
148This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a 177This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
149Perl string - very natural. 178Perl string - very natural.
150 179
151=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.
152 181
153Unless 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
154the 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
155locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending on various 184string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
156settings. 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
157I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical metadata. 186data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
158 187
159=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
160encoding of your string. 189encoding of your string.
161 190
162Just 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
201 230
202 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]})
203 => {"a": [1, 2]} 232 => {"a": [1, 2]}
204 233
205=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 234=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
235
236=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
206 237
207If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 238If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
208generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 239generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
209Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 240Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
210single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 241single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
214 245
215If C<$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
216characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 247characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
217in a faster and more compact format. 248in a faster and more compact format.
218 249
250See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
251document.
252
219The 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
220transmitted 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
221contain any 8 bit characters. 255contain any 8 bit characters.
222 256
223 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 257 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
224 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 258 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
225 259
226=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 260=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
261
262=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
227 263
228If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 264If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
229the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 265the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
230outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 266outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
231latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method 267latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
232will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 268will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
233expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 269expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
234 270
235If C<$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
236characters 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.
237 276
238The 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
239text, 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
240size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 279size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
241in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 280in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
246 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 285 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
247 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 286 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
248 287
249=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 288=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
250 289
290=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
291
251If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 292If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
252the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 293the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
253C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 294C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
254note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 295note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
255range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 296range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
258 299
259If C<$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
260string 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
261Unicode 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
262to 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.
263 307
264Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 308Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
265 309
266 use Encode; 310 use Encode;
267 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 311 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
288 ] 332 ]
289 } 333 }
290 334
291=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 335=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
292 336
337=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
338
293If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 339If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
294format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 340format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
295into its own line, indenting them properly. 341into its own line, indenting them properly.
296 342
297If C<$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
299 345
300This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 346This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
301 347
302=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 348=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
303 349
350=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
351
304If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 352If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
305optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 353optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
306 354
307If C<$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
308space at those places. 356space at those places.
313Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 361Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
314 362
315 {"key" :"value"} 363 {"key" :"value"}
316 364
317=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 365=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
366
367=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
318 368
319If C<$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
320optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 370optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
321and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 371and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
322members. 372members.
329Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 379Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
330 380
331 {"key": "value"} 381 {"key": "value"}
332 382
333=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable]) 383=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
384
385=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
334 386
335If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 387If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
336extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 388extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
337affected 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
338JSON 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
375 427
376=back 428=back
377 429
378=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 430=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
379 431
432=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
433
380If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 434If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
381by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 435by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
382 436
383If C<$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
384pairs 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
391 445
392This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 446This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
393 447
394=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 448=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
395 449
450=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
451
396If C<$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
397non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 453non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
398which 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
399values instead of croaking. 455values instead of croaking.
400 456
409 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 465 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
410 => "Hello, World!" 466 => "Hello, World!"
411 467
412=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 468=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
413 469
470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
471
414If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 472If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
415barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 473barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
416B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 474B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
417disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the 475disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
418object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being 476object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
419encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>. 477encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
420 478
421If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 479If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
422exception when it encounters a blessed object. 480exception when it encounters a blessed object.
423 481
424=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 482=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
483
484=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
425 485
426If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 486If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
427blessed 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
428on 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
429and 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
433The 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>
434returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 494returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
435way. 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
436(== 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
437methods 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
438usually 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>
439function. 499function or method.
440 500
441This 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
442future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 502future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
443enabled by this setting. 503enabled by this setting.
444 504
520 580
521 { __widget__ => $self->{id} } 581 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
522 } 582 }
523 583
524=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 584=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
585
586=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
525 587
526Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 588Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
527strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 589strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
528C<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
529memory 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
547strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 609strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
548internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 610internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
549 611
550=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 612=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
551 613
614=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
615
552Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 616Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
553or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 617or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or
554higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 618higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will
555stop and croak at that point. 619stop and croak at that point.
556 620
567used, which is rarely useful. 631used, which is rarely useful.
568 632
569See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 633See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
570 634
571=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 635=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
636
637=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
572 638
573Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 639Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
574being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 640being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
575is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 641is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not
576attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 642attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
652 718
653A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or 719A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
654string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On 720string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On
655the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all 721the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
656the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and 722the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
657might represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 723might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
658 724
659If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 725If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
660it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 726it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
661a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 727a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
662precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value. 728precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
729which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
730re-encoded toa JSON string).
663 731
664Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 732Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
665represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 733represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
666precision. 734precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
667 735the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
668This might create round-tripping problems as numbers might become strings,
669but as Perl is typeless there is no other way to do it.
670 736
671=item true, false 737=item true, false
672 738
673These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 739These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
674respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 740respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
711Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 777Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
712exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 778exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
713C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 779C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
714also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 780also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
715 781
716 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 782 encode_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
717 783
718=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 784=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
719 785
720These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 786These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
721respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 787respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
722 788
723=item blessed objects 789=item blessed objects
724 790
725Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 791Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
726underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 792C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
727change in future versions. 793how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an
794exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
795your own serialiser method.
728 796
729=item simple scalars 797=item simple scalars
730 798
731Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 799Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
732difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 800difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
733JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 801JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
734before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 802before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
735 803
736 # dump as number 804 # dump as number
737 to_json [2] # yields [2] 805 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
738 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 806 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
739 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 807 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
740 808
741 # used as string, so dump as string 809 # used as string, so dump as string
742 print $value; 810 print $value;
743 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 811 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
744 812
745 # undef becomes null 813 # undef becomes null
746 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 814 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
747 815
748You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it: 816You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
749 817
750 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 818 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
751 "$x"; # stringified 819 "$x"; # stringified
757 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 825 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
758 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 826 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
759 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours. 827 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
760 828
761You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 829You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
762if you need this capability. 830if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why its needed
831:).
832
833=back
834
835
836=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
837
838The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
839encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
840some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
841
842C<utf8> controls wether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
843by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
844control wether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
845codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
846some combinations make less sense than others.
847
848Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
849C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
850these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
851- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
852decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
853
854Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
855simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
856takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
857octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
858and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
859the same time, which can be confusing.
860
861=over 4
862
863=item C<utf8> flag disabled
864
865When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
866and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
867values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
868characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except
869"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
870respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
871funny/weird/dumb stuff).
872
873This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
874want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
875the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
876filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
877to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
878
879=item C<utf8> flag enabled
880
881If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
882characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
883expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
884of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
885that.
886
887The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
888will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded
889octet/binary string in Perl.
890
891=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
892
893With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
894with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
895characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
896
897If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
898character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
899Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
900ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
901the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
902
903If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
904regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
905C<\uXXXX> then before.
906
907Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
908encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
909encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
910a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
911
912Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
913values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
914to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
915Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
916
917So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
918they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
919
920The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
921as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
922
923The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
924with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
925as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
9268-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
927when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
928might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
929proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
763 930
764=back 931=back
765 932
766 933
767=head1 COMPARISON 934=head1 COMPARISON
771problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules, 938problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules,
772followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 939followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer
773from any of these problems or limitations. 940from any of these problems or limitations.
774 941
775=over 4 942=over 4
943
944=item JSON 2.xx
945
946A marvellous piece of engineering, this module either uses JSON::XS
947directly when available (so will be 100% compatible with it, including
948speed), or it uses JSON::PP, which is basically JSON::XS translated to
949Pure Perl, which should be 100% compatible with JSON::XS, just a bit
950slower.
951
952You cannot really lose by using this module, especially as it tries very
953hard to work even with ancient Perl versions, while JSON::XS does not.
776 954
777=item JSON 1.07 955=item JSON 1.07
778 956
779Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 957Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl).
780 958
851=back 1029=back
852 1030
853 1031
854=head2 JSON and YAML 1032=head2 JSON and YAML
855 1033
856You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1034You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
857however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1035hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
858no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1036so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1037JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1038cases.
859 1039
860If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1040If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
861algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1041algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
862 1042
863 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1043 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
864 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1044 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
865 1045
866This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1046This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
867YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1047YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
868lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1048lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1049unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are
869keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1050noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that
1051you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP
1052(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in
1053strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON
1054generators might).
870 1055
871There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1056There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1057specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
872you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1058general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
873or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1059versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
874that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1060high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1061least expect it.
1062
1063=over 4
1064
1065=item (*)
1066
1067I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1068authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1069acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1070bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1071educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1072problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1073and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1074
1075In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1076clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1077proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1078that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1079educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1080real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1081point out that it isn't true.
1082
1083=back
875 1084
876 1085
877=head2 SPEED 1086=head2 SPEED
878 1087
879It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1088It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
880tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1089tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
881in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1090in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
882system. 1091system.
883 1092
884First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1093First comes a comparison between various modules using
885single-line JSON string: 1094a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1095L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
886 1096
887 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1097 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \
888 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1098 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]}
889 1099
890It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1100It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
892with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1102with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
893shrink). Higher is better: 1103shrink). Higher is better:
894 1104
895 module | encode | decode | 1105 module | encode | decode |
896 -----------|------------|------------| 1106 -----------|------------|------------|
897 JSON | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1107 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 |
898 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1108 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 |
899 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1109 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 |
900 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1110 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 |
901 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1111 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 |
902 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1112 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 |
909about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1119about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster
910than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1120than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares
911favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1121favourably to Storable for small amounts of data.
912 1122
913Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1123Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
914search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1124search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
915 1125
916 module | encode | decode | 1126 module | encode | decode |
917 -----------|------------|------------| 1127 -----------|------------|------------|
918 JSON | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1128 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 |
919 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1129 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 |
920 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 | 1130 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
921 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1131 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 |
922 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1132 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 |
923 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1133 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 |
956 1166
957Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1167Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
958arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1168arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
959machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1169machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
960only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1170only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
961to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1171to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
962conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1172conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
963has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1173has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
964C<max_depth> method. 1174C<max_depth> method.
965 1175
966And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1176Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
967of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1177case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
968though... 1178
1179Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1180structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1181information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1182will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
969 1183
970If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1184If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
971by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1185by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
972L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1186L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether
973you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1187you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser
974design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1188design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major
975browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1189browser developers care only for features, not about getting security
976right). 1190right).
977 1191
978 1192
979=head1 THREADS 1193=head1 THREADS
980 1194

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