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Revision 1.73 by root, Sun Nov 25 19:36:54 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.170 by root, Thu Nov 15 22:35:35 2018 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast 3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
4
5=encoding utf-8
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
6 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html) 8 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html)
7 9
8=head1 SYNOPSIS 10=head1 SYNOPSIS
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.
29 39
30As 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
32modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases
33their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
34reports for other reasons.
35
36See COMPARISON, below, for a comparison to some other JSON modules.
37
38See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and 40See MAPPING, below, on how JSON::XS maps perl values to JSON values and
39vice versa. 41vice versa.
40 42
41=head2 FEATURES 43=head2 FEATURES
42 44
43=over 4 45=over
44 46
45=item * correct Unicode handling 47=item * correct Unicode handling
46 48
47This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when 49This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
48it does so. 50so, and even documents what "correct" means.
49 51
50=item * round-trip integrity 52=item * round-trip integrity
51 53
52When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 54When you serialise a perl data structure using only data types supported
53by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 55by JSON and Perl, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl
54(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks 56level. (e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because
55like a number). 57it looks like a number). There I<are> minor exceptions to this, read the
58MAPPING section below to learn about those.
56 59
57=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 60=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
58 61
59There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 62There 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 63and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
61feature). 64feature).
62 65
63=item * fast 66=item * fast
64 67
65Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 68Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
66of speed, too. 69this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
67 70
68=item * simple to use 71=item * simple to use
69 72
70This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO 73This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an object
71interface. 74oriented interface.
72 75
73=item * reasonably versatile output formats 76=item * reasonably versatile output formats
74 77
75You can choose between the most compact guaranteed single-line format 78You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
76possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 79possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ASCII format
77(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole 80(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 81Unicode 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. 82stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
80 83
81=back 84=back
82 85
83=cut 86=cut
84 87
85package JSON::XS; 88package JSON::XS;
86 89
87use strict; 90use common::sense;
88 91
89our $VERSION = '1.6'; 92our $VERSION = '4.0';
90our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 93our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
91 94
92our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 95our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json);
93 96
94use Exporter; 97use Exporter;
95use XSLoader; 98use XSLoader;
96 99
100use Types::Serialiser ();
101
97=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 102=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
98 103
99The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are 104The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
100exported by default: 105exported by default:
101 106
102=over 4 107=over
103 108
104=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 109=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
105 110
106Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string 111Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
107(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error. 112(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
108 113
109This function call is functionally identical to: 114This function call is functionally identical to:
110 115
111 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 116 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
112 117
113except being faster. 118Except being faster.
114 119
115=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 120=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
116 121
117The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries 122The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects a UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
118to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting 123to parse that as a UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
119reference. Croaks on error. 124reference. Croaks on error.
120 125
121This function call is functionally identical to: 126This function call is functionally identical to:
122 127
123 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 128 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
124 129
125except being faster. 130Except being faster.
126
127=item $is_boolean = JSON::XS::is_bool $scalar
128
129Returns true if the passed scalar represents either JSON::XS::true or
130JSON::XS::false, two constants that act like C<1> and C<0>, respectively
131and are used to represent JSON C<true> and C<false> values in Perl.
132
133See MAPPING, below, for more information on how JSON values are mapped to
134Perl.
135 131
136=back 132=back
137 133
138 134
139=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL 135=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
140 136
141Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on 137Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on
142how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs. 138how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs.
143 139
144=over 4 140=over
145 141
146=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255. 142=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
147 143
148This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a 144This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
149Perl string - very natural. 145Perl string - very natural.
150 146
151=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings. 147=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
152 148
153Unless you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or printing 149... 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 150printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
155locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending on various 151string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
156settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your data, it is 152on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
157I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical metadata. 153data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
158 154
159=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the 155=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
160encoding of your string. 156encoding of your string.
161 157
162Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in 158Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in
168 164
169If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't 165If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
170exist. 166exist.
171 167
172=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be 168=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
173validly interpreted as a Unicode codepoint. 169validly interpreted as a Unicode code point.
174 170
175If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a 171If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
176Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string. 172Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
177 173
178=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string. 174=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
187=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 183=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
188 184
189The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 185The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
190decoding style, within the limits of supported formats. 186decoding style, within the limits of supported formats.
191 187
192=over 4 188=over
193 189
194=item $json = new JSON::XS 190=item $json = new JSON::XS
195 191
196Creates a new JSON::XS object that can be used to de/encode JSON 192Creates a new JSON::XS object that can be used to de/encode JSON
197strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>. 193strings. All boolean flags described below are by default I<disabled>
194(with the exception of C<allow_nonref>, which defaults to I<enabled> since
195version C<4.0>).
198 196
199The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can 197The mutators for flags all return the JSON object again and thus calls can
200be chained: 198be chained:
201 199
202 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 200 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
216 214
217If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 215If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
218characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 216characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
219in a faster and more compact format. 217in a faster and more compact format.
220 218
219See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
220document.
221
221The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be 222The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be
222transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not 223transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not
223contain any 8 bit characters. 224contain any 8 bit characters.
224 225
225 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 226 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
236will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 237will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
237expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 238expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
238 239
239If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 240If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
240characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. 241characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags.
242
243See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
244document.
241 245
242The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON 246The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON
243text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded 247text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded
244size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 248size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
245in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 249in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
254 258
255=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8 259=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
256 260
257If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 261If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
258the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 262the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
259C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 263C<decode> method expects to be handed a UTF-8-encoded string. Please
260note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 264note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
261range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 265range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
262versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 266versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
263and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 267and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
264 268
265If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 269If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
266string as a (non-encoded) Unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 270string as a (non-encoded) Unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
267Unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 271Unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
268to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 272to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
269 273
274See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
275document.
276
270Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 277Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
271 278
272 use Encode; 279 use Encode;
273 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 280 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
274 281
276 283
277 use Encode; 284 use Encode;
278 $object = JSON::XS->new->decode (decode "UTF-32LE", $jsontext); 285 $object = JSON::XS->new->decode (decode "UTF-32LE", $jsontext);
279 286
280=item $json = $json->pretty ([$enable]) 287=item $json = $json->pretty ([$enable])
281
282=item $enabled = $json->get_pretty
283 288
284This enables (or disables) all of the C<indent>, C<space_before> and 289This enables (or disables) all of the C<indent>, C<space_before> and
285C<space_after> (and in the future possibly more) flags in one call to 290C<space_after> (and in the future possibly more) flags in one call to
286generate the most readable (or most compact) form possible. 291generate the most readable (or most compact) form possible.
287 292
348 353
349=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed 354=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
350 355
351If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 356If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
352extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 357extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
353affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid 358affected in any way. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
354JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to 359JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
355parse application-specific files written by humans (configuration files, 360parse application-specific files written by humans (configuration files,
356resource files etc.) 361resource files etc.)
357 362
358If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<decode> will only accept 363If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<decode> will only accept
359valid JSON texts. 364valid JSON texts.
360 365
361Currently accepted extensions are: 366Currently accepted extensions are:
362 367
363=over 4 368=over
364 369
365=item * list items can have an end-comma 370=item * list items can have an end-comma
366 371
367JSON I<separates> array elements and key-value pairs with commas. This 372JSON I<separates> array elements and key-value pairs with commas. This
368can be annoying if you write JSON texts manually and want to be able to 373can be annoying if you write JSON texts manually and want to be able to
387 [ 392 [
388 1, # this comment not allowed in JSON 393 1, # this comment not allowed in JSON
389 # neither this one... 394 # neither this one...
390 ] 395 ]
391 396
397=item * literal ASCII TAB characters in strings
398
399Literal ASCII TAB characters are now allowed in strings (and treated as
400C<\t>).
401
402 [
403 "Hello\tWorld",
404 "Hello<TAB>World", # literal <TAB> would not normally be allowed
405 ]
406
392=back 407=back
393 408
394=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 409=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
395 410
396=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical 411=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
398If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 413If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
399by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 414by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
400 415
401If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 416If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
402pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 417pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
403of the same script). 418of the same script, and can change even within the same run from 5.18
419onwards).
404 420
405This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 421This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
406the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 422the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
407the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 423the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
408as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 424as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
409 425
410This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 426This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
411 427
428This setting has currently no effect on tied hashes.
429
412=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 430=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
413 431
414=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref 432=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
433
434Unlike other boolean options, this opotion is enabled by default beginning
435with version C<4.0>. See L<SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS> for the gory details.
415 436
416If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 437If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
417non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 438non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
418which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 439which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
419values instead of croaking. 440values instead of croaking.
421If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't 442If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will croak if it isn't
422passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON texts must either be an object 443passed an arrayref or hashref, as JSON texts must either be an object
423or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a 444or array. Likewise, C<decode> will croak if given something that is not a
424JSON object or array. 445JSON object or array.
425 446
426Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value with enabled C<allow_nonref>, 447Example, encode a Perl scalar as JSON value without enabled C<allow_nonref>,
427resulting in an invalid JSON text: 448resulting in an error:
428 449
429 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 450 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref (0)->encode ("Hello, World!")
430 => "Hello, World!" 451 => hash- or arrayref expected...
452
453=item $json = $json->allow_unknown ([$enable])
454
455=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_unknown
456
457If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode> will I<not> throw an
458exception when it encounters values it cannot represent in JSON (for
459example, filehandles) but instead will encode a JSON C<null> value. Note
460that blessed objects are not included here and are handled separately by
461c<allow_nonref>.
462
463If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
464exception when it encounters anything it cannot encode as JSON.
465
466This option does not affect C<decode> in any way, and it is recommended to
467leave it off unless you know your communications partner.
431 468
432=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 469=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
433 470
434=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_bless 471=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
472
473See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION> for details.
435 474
436If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 475If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
437barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 476barf when it encounters a blessed reference that it cannot convert
438B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 477otherwise. Instead, a JSON C<null> value is encoded instead of the object.
439disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the
440object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being
441encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
442 478
443If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 479If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
444exception when it encounters a blessed object. 480exception when it encounters a blessed object that it cannot convert
481otherwise.
482
483This setting has no effect on C<decode>.
445 484
446=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 485=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
447 486
448=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed 487=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
488
489See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION> for details.
449 490
450If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 491If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
451blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 492blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
452on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 493on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context and
453and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 494the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object.
454C<TO_JSON> method is found, the value of C<allow_blessed> will decide what
455to do.
456 495
457The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 496The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
458returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 497returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
459way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 498way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
460(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 499(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
461methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 500methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
462usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with the C<to_json> 501usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
463function. 502function or method.
464 503
465This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 504If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will not consider
466future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 505this type of conversion.
467enabled by this setting.
468 506
469If C<$enable> is false, then the C<allow_blessed> setting will decide what 507This setting has no effect on C<decode>.
470to do when a blessed object is found. 508
509=item $json = $json->allow_tags ([$enable])
510
511=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_tags
512
513See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION> for details.
514
515If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
516blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<FREEZE> method on
517the object's class. If found, it will be used to serialise the object into
518a nonstandard tagged JSON value (that JSON decoders cannot decode).
519
520It also causes C<decode> to parse such tagged JSON values and deserialise
521them via a call to the C<THAW> method.
522
523If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will not consider
524this type of conversion, and tagged JSON values will cause a parse error
525in C<decode>, as if tags were not part of the grammar.
471 526
472=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)]) 527=item $json = $json->filter_json_object ([$coderef->($hashref)])
473 528
474When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each 529When C<$coderef> is specified, it will be called from C<decode> each
475time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to the 530time it decodes a JSON object. The only argument is a reference to
476newly-created hash. If the code references returns a single scalar (which 531the newly-created hash. If the code reference returns a single scalar
477need not be a reference), this value (i.e. a copy of that scalar to avoid 532(which need not be a reference), this value (or rather a copy of it) is
478aliasing) is inserted into the deserialised data structure. If it returns 533inserted into the deserialised data structure. If it returns an empty
479an empty list (NOTE: I<not> C<undef>, which is a valid scalar), the 534list (NOTE: I<not> C<undef>, which is a valid scalar), the original
480original deserialised hash will be inserted. This setting can slow down 535deserialised hash will be inserted. This setting can slow down decoding
481decoding considerably. 536considerably.
482 537
483When C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, any existing callback will 538When C<$coderef> is omitted or undefined, any existing callback will
484be removed and C<decode> will not change the deserialised hash in any 539be removed and C<decode> will not change the deserialised hash in any
485way. 540way.
486 541
576=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 631=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
577 632
578=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth 633=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
579 634
580Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 635Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
581or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 636or decoding. If a higher nesting level is detected in JSON text or a Perl
582higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 637data structure, then the encoder and decoder will stop and croak at that
583stop and croak at that point. 638point.
584 639
585Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder 640Nesting level is defined by number of hash- or arrayrefs that the encoder
586needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[> 641needs to traverse to reach a given point or the number of C<{> or C<[>
587characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a 642characters without their matching closing parenthesis crossed to reach a
588given character in a string. 643given character in a string.
589 644
590Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures 645Setting the maximum depth to one disallows any nesting, so that ensures
591that the object is only a single hash/object or array. 646that the object is only a single hash/object or array.
592 647
593The argument to C<max_depth> will be rounded up to the next highest power
594of two. If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be 648If no argument is given, the highest possible setting will be used, which
595used, which is rarely useful. 649is rarely useful.
650
651Note that nesting is implemented by recursion in C. The default value has
652been chosen to be as large as typical operating systems allow without
653crashing.
596 654
597See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 655See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
598 656
599=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 657=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
600 658
601=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size 659=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
602 660
603Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 661Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
604being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 662being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
605is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 663is called on a string that is longer then this many bytes, it will not
606attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 664attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
607effect on C<encode> (yet). 665effect on C<encode> (yet).
608 666
609The argument to C<max_size> will be rounded up to the next B<highest> 667If no argument is given, the limit check will be deactivated (same as when
610power of two (so may be more than requested). If no argument is given, the 668C<0> is specified).
611limit check will be deactivated (same as when C<0> is specified).
612 669
613See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 670See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
614 671
615=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar) 672=item $json_text = $json->encode ($perl_scalar)
616 673
617Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference 674Converts the given Perl value or data structure to its JSON
618to a hash or array) to its JSON representation. Simple scalars will be 675representation. Croaks on error.
619converted into JSON string or number sequences, while references to arrays
620become JSON arrays and references to hashes become JSON objects. Undefined
621Perl values (e.g. C<undef>) become JSON C<null> values. Neither C<true>
622nor C<false> values will be generated.
623 676
624=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text) 677=item $perl_scalar = $json->decode ($json_text)
625 678
626The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it, 679The opposite of C<encode>: expects a JSON text and tries to parse it,
627returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 680returning the resulting simple scalar or reference. Croaks on error.
628
629JSON numbers and strings become simple Perl scalars. JSON arrays become
630Perl arrayrefs and JSON objects become Perl hashrefs. C<true> becomes
631C<1>, C<false> becomes C<0> and C<null> becomes C<undef>.
632 681
633=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text) 682=item ($perl_scalar, $characters) = $json->decode_prefix ($json_text)
634 683
635This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception 684This works like the C<decode> method, but instead of raising an exception
636when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will 685when there is trailing garbage after the first JSON object, it will
637silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed 686silently stop parsing there and return the number of characters consumed
638so far. 687so far.
639 688
640This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol 689This is useful if your JSON texts are not delimited by an outer protocol
641(which is not the brightest thing to do in the first place) and you need
642to know where the JSON text ends. 690and you need to know where the JSON text ends.
643 691
644 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail") 692 JSON::XS->new->decode_prefix ("[1] the tail")
645 => ([], 3) 693 => ([1], 3)
646 694
647=back 695=back
696
697
698=head1 INCREMENTAL PARSING
699
700In some cases, there is the need for incremental parsing of JSON
701texts. While this module always has to keep both JSON text and resulting
702Perl data structure in memory at one time, it does allow you to parse a
703JSON stream incrementally. It does so by accumulating text until it has
704a full JSON object, which it then can decode. This process is similar to
705using C<decode_prefix> to see if a full JSON object is available, but
706is much more efficient (and can be implemented with a minimum of method
707calls).
708
709JSON::XS will only attempt to parse the JSON text once it is sure it
710has enough text to get a decisive result, using a very simple but
711truly incremental parser. This means that it sometimes won't stop as
712early as the full parser, for example, it doesn't detect mismatched
713parentheses. The only thing it guarantees is that it starts decoding as
714soon as a syntactically valid JSON text has been seen. This means you need
715to set resource limits (e.g. C<max_size>) to ensure the parser will stop
716parsing in the presence if syntax errors.
717
718The following methods implement this incremental parser.
719
720=over
721
722=item [void, scalar or list context] = $json->incr_parse ([$string])
723
724This is the central parsing function. It can both append new text and
725extract objects from the stream accumulated so far (both of these
726functions are optional).
727
728If C<$string> is given, then this string is appended to the already
729existing JSON fragment stored in the C<$json> object.
730
731After that, if the function is called in void context, it will simply
732return without doing anything further. This can be used to add more text
733in as many chunks as you want.
734
735If the method is called in scalar context, then it will try to extract
736exactly I<one> JSON object. If that is successful, it will return this
737object, otherwise it will return C<undef>. If there is a parse error,
738this method will croak just as C<decode> would do (one can then use
739C<incr_skip> to skip the erroneous part). This is the most common way of
740using the method.
741
742And finally, in list context, it will try to extract as many objects
743from the stream as it can find and return them, or the empty list
744otherwise. For this to work, there must be no separators (other than
745whitespace) between the JSON objects or arrays, instead they must be
746concatenated back-to-back. If an error occurs, an exception will be
747raised as in the scalar context case. Note that in this case, any
748previously-parsed JSON texts will be lost.
749
750Example: Parse some JSON arrays/objects in a given string and return
751them.
752
753 my @objs = JSON::XS->new->incr_parse ("[5][7][1,2]");
754
755=item $lvalue_string = $json->incr_text
756
757This method returns the currently stored JSON fragment as an lvalue, that
758is, you can manipulate it. This I<only> works when a preceding call to
759C<incr_parse> in I<scalar context> successfully returned an object. Under
760all other circumstances you must not call this function (I mean it.
761although in simple tests it might actually work, it I<will> fail under
762real world conditions). As a special exception, you can also call this
763method before having parsed anything.
764
765That means you can only use this function to look at or manipulate text
766before or after complete JSON objects, not while the parser is in the
767middle of parsing a JSON object.
768
769This function is useful in two cases: a) finding the trailing text after a
770JSON object or b) parsing multiple JSON objects separated by non-JSON text
771(such as commas).
772
773=item $json->incr_skip
774
775This will reset the state of the incremental parser and will remove
776the parsed text from the input buffer so far. This is useful after
777C<incr_parse> died, in which case the input buffer and incremental parser
778state is left unchanged, to skip the text parsed so far and to reset the
779parse state.
780
781The difference to C<incr_reset> is that only text until the parse error
782occurred is removed.
783
784=item $json->incr_reset
785
786This completely resets the incremental parser, that is, after this call,
787it will be as if the parser had never parsed anything.
788
789This is useful if you want to repeatedly parse JSON objects and want to
790ignore any trailing data, which means you have to reset the parser after
791each successful decode.
792
793=back
794
795=head2 LIMITATIONS
796
797The incremental parser is a non-exact parser: it works by gathering as
798much text as possible that I<could> be a valid JSON text, followed by
799trying to decode it.
800
801That means it sometimes needs to read more data than strictly necessary to
802diagnose an invalid JSON text. For example, after parsing the following
803fragment, the parser I<could> stop with an error, as this fragment
804I<cannot> be the beginning of a valid JSON text:
805
806 [,
807
808In reality, hopwever, the parser might continue to read data until a
809length limit is exceeded or it finds a closing bracket.
810
811=head2 EXAMPLES
812
813Some examples will make all this clearer. First, a simple example that
814works similarly to C<decode_prefix>: We want to decode the JSON object at
815the start of a string and identify the portion after the JSON object:
816
817 my $text = "[1,2,3] hello";
818
819 my $json = new JSON::XS;
820
821 my $obj = $json->incr_parse ($text)
822 or die "expected JSON object or array at beginning of string";
823
824 my $tail = $json->incr_text;
825 # $tail now contains " hello"
826
827Easy, isn't it?
828
829Now for a more complicated example: Imagine a hypothetical protocol where
830you read some requests from a TCP stream, and each request is a JSON
831array, without any separation between them (in fact, it is often useful to
832use newlines as "separators", as these get interpreted as whitespace at
833the start of the JSON text, which makes it possible to test said protocol
834with C<telnet>...).
835
836Here is how you'd do it (it is trivial to write this in an event-based
837manner):
838
839 my $json = new JSON::XS;
840
841 # read some data from the socket
842 while (sysread $socket, my $buf, 4096) {
843
844 # split and decode as many requests as possible
845 for my $request ($json->incr_parse ($buf)) {
846 # act on the $request
847 }
848 }
849
850Another complicated example: Assume you have a string with JSON objects
851or arrays, all separated by (optional) comma characters (e.g. C<[1],[2],
852[3]>). To parse them, we have to skip the commas between the JSON texts,
853and here is where the lvalue-ness of C<incr_text> comes in useful:
854
855 my $text = "[1],[2], [3]";
856 my $json = new JSON::XS;
857
858 # void context, so no parsing done
859 $json->incr_parse ($text);
860
861 # now extract as many objects as possible. note the
862 # use of scalar context so incr_text can be called.
863 while (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
864 # do something with $obj
865
866 # now skip the optional comma
867 $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* , //x;
868 }
869
870Now lets go for a very complex example: Assume that you have a gigantic
871JSON array-of-objects, many gigabytes in size, and you want to parse it,
872but you cannot load it into memory fully (this has actually happened in
873the real world :).
874
875Well, you lost, you have to implement your own JSON parser. But JSON::XS
876can still help you: You implement a (very simple) array parser and let
877JSON decode the array elements, which are all full JSON objects on their
878own (this wouldn't work if the array elements could be JSON numbers, for
879example):
880
881 my $json = new JSON::XS;
882
883 # open the monster
884 open my $fh, "<bigfile.json"
885 or die "bigfile: $!";
886
887 # first parse the initial "["
888 for (;;) {
889 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
890 or die "read error: $!";
891 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
892
893 # Exit the loop once we found and removed(!) the initial "[".
894 # In essence, we are (ab-)using the $json object as a simple scalar
895 # we append data to.
896 last if $json->incr_text =~ s/^ \s* \[ //x;
897 }
898
899 # now we have the skipped the initial "[", so continue
900 # parsing all the elements.
901 for (;;) {
902 # in this loop we read data until we got a single JSON object
903 for (;;) {
904 if (my $obj = $json->incr_parse) {
905 # do something with $obj
906 last;
907 }
908
909 # add more data
910 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
911 or die "read error: $!";
912 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
913 }
914
915 # in this loop we read data until we either found and parsed the
916 # separating "," between elements, or the final "]"
917 for (;;) {
918 # first skip whitespace
919 $json->incr_text =~ s/^\s*//;
920
921 # if we find "]", we are done
922 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^\]//) {
923 print "finished.\n";
924 exit;
925 }
926
927 # if we find ",", we can continue with the next element
928 if ($json->incr_text =~ s/^,//) {
929 last;
930 }
931
932 # if we find anything else, we have a parse error!
933 if (length $json->incr_text) {
934 die "parse error near ", $json->incr_text;
935 }
936
937 # else add more data
938 sysread $fh, my $buf, 65536
939 or die "read error: $!";
940 $json->incr_parse ($buf); # void context, so no parsing
941 }
942
943This is a complex example, but most of the complexity comes from the fact
944that we are trying to be correct (bear with me if I am wrong, I never ran
945the above example :).
946
648 947
649 948
650=head1 MAPPING 949=head1 MAPPING
651 950
652This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and 951This section describes how JSON::XS maps Perl values to JSON values and
659refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 958refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
660 959
661 960
662=head2 JSON -> PERL 961=head2 JSON -> PERL
663 962
664=over 4 963=over
665 964
666=item object 965=item object
667 966
668A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 967A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
669keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself). 968keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
682 981
683A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or 982A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
684string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On 983string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On
685the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all 984the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
686the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and 985the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
687might represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 986might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
688 987
689If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 988If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
690it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 989it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
691a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 990a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
692precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value. 991precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
992which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
993re-encoded to a JSON string).
693 994
694Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 995Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
695represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 996represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
696precision. 997precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
998the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
697 999
698This might create round-tripping problems as numbers might become strings, 1000Note that precision is not accuracy - binary floating point values cannot
699but as Perl is typeless there is no other way to do it. 1001represent most decimal fractions exactly, and when converting from and to
1002floating point, JSON::XS only guarantees precision up to but not including
1003the least significant bit.
700 1004
701=item true, false 1005=item true, false
702 1006
703These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 1007These JSON atoms become C<Types::Serialiser::true> and
704respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 1008C<Types::Serialiser::false>, respectively. They are overloaded to act
705C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 1009almost exactly like the numbers C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether
706the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 1010a scalar is a JSON boolean by using the C<Types::Serialiser::is_bool>
1011function (after C<use Types::Serialier>, of course).
707 1012
708=item null 1013=item null
709 1014
710A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 1015A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
1016
1017=item shell-style comments (C<< # I<text> >>)
1018
1019As a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax that is enabled by the
1020C<relaxed> setting, shell-style comments are allowed. They can start
1021anywhere outside strings and go till the end of the line.
1022
1023=item tagged values (C<< (I<tag>)I<value> >>).
1024
1025Another nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax, enabled with the
1026C<allow_tags> setting, are tagged values. In this implementation, the
1027I<tag> must be a perl package/class name encoded as a JSON string, and the
1028I<value> must be a JSON array encoding optional constructor arguments.
1029
1030See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION>, below, for details.
711 1031
712=back 1032=back
713 1033
714 1034
715=head2 PERL -> JSON 1035=head2 PERL -> JSON
716 1036
717The mapping from Perl to JSON is slightly more difficult, as Perl is a 1037The mapping from Perl to JSON is slightly more difficult, as Perl is a
718truly typeless language, so we can only guess which JSON type is meant by 1038truly typeless language, so we can only guess which JSON type is meant by
719a Perl value. 1039a Perl value.
720 1040
721=over 4 1041=over
722 1042
723=item hash references 1043=item hash references
724 1044
725Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent ordering 1045Perl hash references become JSON objects. As there is no inherent
726in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded in a 1046ordering in hash keys (or JSON objects), they will usually be encoded
727pseudo-random order that can change between runs of the same program but 1047in a pseudo-random order. JSON::XS can optionally sort the hash keys
728stays generally the same within a single run of a program. JSON::XS can 1048(determined by the I<canonical> flag), so the same datastructure will
729optionally sort the hash keys (determined by the I<canonical> flag), so 1049serialise to the same JSON text (given same settings and version of
730the same datastructure will serialise to the same JSON text (given same 1050JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead and is only rarely useful,
731settings and version of JSON::XS), but this incurs a runtime overhead 1051e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text against another for equality.
732and is only rarely useful, e.g. when you want to compare some JSON text
733against another for equality.
734 1052
735=item array references 1053=item array references
736 1054
737Perl array references become JSON arrays. 1055Perl array references become JSON arrays.
738 1056
739=item other references 1057=item other references
740 1058
741Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 1059Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
742exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 1060exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
743C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 1061C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON.
744also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
745 1062
1063Since C<JSON::XS> uses the boolean model from L<Types::Serialiser>, you
1064can also C<use Types::Serialiser> and then use C<Types::Serialiser::false>
1065and C<Types::Serialiser::true> to improve readability.
1066
1067 use Types::Serialiser;
746 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 1068 encode_json [\0, Types::Serialiser::true] # yields [false,true]
747 1069
748=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 1070=item Types::Serialiser::true, Types::Serialiser::false
749 1071
750These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 1072These special values from the L<Types::Serialiser> module become JSON true
751respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 1073and JSON false values, respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0>
1074directly if you want.
752 1075
753=item blessed objects 1076=item blessed objects
754 1077
755Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 1078Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON, but C<JSON::XS>
756underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 1079allows various ways of handling objects. See L<OBJECT SERIALISATION>,
757change in future versions. 1080below, for details.
758 1081
759=item simple scalars 1082=item simple scalars
760 1083
761Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 1084Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
762difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 1085difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
763JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 1086JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
764before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 1087before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
765 1088
766 # dump as number 1089 # dump as number
767 to_json [2] # yields [2] 1090 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
768 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 1091 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
769 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 1092 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
770 1093
771 # used as string, so dump as string 1094 # used as string, so dump as string
772 print $value; 1095 print $value;
773 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 1096 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
774 1097
775 # undef becomes null 1098 # undef becomes null
776 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 1099 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
777 1100
778You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it: 1101You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
779 1102
780 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 1103 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
781 "$x"; # stringified 1104 "$x"; # stringified
787 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 1110 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
788 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 1111 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
789 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours. 1112 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
790 1113
791You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me 1114You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
792if you need this capability. 1115if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why it's needed
1116:).
1117
1118Note that numerical precision has the same meaning as under Perl (so
1119binary to decimal conversion follows the same rules as in Perl, which
1120can differ to other languages). Also, your perl interpreter might expose
1121extensions to the floating point numbers of your platform, such as
1122infinities or NaN's - these cannot be represented in JSON, and it is an
1123error to pass those in.
793 1124
794=back 1125=back
795 1126
1127=head2 OBJECT SERIALISATION
796 1128
797=head1 COMPARISON 1129As JSON cannot directly represent Perl objects, you have to choose between
1130a pure JSON representation (without the ability to deserialise the object
1131automatically again), and a nonstandard extension to the JSON syntax,
1132tagged values.
798 1133
799As already mentioned, this module was created because none of the existing 1134=head3 SERIALISATION
800JSON modules could be made to work correctly. First I will describe the
801problems (or pleasures) I encountered with various existing JSON modules,
802followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer
803from any of these problems or limitations.
804 1135
1136What happens when C<JSON::XS> encounters a Perl object depends on the
1137C<allow_blessed>, C<convert_blessed> and C<allow_tags> settings, which are
1138used in this order:
1139
805=over 4 1140=over
806 1141
807=item JSON 1.07 1142=item 1. C<allow_tags> is enabled and the object has a C<FREEZE> method.
808 1143
809Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 1144In this case, C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> object
1145serialisation protocol to create a tagged JSON value, using a nonstandard
1146extension to the JSON syntax.
810 1147
811Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles Unicode values is 1148This works by invoking the C<FREEZE> method on the object, with the first
812undocumented. One can get far by feeding it Unicode strings and doing 1149argument being the object to serialise, and the second argument being the
813en-/decoding oneself, but Unicode escapes are not working properly). 1150constant string C<JSON> to distinguish it from other serialisers.
814 1151
815No round-tripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 1152The C<FREEZE> method can return any number of values (i.e. zero or
816the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will 1153more). These values and the paclkage/classname of the object will then be
817decode into the number 2. 1154encoded as a tagged JSON value in the following format:
818 1155
819=item JSON::PC 0.01 1156 ("classname")[FREEZE return values...]
820 1157
821Very fast. 1158e.g.:
822 1159
823Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 1160 ("URI")["http://www.google.com/"]
1161 ("MyDate")[2013,10,29]
1162 ("ImageData::JPEG")["Z3...VlCg=="]
824 1163
825No round-tripping. 1164For example, the hypothetical C<My::Object> C<FREEZE> method might use the
1165objects C<type> and C<id> members to encode the object:
826 1166
827Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 1167 sub My::Object::FREEZE {
828values will make it croak). 1168 my ($self, $serialiser) = @_;
829 1169
830Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 1170 ($self->{type}, $self->{id})
831which is not a valid JSON text. 1171 }
832 1172
833Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1173=item 2. C<convert_blessed> is enabled and the object has a C<TO_JSON> method.
834getting fixed).
835 1174
836=item JSON::Syck 0.21 1175In this case, the C<TO_JSON> method of the object is invoked in scalar
1176context. It must return a single scalar that can be directly encoded into
1177JSON. This scalar replaces the object in the JSON text.
837 1178
838Very buggy (often crashes). 1179For example, the following C<TO_JSON> method will convert all L<URI>
1180objects to JSON strings when serialised. The fatc that these values
1181originally were L<URI> objects is lost.
839 1182
840Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 1183 sub URI::TO_JSON {
841undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 1184 my ($uri) = @_;
842single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to 1185 $uri->as_string
843generate ASCII-only JSON texts). 1186 }
844 1187
845Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (Unicode 1188=item 3. C<allow_blessed> is enabled.
846escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to
847I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour).
848 1189
849No round-tripping (simple cases work, but this depends on whether the scalar 1190The object will be serialised as a JSON null value.
850value was used in a numeric context or not).
851 1191
852Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state. 1192=item 4. none of the above
853 1193
854Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1194If none of the settings are enabled or the respective methods are missing,
855getting fixed). 1195C<JSON::XS> throws an exception.
856
857Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and
858return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security
859issue: imagine two banks transferring money between each other using
860JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
861while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
862good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
863the transaction will still not succeed).
864
865=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
866
867Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
868
869Undocumented Unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
870still don't get parsed properly).
871
872Very inflexible.
873
874No round-tripping.
875
876Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
877result in nothing being output)
878
879Does not check input for validity.
880 1196
881=back 1197=back
882 1198
1199=head3 DESERIALISATION
1200
1201For deserialisation there are only two cases to consider: either
1202nonstandard tagging was used, in which case C<allow_tags> decides,
1203or objects cannot be automatically be deserialised, in which
1204case you can use postprocessing or the C<filter_json_object> or
1205C<filter_json_single_key_object> callbacks to get some real objects our of
1206your JSON.
1207
1208This section only considers the tagged value case: I a tagged JSON object
1209is encountered during decoding and C<allow_tags> is disabled, a parse
1210error will result (as if tagged values were not part of the grammar).
1211
1212If C<allow_tags> is enabled, C<JSON::XS> will look up the C<THAW> method
1213of the package/classname used during serialisation (it will not attempt
1214to load the package as a Perl module). If there is no such method, the
1215decoding will fail with an error.
1216
1217Otherwise, the C<THAW> method is invoked with the classname as first
1218argument, the constant string C<JSON> as second argument, and all the
1219values from the JSON array (the values originally returned by the
1220C<FREEZE> method) as remaining arguments.
1221
1222The method must then return the object. While technically you can return
1223any Perl scalar, you might have to enable the C<enable_nonref> setting to
1224make that work in all cases, so better return an actual blessed reference.
1225
1226As an example, let's implement a C<THAW> function that regenerates the
1227C<My::Object> from the C<FREEZE> example earlier:
1228
1229 sub My::Object::THAW {
1230 my ($class, $serialiser, $type, $id) = @_;
1231
1232 $class->new (type => $type, id => $id)
1233 }
1234
1235
1236=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
1237
1238The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
1239encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
1240some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
1241
1242C<utf8> controls whether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
1243by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
1244control whether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
1245codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
1246some combinations make less sense than others.
1247
1248Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
1249C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
1250these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
1251- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
1252decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
1253
1254Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
1255simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
1256takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
1257octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
1258and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
1259the same time, which can be confusing.
1260
1261=over
1262
1263=item C<utf8> flag disabled
1264
1265When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
1266and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
1267values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
1268characters are decoded as-is, no changes to them will be done, except
1269"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
1270respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
1271funny/weird/dumb stuff).
1272
1273This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
1274want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
1275the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
1276filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
1277to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
1278
1279=item C<utf8> flag enabled
1280
1281If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
1282characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
1283expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
1284of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
1285that.
1286
1287The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
1288will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get a UTF-8 encoded
1289octet/binary string in Perl.
1290
1291=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
1292
1293With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
1294with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
1295characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
1296
1297If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
1298character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
1299Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
1300ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
1301the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
1302
1303If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
1304regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
1305C<\uXXXX> then before.
1306
1307Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
1308encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
1309encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
1310a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
1311
1312Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
1313values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
1314to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
1315Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
1316
1317So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
1318they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
1319
1320The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
1321as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
1322
1323The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
1324with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
1325as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
13268-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
1327when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
1328might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
1329proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
1330
1331=back
1332
1333
1334=head2 JSON and ECMAscript
1335
1336JSON syntax is based on how literals are represented in javascript (the
1337not-standardised predecessor of ECMAscript) which is presumably why it is
1338called "JavaScript Object Notation".
1339
1340However, JSON is not a subset (and also not a superset of course) of
1341ECMAscript (the standard) or javascript (whatever browsers actually
1342implement).
1343
1344If you want to use javascript's C<eval> function to "parse" JSON, you
1345might run into parse errors for valid JSON texts, or the resulting data
1346structure might not be queryable:
1347
1348One of the problems is that U+2028 and U+2029 are valid characters inside
1349JSON strings, but are not allowed in ECMAscript string literals, so the
1350following Perl fragment will not output something that can be guaranteed
1351to be parsable by javascript's C<eval>:
1352
1353 use JSON::XS;
1354
1355 print encode_json [chr 0x2028];
1356
1357The right fix for this is to use a proper JSON parser in your javascript
1358programs, and not rely on C<eval> (see for example Douglas Crockford's
1359F<json2.js> parser).
1360
1361If this is not an option, you can, as a stop-gap measure, simply encode to
1362ASCII-only JSON:
1363
1364 use JSON::XS;
1365
1366 print JSON::XS->new->ascii->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1367
1368Note that this will enlarge the resulting JSON text quite a bit if you
1369have many non-ASCII characters. You might be tempted to run some regexes
1370to only escape U+2028 and U+2029, e.g.:
1371
1372 # DO NOT USE THIS!
1373 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ([chr 0x2028]);
1374 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa8/\\u2028/g; # escape U+2028
1375 $json =~ s/\xe2\x80\xa9/\\u2029/g; # escape U+2029
1376 print $json;
1377
1378Note that I<this is a bad idea>: the above only works for U+2028 and
1379U+2029 and thus only for fully ECMAscript-compliant parsers. Many existing
1380javascript implementations, however, have issues with other characters as
1381well - using C<eval> naively simply I<will> cause problems.
1382
1383Another problem is that some javascript implementations reserve
1384some property names for their own purposes (which probably makes
1385them non-ECMAscript-compliant). For example, Iceweasel reserves the
1386C<__proto__> property name for its own purposes.
1387
1388If that is a problem, you could parse try to filter the resulting JSON
1389output for these property strings, e.g.:
1390
1391 $json =~ s/"__proto__"\s*:/"__proto__renamed":/g;
1392
1393This works because C<__proto__> is not valid outside of strings, so every
1394occurrence of C<"__proto__"\s*:> must be a string used as property name.
1395
1396If you know of other incompatibilities, please let me know.
1397
883 1398
884=head2 JSON and YAML 1399=head2 JSON and YAML
885 1400
886You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1401You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
887however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1402hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
888no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1403so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1404JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1405cases.
889 1406
890If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1407If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
891algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1408algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
892 1409
893 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1410 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
894 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1411 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
895 1412
896This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1413This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
897YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1414YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
898lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1415lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1416unicode character escape syntax, so you should make sure that your hash
899keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1417keys are noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows
1418and that you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the
1419Unicode BMP (basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/>
1420sequences in strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but
1421other JSON generators might).
900 1422
901There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1423There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1424specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
902you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1425general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
903or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1426versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
904that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1427high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1428least expect it.
1429
1430=over
1431
1432=item (*)
1433
1434I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1435authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1436acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1437bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1438educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1439problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1440and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1441
1442In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1443clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1444proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1445that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1446educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1447real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1448point out that it isn't true.
1449
1450Addendum/2009: the YAML 1.2 spec is still incompatible with JSON, even
1451though the incompatibilities have been documented (and are known to Brian)
1452for many years and the spec makes explicit claims that YAML is a superset
1453of JSON. It would be so easy to fix, but apparently, bullying people and
1454corrupting userdata is so much easier.
1455
1456=back
905 1457
906 1458
907=head2 SPEED 1459=head2 SPEED
908 1460
909It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1461It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
910tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1462tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
911in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1463in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
912system. 1464system.
913 1465
914First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1466First comes a comparison between various modules using
915single-line JSON string: 1467a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1468L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
916 1469
917 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1470 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1",
918 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1471 "we were just talking"], "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7,
1472 1, 0]}
919 1473
920It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1474It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
921the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1475the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
922with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1476with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
923shrink). Higher is better: 1477shrink. JSON::DWIW/DS uses the deserialise function, while JSON::DWIW::FJ
1478uses the from_json method). Higher is better:
924 1479
925 module | encode | decode | 1480 module | encode | decode |
926 -----------|------------|------------| 1481 --------------|------------|------------|
927 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1482 JSON::DWIW/DS | 86302.551 | 102300.098 |
928 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1483 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 86302.551 | 75983.768 |
929 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1484 JSON::PP | 15827.562 | 6638.658 |
930 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1485 JSON::Syck | 63358.066 | 47662.545 |
931 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1486 JSON::XS | 511500.488 | 511500.488 |
932 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1487 JSON::XS/2 | 291271.111 | 388361.481 |
933 JSON::XS/2 | 227951.304 | 218453.333 | 1488 JSON::XS/3 | 361577.931 | 361577.931 |
934 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1489 Storable | 66788.280 | 265462.278 |
935 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
936 -----------+------------+------------+ 1490 --------------+------------+------------+
937 1491
938That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1492That is, JSON::XS is almost six times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
939about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster 1493about five times faster on decoding, and over thirty to seventy times
940than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1494faster than JSON's pure perl implementation. It also compares favourably
941favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1495to Storable for small amounts of data.
942 1496
943Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1497Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
944search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1498search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
945 1499
946 module | encode | decode | 1500 module | encode | decode |
947 -----------|------------|------------| 1501 --------------|------------|------------|
948 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1502 JSON::DWIW/DS | 1647.927 | 2673.916 |
949 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1503 JSON::DWIW/FJ | 1630.249 | 2596.128 |
950 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
951 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1504 JSON::PP | 400.640 | 62.311 |
952 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1505 JSON::Syck | 1481.040 | 1524.869 |
953 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1506 JSON::XS | 20661.596 | 9541.183 |
954 JSON::XS/2 | 3869.998 | 4798.975 | 1507 JSON::XS/2 | 10683.403 | 9416.938 |
955 JSON::XS/3 | 5862.880 | 4798.975 | 1508 JSON::XS/3 | 20661.596 | 9400.054 |
956 Storable | 4445.002 | 5235.027 | 1509 Storable | 19765.806 | 10000.725 |
957 -----------+------------+------------+ 1510 --------------+------------+------------+
958 1511
959Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1512Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
960decodes faster). 1513decodes a bit faster).
961 1514
962On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules 1515On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
963(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1516(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
964will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse 1517will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
965to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1518to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
986 1539
987Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1540Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
988arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1541arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
989machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1542machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
990only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1543only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
991to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1544to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
992conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1545conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
993has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1546has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
994C<max_depth> method. 1547C<max_depth> method.
995 1548
996And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1549Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
997of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1550case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
998though... 1551
1552Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1553structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1554information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1555will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
999 1556
1000If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1557If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
1001by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1558by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
1002L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether 1559L<http://blog.archive.jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security/> to
1003you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1560see whether you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really
1004design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1561are browser design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with
1005browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1562it, as major browser developers care only for features, not about getting
1006right). 1563security right).
1007 1564
1008 1565
1566=head2 "OLD" VS. "NEW" JSON (RFC4627 VS. RFC7159)
1567
1568JSON originally required JSON texts to represent an array or object -
1569scalar values were explicitly not allowed. This has changed, and versions
1570of JSON::XS beginning with C<4.0> reflect this by allowing scalar values
1571by default.
1572
1573One reason why one might not want this is that this removes a fundamental
1574property of JSON texts, namely that they are self-delimited and
1575self-contained, or in other words, you could take any number of "old"
1576JSON texts and paste them together, and the result would be unambiguously
1577parseable:
1578
1579 [1,3]{"k":5}[][null] # four JSON texts, without doubt
1580
1581By allowing scalars, this property is lost: in the following example, is
1582this one JSON text (the number 12) or two JSON texts (the numbers 1 and
15832):
1584
1585 12 # could be 12, or 1 and 2
1586
1587Another lost property of "old" JSON is that no lookahead is required to
1588know the end of a JSON text, i.e. the JSON text definitely ended at the
1589last C<]> or C<}> character, there was no need to read extra characters.
1590
1591For example, a viable network protocol with "old" JSON was to simply
1592exchange JSON texts without delimiter. For "new" JSON, you have to use a
1593suitable delimiter (such as a newline) after every JSON text or ensure you
1594never encode/decode scalar values.
1595
1596Most protocols do work by only transferring arrays or objects, and the
1597easiest way to avoid problems with the "new" JSON definition is to
1598explicitly disallow scalar values in your encoder and decoder:
1599
1600 $json_coder = JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref (0)
1601
1602This is a somewhat unhappy situation, and the blame can fully be put on
1603JSON's inmventor, Douglas Crockford, who unilaterally changed the format
1604in 2006 without consulting the IETF, forcing the IETF to either fork the
1605format or go with it (as I was told, the IETF wasn't amused).
1606
1607
1608=head1 RELATIONSHIP WITH I-JSON
1609
1610JSON is a somewhat sloppily-defined format - it carries around obvious
1611Javascript baggage, such as not really defining number range, probably
1612because Javascript only has one type of numbers: IEEE 64 bit floats
1613("binary64").
1614
1615For this reaosn, RFC7493 defines "Internet JSON", which is a restricted
1616subset of JSON that is supposedly more interoperable on the internet.
1617
1618While C<JSON::XS> does not offer specific support for I-JSON, it of course
1619accepts valid I-JSON and by default implements some of the limitations
1620of I-JSON, such as parsing numbers as perl numbers, which are usually a
1621superset of binary64 numbers.
1622
1623To generate I-JSON, follow these rules:
1624
1625=over
1626
1627=item * always generate UTF-8
1628
1629I-JSON must be encoded in UTF-8, the default for C<encode_json>.
1630
1631=item * numbers should be within IEEE 754 binary64 range
1632
1633Basically all existing perl installations use binary64 to represent
1634floating point numbers, so all you need to do is to avoid large integers.
1635
1636=item * objects must not have duplicate keys
1637
1638This is trivially done, as C<JSON::XS> does not allow duplicate keys.
1639
1640=item * do not generate scalar JSON texts, use C<< ->allow_nonref (0) >>
1641
1642I-JSON strongly requests you to only encode arrays and objects into JSON.
1643
1644=item * times should be strings in ISO 8601 format
1645
1646There are a myriad of modules on CPAN dealing with ISO 8601 - search for
1647C<ISO8601> on CPAN and use one.
1648
1649=item * encode binary data as base64
1650
1651While it's tempting to just dump binary data as a string (and let
1652C<JSON::XS> do the escaping), for I-JSON, it's I<recommended> to encode
1653binary data as base64.
1654
1655=back
1656
1657There are some other considerations - read RFC7493 for the details if
1658interested.
1659
1660
1661=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER MODULES
1662
1663C<JSON::XS> uses the L<Types::Serialiser> module to provide boolean
1664constants. That means that the JSON true and false values will be
1665comaptible to true and false values of other modules that do the same,
1666such as L<JSON::PP> and L<CBOR::XS>.
1667
1668
1669=head1 INTEROPERABILITY WITH OTHER JSON DECODERS
1670
1671As long as you only serialise data that can be directly expressed in JSON,
1672C<JSON::XS> is incapable of generating invalid JSON output (modulo bugs,
1673but C<JSON::XS> has found more bugs in the official JSON testsuite (1)
1674than the official JSON testsuite has found in C<JSON::XS> (0)).
1675
1676When you have trouble decoding JSON generated by this module using other
1677decoders, then it is very likely that you have an encoding mismatch or the
1678other decoder is broken.
1679
1680When decoding, C<JSON::XS> is strict by default and will likely catch all
1681errors. There are currently two settings that change this: C<relaxed>
1682makes C<JSON::XS> accept (but not generate) some non-standard extensions,
1683and C<allow_tags> will allow you to encode and decode Perl objects, at the
1684cost of not outputting valid JSON anymore.
1685
1686=head2 TAGGED VALUE SYNTAX AND STANDARD JSON EN/DECODERS
1687
1688When you use C<allow_tags> to use the extended (and also nonstandard and
1689invalid) JSON syntax for serialised objects, and you still want to decode
1690the generated When you want to serialise objects, you can run a regex
1691to replace the tagged syntax by standard JSON arrays (it only works for
1692"normal" package names without comma, newlines or single colons). First,
1693the readable Perl version:
1694
1695 # if your FREEZE methods return no values, you need this replace first:
1696 $json =~ s/\( \s* (" (?: [^\\":,]+|\\.|::)* ") \s* \) \s* \[\s*\]/[$1]/gx;
1697
1698 # this works for non-empty constructor arg lists:
1699 $json =~ s/\( \s* (" (?: [^\\":,]+|\\.|::)* ") \s* \) \s* \[/[$1,/gx;
1700
1701And here is a less readable version that is easy to adapt to other
1702languages:
1703
1704 $json =~ s/\(\s*("([^\\":,]+|\\.|::)*")\s*\)\s*\[/[$1,/g;
1705
1706Here is an ECMAScript version (same regex):
1707
1708 json = json.replace (/\(\s*("([^\\":,]+|\\.|::)*")\s*\)\s*\[/g, "[$1,");
1709
1710Since this syntax converts to standard JSON arrays, it might be hard to
1711distinguish serialised objects from normal arrays. You can prepend a
1712"magic number" as first array element to reduce chances of a collision:
1713
1714 $json =~ s/\(\s*("([^\\":,]+|\\.|::)*")\s*\)\s*\[/["XU1peReLzT4ggEllLanBYq4G9VzliwKF",$1,/g;
1715
1716And after decoding the JSON text, you could walk the data
1717structure looking for arrays with a first element of
1718C<XU1peReLzT4ggEllLanBYq4G9VzliwKF>.
1719
1720The same approach can be used to create the tagged format with another
1721encoder. First, you create an array with the magic string as first member,
1722the classname as second, and constructor arguments last, encode it as part
1723of your JSON structure, and then:
1724
1725 $json =~ s/\[\s*"XU1peReLzT4ggEllLanBYq4G9VzliwKF"\s*,\s*("([^\\":,]+|\\.|::)*")\s*,/($1)[/g;
1726
1727Again, this has some limitations - the magic string must not be encoded
1728with character escapes, and the constructor arguments must be non-empty.
1729
1730
1009=head1 THREADS 1731=head1 (I-)THREADS
1010 1732
1011This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no 1733This module is I<not> guaranteed to be ithread (or MULTIPLICITY-) safe
1012plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the 1734and there are no plans to change this. Note that perl's builtin so-called
1013horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated 1735threads/ithreads are officially deprecated and should not be used.
1014process simulations - use fork, its I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1015 1736
1016(It might actually work, but you have been warned). 1737
1738=head1 THE PERILS OF SETLOCALE
1739
1740Sometimes people avoid the Perl locale support and directly call the
1741system's setlocale function with C<LC_ALL>.
1742
1743This breaks both perl and modules such as JSON::XS, as stringification of
1744numbers no longer works correctly (e.g. C<$x = 0.1; print "$x"+1> might
1745print C<1>, and JSON::XS might output illegal JSON as JSON::XS relies on
1746perl to stringify numbers).
1747
1748The solution is simple: don't call C<setlocale>, or use it for only those
1749categories you need, such as C<LC_MESSAGES> or C<LC_CTYPE>.
1750
1751If you need C<LC_NUMERIC>, you should enable it only around the code that
1752actually needs it (avoiding stringification of numbers), and restore it
1753afterwards.
1754
1755
1756=head1 SOME HISTORY
1757
1758At the time this module was created there already were a number of JSON
1759modules available on CPAN, so what was the reason to write yet another
1760JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON modules, none of them
1761correctly handled all corner cases, and in most cases their maintainers
1762are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug reports for other
1763reasons.
1764
1765Beginning with version 2.0 of the JSON module, when both JSON and
1766JSON::XS are installed, then JSON will fall back on JSON::XS (this can be
1767overridden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheriting constructor
1768and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the
1769compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS
1770gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need it and
1771doesn't require a C compiler when that is a problem.
1772
1773Somewhere around version 3, this module was forked into
1774C<Cpanel::JSON::XS>, because its maintainer had serious trouble
1775understanding JSON and insisted on a fork with many bugs "fixed" that
1776weren't actually bugs, while spreading FUD about this module without
1777actually giving any details on his accusations. You be the judge, but
1778in my personal opinion, if you want quality, you will stay away from
1779dangerous forks like that.
1017 1780
1018 1781
1019=head1 BUGS 1782=head1 BUGS
1020 1783
1021While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1784While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
1022not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1785not mean it's bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. If you
1023still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1786keep reporting bugs they will be fixed swiftly, though.
1024will be fixed swiftly, though.
1025 1787
1026Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting 1788Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1027service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason. 1789service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
1028 1790
1029=cut 1791=cut
1030 1792
1031our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1793BEGIN {
1032our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1794 *true = \$Types::Serialiser::true;
1795 *true = \&Types::Serialiser::true;
1796 *false = \$Types::Serialiser::false;
1797 *false = \&Types::Serialiser::false;
1798 *is_bool = \&Types::Serialiser::is_bool;
1033 1799
1034sub true() { $true } 1800 *JSON::XS::Boolean:: = *Types::Serialiser::Boolean::;
1035sub false() { $false }
1036
1037sub is_bool($) {
1038 UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::XS::Boolean"
1039# or UNIVERSAL::isa $_[0], "JSON::Literal"
1040} 1801}
1041 1802
1042XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION; 1803XSLoader::load "JSON::XS", $VERSION;
1043 1804
1044package JSON::XS::Boolean; 1805=head1 SEE ALSO
1045 1806
1046use overload 1807The F<json_xs> command line utility for quick experiments.
1047 "0+" => sub { ${$_[0]} },
1048 "++" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} + 1 },
1049 "--" => sub { $_[0] = ${$_[0]} - 1 },
1050 fallback => 1;
1051
10521;
1053 1808
1054=head1 AUTHOR 1809=head1 AUTHOR
1055 1810
1056 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1811 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1057 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1812 http://home.schmorp.de/
1058 1813
1059=cut 1814=cut
1060 1815
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1817

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