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Revision 1.59 by root, Mon Aug 27 01:49:01 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.90 by root, Wed Mar 19 22:28:43 2008 UTC

1=encoding utf-8
2
1=head1 NAME 3=head1 NAME
2 4
3JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast 5JSON::XS - JSON serialising/deserialising, done correctly and fast
6
7JSON::XS - 正しくて高速な JSON シリアライザ/デシリアライザ
8 (http://fleur.hio.jp/perldoc/mix/lib/JSON/XS.html)
4 9
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 10=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 11
7 use JSON::XS; 12 use JSON::XS;
8 13
9 # exported functions, they croak on error 14 # exported functions, they croak on error
10 # and expect/generate UTF-8 15 # and expect/generate UTF-8
11 16
12 $utf8_encoded_json_text = to_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref; 17 $utf8_encoded_json_text = encode_json $perl_hash_or_arrayref;
13 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = from_json $utf8_encoded_json_text; 18 $perl_hash_or_arrayref = decode_json $utf8_encoded_json_text;
14 19
15 # OO-interface 20 # OO-interface
16 21
17 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref; 22 $coder = JSON::XS->new->ascii->pretty->allow_nonref;
18 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar); 23 $pretty_printed_unencoded = $coder->encode ($perl_scalar);
19 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text); 24 $perl_scalar = $coder->decode ($unicode_json_text);
20 25
26 # Note that JSON version 2.0 and above will automatically use JSON::XS
27 # if available, at virtually no speed overhead either, so you should
28 # be able to just:
29
30 use JSON;
31
32 # and do the same things, except that you have a pure-perl fallback now.
33
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 34=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 35
23This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its 36This module converts Perl data structures to JSON and vice versa. Its
24primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be 37primary goal is to be I<correct> and its secondary goal is to be
25I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C. 38I<fast>. To reach the latter goal it was written in C.
39
40Beginning with version 2.0 of the JSON module, when both JSON and
41JSON::XS are installed, then JSON will fall back on JSON::XS (this can be
42overriden) with no overhead due to emulation (by inheritign constructor
43and methods). If JSON::XS is not available, it will fall back to the
44compatible JSON::PP module as backend, so using JSON instead of JSON::XS
45gives you a portable JSON API that can be fast when you need and doesn't
46require a C compiler when that is a problem.
26 47
27As this is the n-th-something JSON module on CPAN, what was the reason 48As this is the n-th-something JSON module on CPAN, what was the reason
28to write yet another JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON 49to write yet another JSON module? While it seems there are many JSON
29modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases 50modules, none of them correctly handle all corner cases, and in most cases
30their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug 51their maintainers are unresponsive, gone missing, or not listening to bug
37 58
38=head2 FEATURES 59=head2 FEATURES
39 60
40=over 4 61=over 4
41 62
42=item * correct unicode handling 63=item * correct Unicode handling
43 64
44This module knows how to handle Unicode, and even documents how and when 65This module knows how to handle Unicode, documents how and when it does
45it does so. 66so, and even documents what "correct" means.
46 67
47=item * round-trip integrity 68=item * round-trip integrity
48 69
49When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported 70When you serialise a perl data structure using only datatypes supported
50by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level. 71by JSON, the deserialised data structure is identical on the Perl level.
51(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks 72(e.g. the string "2.0" doesn't suddenly become "2" just because it looks
52like a number). 73like a number). There minor I<are> exceptions to this, read the MAPPING
74section below to learn about those.
53 75
54=item * strict checking of JSON correctness 76=item * strict checking of JSON correctness
55 77
56There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default, 78There is no guessing, no generating of illegal JSON texts by default,
57and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security 79and only JSON is accepted as input by default (the latter is a security
58feature). 80feature).
59 81
60=item * fast 82=item * fast
61 83
62Compared to other JSON modules, this module compares favourably in terms 84Compared to other JSON modules and other serialisers such as Storable,
63of speed, too. 85this module usually compares favourably in terms of speed, too.
64 86
65=item * simple to use 87=item * simple to use
66 88
67This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an OO 89This module has both a simple functional interface as well as an objetc
68interface. 90oriented interface interface.
69 91
70=item * reasonably versatile output formats 92=item * reasonably versatile output formats
71 93
72You can choose between the most compact guarenteed single-line format 94You can choose between the most compact guaranteed-single-line format
73possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format 95possible (nice for simple line-based protocols), a pure-ascii format
74(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole 96(for when your transport is not 8-bit clean, still supports the whole
75unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that 97Unicode range), or a pretty-printed format (for when you want to read that
76stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like. 98stuff). Or you can combine those features in whatever way you like.
77 99
78=back 100=back
79 101
80=cut 102=cut
81 103
82package JSON::XS; 104package JSON::XS;
83 105
84use strict; 106use strict;
85 107
86our $VERSION = '1.5'; 108our $VERSION = '2.1';
87our @ISA = qw(Exporter); 109our @ISA = qw(Exporter);
88 110
89our @EXPORT = qw(to_json from_json); 111our @EXPORT = qw(encode_json decode_json to_json from_json);
112
113sub to_json($) {
114 require Carp;
115 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::to_json has been renamed to encode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
116}
117
118sub from_json($) {
119 require Carp;
120 Carp::croak ("JSON::XS::from_json has been renamed to decode_json, either downgrade to pre-2.0 versions of JSON::XS or rename the call");
121}
90 122
91use Exporter; 123use Exporter;
92use XSLoader; 124use XSLoader;
93 125
94=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE 126=head1 FUNCTIONAL INTERFACE
95 127
96The following convinience methods are provided by this module. They are 128The following convenience methods are provided by this module. They are
97exported by default: 129exported by default:
98 130
99=over 4 131=over 4
100 132
101=item $json_text = to_json $perl_scalar 133=item $json_text = encode_json $perl_scalar
102 134
103Converts the given Perl data structure (a simple scalar or a reference to 135Converts the given Perl data structure to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string
104a hash or array) to a UTF-8 encoded, binary string (that is, the string contains 136(that is, the string contains octets only). Croaks on error.
105octets only). Croaks on error.
106 137
107This function call is functionally identical to: 138This function call is functionally identical to:
108 139
109 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar) 140 $json_text = JSON::XS->new->utf8->encode ($perl_scalar)
110 141
111except being faster. 142except being faster.
112 143
113=item $perl_scalar = from_json $json_text 144=item $perl_scalar = decode_json $json_text
114 145
115The opposite of C<to_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries to 146The opposite of C<encode_json>: expects an UTF-8 (binary) string and tries
116parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting simple 147to parse that as an UTF-8 encoded JSON text, returning the resulting
117scalar or reference. Croaks on error. 148reference. Croaks on error.
118 149
119This function call is functionally identical to: 150This function call is functionally identical to:
120 151
121 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text) 152 $perl_scalar = JSON::XS->new->utf8->decode ($json_text)
122 153
132Perl. 163Perl.
133 164
134=back 165=back
135 166
136 167
168=head1 A FEW NOTES ON UNICODE AND PERL
169
170Since this often leads to confusion, here are a few very clear words on
171how Unicode works in Perl, modulo bugs.
172
173=over 4
174
175=item 1. Perl strings can store characters with ordinal values > 255.
176
177This enables you to store Unicode characters as single characters in a
178Perl string - very natural.
179
180=item 2. Perl does I<not> associate an encoding with your strings.
181
182... until you force it to, e.g. when matching it against a regex, or
183printing the scalar to a file, in which case Perl either interprets your
184string as locale-encoded text, octets/binary, or as Unicode, depending
185on various settings. In no case is an encoding stored together with your
186data, it is I<use> that decides encoding, not any magical meta data.
187
188=item 3. The internal utf-8 flag has no meaning with regards to the
189encoding of your string.
190
191Just ignore that flag unless you debug a Perl bug, a module written in
192XS or want to dive into the internals of perl. Otherwise it will only
193confuse you, as, despite the name, it says nothing about how your string
194is encoded. You can have Unicode strings with that flag set, with that
195flag clear, and you can have binary data with that flag set and that flag
196clear. Other possibilities exist, too.
197
198If you didn't know about that flag, just the better, pretend it doesn't
199exist.
200
201=item 4. A "Unicode String" is simply a string where each character can be
202validly interpreted as a Unicode codepoint.
203
204If you have UTF-8 encoded data, it is no longer a Unicode string, but a
205Unicode string encoded in UTF-8, giving you a binary string.
206
207=item 5. A string containing "high" (> 255) character values is I<not> a UTF-8 string.
208
209It's a fact. Learn to live with it.
210
211=back
212
213I hope this helps :)
214
215
137=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE 216=head1 OBJECT-ORIENTED INTERFACE
138 217
139The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or 218The object oriented interface lets you configure your own encoding or
140decoding style, within the limits of supported formats. 219decoding style, within the limits of supported formats.
141 220
152 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]}) 231 my $json = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after->encode ({a => [1,2]})
153 => {"a": [1, 2]} 232 => {"a": [1, 2]}
154 233
155=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable]) 234=item $json = $json->ascii ([$enable])
156 235
236=item $enabled = $json->get_ascii
237
157If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 238If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
158generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any 239generate characters outside the code range C<0..127> (which is ASCII). Any
159unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a 240Unicode characters outside that range will be escaped using either a
160single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence, 241single \uXXXX (BMP characters) or a double \uHHHH\uLLLLL escape sequence,
161as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native 242as per RFC4627. The resulting encoded JSON text can be treated as a native
162unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string, 243Unicode string, an ascii-encoded, latin1-encoded or UTF-8 encoded string,
163or any other superset of ASCII. 244or any other superset of ASCII.
164 245
165If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 246If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
166characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results 247characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. This results
167in a faster and more compact format. 248in a faster and more compact format.
168 249
250See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
251document.
252
169The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be 253The main use for this flag is to produce JSON texts that can be
170transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not 254transmitted over a 7-bit channel, as the encoded JSON texts will not
171contain any 8 bit characters. 255contain any 8 bit characters.
172 256
173 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401]) 257 JSON::XS->new->ascii (1)->encode ([chr 0x10401])
174 => ["\ud801\udc01"] 258 => ["\ud801\udc01"]
175 259
176=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable]) 260=item $json = $json->latin1 ([$enable])
177 261
262=item $enabled = $json->get_latin1
263
178If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 264If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
179the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters 265the resulting JSON text as latin1 (or iso-8859-1), escaping any characters
180outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a 266outside the code range C<0..255>. The resulting string can be treated as a
181latin1-encoded JSON text or a native unicode string. The C<decode> method 267latin1-encoded JSON text or a native Unicode string. The C<decode> method
182will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default 268will not be affected in any way by this flag, as C<decode> by default
183expects unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1. 269expects Unicode, which is a strict superset of latin1.
184 270
185If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode 271If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not escape Unicode
186characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags. 272characters unless required by the JSON syntax or other flags.
273
274See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
275document.
187 276
188The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON 277The main use for this flag is efficiently encoding binary data as JSON
189text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded 278text, as most octets will not be escaped, resulting in a smaller encoded
190size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded 279size. The disadvantage is that the resulting JSON text is encoded
191in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and 280in latin1 (and must correctly be treated as such when storing and
192transfering), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when 281transferring), a rare encoding for JSON. It is therefore most useful when
193you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently 282you want to store data structures known to contain binary data efficiently
194in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders. 283in files or databases, not when talking to other JSON encoders/decoders.
195 284
196 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"] 285 JSON::XS->new->latin1->encode (["\x{89}\x{abc}"]
197 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not) 286 => ["\x{89}\\u0abc"] # (perl syntax, U+abc escaped, U+89 not)
198 287
199=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable]) 288=item $json = $json->utf8 ([$enable])
289
290=item $enabled = $json->get_utf8
200 291
201If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode 292If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will encode
202the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the 293the JSON result into UTF-8, as required by many protocols, while the
203C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please 294C<decode> method expects to be handled an UTF-8-encoded string. Please
204note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the 295note that UTF-8-encoded strings do not contain any characters outside the
205range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future 296range C<0..255>, they are thus useful for bytewise/binary I/O. In future
206versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16 297versions, enabling this option might enable autodetection of the UTF-16
207and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627. 298and UTF-32 encoding families, as described in RFC4627.
208 299
209If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON 300If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will return the JSON
210string as a (non-encoded) unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a 301string as a (non-encoded) Unicode string, while C<decode> expects thus a
211unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs 302Unicode string. Any decoding or encoding (e.g. to UTF-8 or UTF-16) needs
212to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module. 303to be done yourself, e.g. using the Encode module.
304
305See also the section I<ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES> later in this
306document.
213 307
214Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON: 308Example, output UTF-16BE-encoded JSON:
215 309
216 use Encode; 310 use Encode;
217 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object); 311 $jsontext = encode "UTF-16BE", JSON::XS->new->encode ($object);
238 ] 332 ]
239 } 333 }
240 334
241=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable]) 335=item $json = $json->indent ([$enable])
242 336
337=item $enabled = $json->get_indent
338
243If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline 339If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will use a multiline
244format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair 340format as output, putting every array member or object/hash key-value pair
245into its own line, identing them properly. 341into its own line, indenting them properly.
246 342
247If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the 343If C<$enable> is false, no newlines or indenting will be produced, and the
248resulting JSON text is guarenteed not to contain any C<newlines>. 344resulting JSON text is guaranteed not to contain any C<newlines>.
249 345
250This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 346This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
251 347
252=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable]) 348=item $json = $json->space_before ([$enable])
349
350=item $enabled = $json->get_space_before
253 351
254If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 352If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
255optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects. 353optional space before the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects.
256 354
257If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra 355If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will not add any extra
263Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled: 361Example, space_before enabled, space_after and indent disabled:
264 362
265 {"key" :"value"} 363 {"key" :"value"}
266 364
267=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable]) 365=item $json = $json->space_after ([$enable])
366
367=item $enabled = $json->get_space_after
268 368
269If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra 369If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will add an extra
270optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects 370optional space after the C<:> separating keys from values in JSON objects
271and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array 371and extra whitespace after the C<,> separating key-value pairs and array
272members. 372members.
279Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled: 379Example, space_before and indent disabled, space_after enabled:
280 380
281 {"key": "value"} 381 {"key": "value"}
282 382
283=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable]) 383=item $json = $json->relaxed ([$enable])
384
385=item $enabled = $json->get_relaxed
284 386
285If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some 387If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<decode> will accept some
286extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be 388extensions to normal JSON syntax (see below). C<encode> will not be
287affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid 389affected in anyway. I<Be aware that this option makes you accept invalid
288JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to 390JSON texts as if they were valid!>. I suggest only to use this option to
310 { 412 {
311 "k1": "v1", 413 "k1": "v1",
312 "k2": "v2", <- this comma not normally allowed 414 "k2": "v2", <- this comma not normally allowed
313 } 415 }
314 416
417=item * shell-style '#'-comments
418
419Whenever JSON allows whitespace, shell-style comments are additionally
420allowed. They are terminated by the first carriage-return or line-feed
421character, after which more white-space and comments are allowed.
422
423 [
424 1, # this comment not allowed in JSON
425 # neither this one...
426 ]
427
315=back 428=back
316 429
317=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable]) 430=item $json = $json->canonical ([$enable])
431
432=item $enabled = $json->get_canonical
318 433
319If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects 434If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will output JSON objects
320by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead. 435by sorting their keys. This is adding a comparatively high overhead.
321 436
322If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value 437If C<$enable> is false, then the C<encode> method will output key-value
323pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs 438pairs in the order Perl stores them (which will likely change between runs
324of the same script). 439of the same script).
325 440
326This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as 441This option is useful if you want the same data structure to be encoded as
327the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled, 442the same JSON text (given the same overall settings). If it is disabled,
328the same hash migh be encoded differently even if contains the same data, 443the same hash might be encoded differently even if contains the same data,
329as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl. 444as key-value pairs have no inherent ordering in Perl.
330 445
331This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts. 446This setting has no effect when decoding JSON texts.
332 447
333=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable]) 448=item $json = $json->allow_nonref ([$enable])
449
450=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_nonref
334 451
335If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a 452If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method can convert a
336non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value, 453non-reference into its corresponding string, number or null JSON value,
337which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON 454which is an extension to RFC4627. Likewise, C<decode> will accept those JSON
338values instead of croaking. 455values instead of croaking.
348 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!") 465 JSON::XS->new->allow_nonref->encode ("Hello, World!")
349 => "Hello, World!" 466 => "Hello, World!"
350 467
351=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable]) 468=item $json = $json->allow_blessed ([$enable])
352 469
470=item $enabled = $json->get_allow_blessed
471
353If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not 472If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then the C<encode> method will not
354barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the 473barf when it encounters a blessed reference. Instead, the value of the
355B<convert_blessed> option will decide wether C<null> (C<convert_blessed> 474B<convert_blessed> option will decide whether C<null> (C<convert_blessed>
356disabled or no C<to_json> method found) or a representation of the 475disabled or no C<TO_JSON> method found) or a representation of the
357object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<to_json> method found) is being 476object (C<convert_blessed> enabled and C<TO_JSON> method found) is being
358encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>. 477encoded. Has no effect on C<decode>.
359 478
360If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an 479If C<$enable> is false (the default), then C<encode> will throw an
361exception when it encounters a blessed object. 480exception when it encounters a blessed object.
362 481
363=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable]) 482=item $json = $json->convert_blessed ([$enable])
483
484=item $enabled = $json->get_convert_blessed
364 485
365If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a 486If C<$enable> is true (or missing), then C<encode>, upon encountering a
366blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method 487blessed object, will check for the availability of the C<TO_JSON> method
367on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context 488on the object's class. If found, it will be called in scalar context
368and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no 489and the resulting scalar will be encoded instead of the object. If no
372The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON> 493The C<TO_JSON> method may safely call die if it wants. If C<TO_JSON>
373returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same 494returns other blessed objects, those will be handled in the same
374way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle 495way. C<TO_JSON> must take care of not causing an endless recursion cycle
375(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other 496(== crash) in this case. The name of C<TO_JSON> was chosen because other
376methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are 497methods called by the Perl core (== not by the user of the object) are
377usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with the C<to_json> 498usually in upper case letters and to avoid collisions with any C<to_json>
378function. 499function or method.
379 500
380This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the 501This setting does not yet influence C<decode> in any way, but in the
381future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are 502future, global hooks might get installed that influence C<decode> and are
382enabled by this setting. 503enabled by this setting.
383 504
425 546
426As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object> 547As this callback gets called less often then the C<filter_json_object>
427one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key 548one, decoding speed will not usually suffer as much. Therefore, single-key
428objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially 549objects make excellent targets to serialise Perl objects into, especially
429as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept 550as single-key JSON objects are as close to the type-tagged value concept
430as JSON gets (its basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not 551as JSON gets (it's basically an ID/VALUE tuple). Of course, JSON does not
431support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks 552support this in any way, so you need to make sure your data never looks
432like a serialised Perl hash. 553like a serialised Perl hash.
433 554
434Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or 555Typical names for the single object key are C<__class_whatever__>, or
435C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even 556C<$__dollars_are_rarely_used__$> or C<}ugly_brace_placement>, or even
459 580
460 { __widget__ => $self->{id} } 581 { __widget__ => $self->{id} }
461 } 582 }
462 583
463=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable]) 584=item $json = $json->shrink ([$enable])
585
586=item $enabled = $json->get_shrink
464 587
465Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for 588Perl usually over-allocates memory a bit when allocating space for
466strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either 589strings. This flag optionally resizes strings generated by either
467C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save 590C<encode> or C<decode> to their minimum size possible. This can save
468memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many 591memory when your JSON texts are either very very long or you have many
486strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats 609strings that look like integers or floats into integers or floats
487internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space. 610internally (there is no difference on the Perl level), saving space.
488 611
489=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth]) 612=item $json = $json->max_depth ([$maximum_nesting_depth])
490 613
614=item $max_depth = $json->get_max_depth
615
491Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding 616Sets the maximum nesting level (default C<512>) accepted while encoding
492or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or 617or decoding. If the JSON text or Perl data structure has an equal or
493higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will 618higher nesting level then this limit, then the encoder and decoder will
494stop and croak at that point. 619stop and croak at that point.
495 620
506used, which is rarely useful. 631used, which is rarely useful.
507 632
508See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful. 633See SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS, below, for more info on why this is useful.
509 634
510=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size]) 635=item $json = $json->max_size ([$maximum_string_size])
636
637=item $max_size = $json->get_max_size
511 638
512Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is 639Set the maximum length a JSON text may have (in bytes) where decoding is
513being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode> 640being attempted. The default is C<0>, meaning no limit. When C<decode>
514is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not 641is called on a string longer then this number of characters it will not
515attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no 642attempt to decode the string but throw an exception. This setting has no
562vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most 689vice versa. These mappings are designed to "do the right thing" in most
563circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics 690circumstances automatically, preserving round-tripping characteristics
564(what you put in comes out as something equivalent). 691(what you put in comes out as something equivalent).
565 692
566For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions, 693For the more enlightened: note that in the following descriptions,
567lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppcercase I<Perl> 694lowercase I<perl> refers to the Perl interpreter, while uppercase I<Perl>
568refers to the abstract Perl language itself. 695refers to the abstract Perl language itself.
569 696
570 697
571=head2 JSON -> PERL 698=head2 JSON -> PERL
572 699
573=over 4 700=over 4
574 701
575=item object 702=item object
576 703
577A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object 704A JSON object becomes a reference to a hash in Perl. No ordering of object
578keys is preserved (JSON does not preserver object key ordering itself). 705keys is preserved (JSON does not preserve object key ordering itself).
579 706
580=item array 707=item array
581 708
582A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl. 709A JSON array becomes a reference to an array in Perl.
583 710
591 718
592A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or 719A JSON number becomes either an integer, numeric (floating point) or
593string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On 720string scalar in perl, depending on its range and any fractional parts. On
594the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all 721the Perl level, there is no difference between those as Perl handles all
595the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and 722the conversion details, but an integer may take slightly less memory and
596might represent more values exactly than (floating point) numbers. 723might represent more values exactly than floating point numbers.
597 724
598If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent 725If the number consists of digits only, JSON::XS will try to represent
599it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as 726it as an integer value. If that fails, it will try to represent it as
600a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of 727a numeric (floating point) value if that is possible without loss of
601precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value. 728precision. Otherwise it will preserve the number as a string value (in
729which case you lose roundtripping ability, as the JSON number will be
730re-encoded toa JSON string).
602 731
603Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be 732Numbers containing a fractional or exponential part will always be
604represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of 733represented as numeric (floating point) values, possibly at a loss of
605precision. 734precision (in which case you might lose perfect roundtripping ability, but
606 735the JSON number will still be re-encoded as a JSON number).
607This might create round-tripping problems as numbers might become strings,
608but as Perl is typeless there is no other way to do it.
609 736
610=item true, false 737=item true, false
611 738
612These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>, 739These JSON atoms become C<JSON::XS::true> and C<JSON::XS::false>,
613respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers 740respectively. They are overloaded to act almost exactly like the numbers
614C<1> and C<0>. You can check wether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using 741C<1> and C<0>. You can check whether a scalar is a JSON boolean by using
615the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function. 742the C<JSON::XS::is_bool> function.
616 743
617=item null 744=item null
618 745
619A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl. 746A JSON null atom becomes C<undef> in Perl.
650Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an 777Other unblessed references are generally not allowed and will cause an
651exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and 778exception to be thrown, except for references to the integers C<0> and
652C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can 779C<1>, which get turned into C<false> and C<true> atoms in JSON. You can
653also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability. 780also use C<JSON::XS::false> and C<JSON::XS::true> to improve readability.
654 781
655 to_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true] 782 encode_json [\0,JSON::XS::true] # yields [false,true]
656 783
657=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false 784=item JSON::XS::true, JSON::XS::false
658 785
659These special values become JSON true and JSON false values, 786These special values become JSON true and JSON false values,
660respectively. You cna alos use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want. 787respectively. You can also use C<\1> and C<\0> directly if you want.
661 788
662=item blessed objects 789=item blessed objects
663 790
664Blessed objects are not allowed. JSON::XS currently tries to encode their 791Blessed objects are not directly representable in JSON. See the
665underlying representation (hash- or arrayref), but this behaviour might 792C<allow_blessed> and C<convert_blessed> methods on various options on
666change in future versions. 793how to deal with this: basically, you can choose between throwing an
794exception, encoding the reference as if it weren't blessed, or provide
795your own serialiser method.
667 796
668=item simple scalars 797=item simple scalars
669 798
670Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most 799Simple Perl scalars (any scalar that is not a reference) are the most
671difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as 800difficult objects to encode: JSON::XS will encode undefined scalars as
672JSON null value, scalars that have last been used in a string context 801JSON C<null> values, scalars that have last been used in a string context
673before encoding as JSON strings and anything else as number value: 802before encoding as JSON strings, and anything else as number value:
674 803
675 # dump as number 804 # dump as number
676 to_json [2] # yields [2] 805 encode_json [2] # yields [2]
677 to_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17] 806 encode_json [-3.0e17] # yields [-3e+17]
678 my $value = 5; to_json [$value] # yields [5] 807 my $value = 5; encode_json [$value] # yields [5]
679 808
680 # used as string, so dump as string 809 # used as string, so dump as string
681 print $value; 810 print $value;
682 to_json [$value] # yields ["5"] 811 encode_json [$value] # yields ["5"]
683 812
684 # undef becomes null 813 # undef becomes null
685 to_json [undef] # yields [null] 814 encode_json [undef] # yields [null]
686 815
687You can force the type to be a string by stringifying it: 816You can force the type to be a JSON string by stringifying it:
688 817
689 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number 818 my $x = 3.1; # some variable containing a number
690 "$x"; # stringified 819 "$x"; # stringified
691 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify 820 $x .= ""; # another, more awkward way to stringify
692 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often 821 print $x; # perl does it for you, too, quite often
693 822
694You can force the type to be a number by numifying it: 823You can force the type to be a JSON number by numifying it:
695 824
696 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string 825 my $x = "3"; # some variable containing a string
697 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number 826 $x += 0; # numify it, ensuring it will be dumped as a number
698 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choise is yours. 827 $x *= 1; # same thing, the choice is yours.
699 828
700You can not currently output JSON booleans or force the type in other, 829You can not currently force the type in other, less obscure, ways. Tell me
701less obscure, ways. Tell me if you need this capability. 830if you need this capability (but don't forget to explain why its needed
831:).
832
833=back
834
835
836=head1 ENCODING/CODESET FLAG NOTES
837
838The interested reader might have seen a number of flags that signify
839encodings or codesets - C<utf8>, C<latin1> and C<ascii>. There seems to be
840some confusion on what these do, so here is a short comparison:
841
842C<utf8> controls wether the JSON text created by C<encode> (and expected
843by C<decode>) is UTF-8 encoded or not, while C<latin1> and C<ascii> only
844control wether C<encode> escapes character values outside their respective
845codeset range. Neither of these flags conflict with each other, although
846some combinations make less sense than others.
847
848Care has been taken to make all flags symmetrical with respect to
849C<encode> and C<decode>, that is, texts encoded with any combination of
850these flag values will be correctly decoded when the same flags are used
851- in general, if you use different flag settings while encoding vs. when
852decoding you likely have a bug somewhere.
853
854Below comes a verbose discussion of these flags. Note that a "codeset" is
855simply an abstract set of character-codepoint pairs, while an encoding
856takes those codepoint numbers and I<encodes> them, in our case into
857octets. Unicode is (among other things) a codeset, UTF-8 is an encoding,
858and ISO-8859-1 (= latin 1) and ASCII are both codesets I<and> encodings at
859the same time, which can be confusing.
860
861=over 4
862
863=item C<utf8> flag disabled
864
865When C<utf8> is disabled (the default), then C<encode>/C<decode> generate
866and expect Unicode strings, that is, characters with high ordinal Unicode
867values (> 255) will be encoded as such characters, and likewise such
868characters are decoded as-is, no canges to them will be done, except
869"(re-)interpreting" them as Unicode codepoints or Unicode characters,
870respectively (to Perl, these are the same thing in strings unless you do
871funny/weird/dumb stuff).
872
873This is useful when you want to do the encoding yourself (e.g. when you
874want to have UTF-16 encoded JSON texts) or when some other layer does
875the encoding for you (for example, when printing to a terminal using a
876filehandle that transparently encodes to UTF-8 you certainly do NOT want
877to UTF-8 encode your data first and have Perl encode it another time).
878
879=item C<utf8> flag enabled
880
881If the C<utf8>-flag is enabled, C<encode>/C<decode> will encode all
882characters using the corresponding UTF-8 multi-byte sequence, and will
883expect your input strings to be encoded as UTF-8, that is, no "character"
884of the input string must have any value > 255, as UTF-8 does not allow
885that.
886
887The C<utf8> flag therefore switches between two modes: disabled means you
888will get a Unicode string in Perl, enabled means you get an UTF-8 encoded
889octet/binary string in Perl.
890
891=item C<latin1> or C<ascii> flags enabled
892
893With C<latin1> (or C<ascii>) enabled, C<encode> will escape characters
894with ordinal values > 255 (> 127 with C<ascii>) and encode the remaining
895characters as specified by the C<utf8> flag.
896
897If C<utf8> is disabled, then the result is also correctly encoded in those
898character sets (as both are proper subsets of Unicode, meaning that a
899Unicode string with all character values < 256 is the same thing as a
900ISO-8859-1 string, and a Unicode string with all character values < 128 is
901the same thing as an ASCII string in Perl).
902
903If C<utf8> is enabled, you still get a correct UTF-8-encoded string,
904regardless of these flags, just some more characters will be escaped using
905C<\uXXXX> then before.
906
907Note that ISO-8859-1-I<encoded> strings are not compatible with UTF-8
908encoding, while ASCII-encoded strings are. That is because the ISO-8859-1
909encoding is NOT a subset of UTF-8 (despite the ISO-8859-1 I<codeset> being
910a subset of Unicode), while ASCII is.
911
912Surprisingly, C<decode> will ignore these flags and so treat all input
913values as governed by the C<utf8> flag. If it is disabled, this allows you
914to decode ISO-8859-1- and ASCII-encoded strings, as both strict subsets of
915Unicode. If it is enabled, you can correctly decode UTF-8 encoded strings.
916
917So neither C<latin1> nor C<ascii> are incompatible with the C<utf8> flag -
918they only govern when the JSON output engine escapes a character or not.
919
920The main use for C<latin1> is to relatively efficiently store binary data
921as JSON, at the expense of breaking compatibility with most JSON decoders.
922
923The main use for C<ascii> is to force the output to not contain characters
924with values > 127, which means you can interpret the resulting string
925as UTF-8, ISO-8859-1, ASCII, KOI8-R or most about any character set and
9268-bit-encoding, and still get the same data structure back. This is useful
927when your channel for JSON transfer is not 8-bit clean or the encoding
928might be mangled in between (e.g. in mail), and works because ASCII is a
929proper subset of most 8-bit and multibyte encodings in use in the world.
702 930
703=back 931=back
704 932
705 933
706=head1 COMPARISON 934=head1 COMPARISON
711followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer 939followed by some benchmark values. JSON::XS was designed not to suffer
712from any of these problems or limitations. 940from any of these problems or limitations.
713 941
714=over 4 942=over 4
715 943
944=item JSON 2.xx
945
946A marvellous piece of engineering, this module either uses JSON::XS
947directly when available (so will be 100% compatible with it, including
948speed), or it uses JSON::PP, which is basically JSON::XS translated to
949Pure Perl, which should be 100% compatible with JSON::XS, just a bit
950slower.
951
952You cannot really lose by using this module, especially as it tries very
953hard to work even with ancient Perl versions, while JSON::XS does not.
954
716=item JSON 1.07 955=item JSON 1.07
717 956
718Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl). 957Slow (but very portable, as it is written in pure Perl).
719 958
720Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles unicode values is 959Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling (how JSON handles Unicode values is
721undocumented. One can get far by feeding it unicode strings and doing 960undocumented. One can get far by feeding it Unicode strings and doing
722en-/decoding oneself, but unicode escapes are not working properly). 961en-/decoding oneself, but Unicode escapes are not working properly).
723 962
724No roundtripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g. 963No round-tripping (strings get clobbered if they look like numbers, e.g.
725the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will 964the string C<2.0> will encode to C<2.0> instead of C<"2.0">, and that will
726decode into the number 2. 965decode into the number 2.
727 966
728=item JSON::PC 0.01 967=item JSON::PC 0.01
729 968
730Very fast. 969Very fast.
731 970
732Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling. 971Undocumented/buggy Unicode handling.
733 972
734No roundtripping. 973No round-tripping.
735 974
736Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic 975Has problems handling many Perl values (e.g. regex results and other magic
737values will make it croak). 976values will make it croak).
738 977
739Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}> 978Does not even generate valid JSON (C<{1,2}> gets converted to C<{1:2}>
749Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much 988Very inflexible (no human-readable format supported, format pretty much
750undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a 989undocumented. I need at least a format for easy reading by humans and a
751single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to 990single-line compact format for use in a protocol, and preferably a way to
752generate ASCII-only JSON texts). 991generate ASCII-only JSON texts).
753 992
754Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (unicode 993Completely broken (and confusingly documented) Unicode handling (Unicode
755escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to 994escapes are not working properly, you need to set ImplicitUnicode to
756I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour). 995I<different> values on en- and decoding to get symmetric behaviour).
757 996
758No roundtripping (simple cases work, but this depends on wether the scalar 997No round-tripping (simple cases work, but this depends on whether the scalar
759value was used in a numeric context or not). 998value was used in a numeric context or not).
760 999
761Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state. 1000Dumping hashes may skip hash values depending on iterator state.
762 1001
763Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not 1002Unmaintained (maintainer unresponsive for many months, bugs are not
764getting fixed). 1003getting fixed).
765 1004
766Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and 1005Does not check input for validity (i.e. will accept non-JSON input and
767return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security 1006return "something" instead of raising an exception. This is a security
768issue: imagine two banks transfering money between each other using 1007issue: imagine two banks transferring money between each other using
769JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money, 1008JSON. One bank might parse a given non-JSON request and deduct money,
770while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a 1009while the other might reject the transaction with a syntax error. While a
771good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and 1010good protocol will at least recover, that is extra unnecessary work and
772the transaction will still not succeed). 1011the transaction will still not succeed).
773 1012
774=item JSON::DWIW 0.04 1013=item JSON::DWIW 0.04
775 1014
776Very fast. Very natural. Very nice. 1015Very fast. Very natural. Very nice.
777 1016
778Undocumented unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes 1017Undocumented Unicode handling (but the best of the pack. Unicode escapes
779still don't get parsed properly). 1018still don't get parsed properly).
780 1019
781Very inflexible. 1020Very inflexible.
782 1021
783No roundtripping. 1022No round-tripping.
784 1023
785Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys 1024Does not generate valid JSON texts (key strings are often unquoted, empty keys
786result in nothing being output) 1025result in nothing being output)
787 1026
788Does not check input for validity. 1027Does not check input for validity.
790=back 1029=back
791 1030
792 1031
793=head2 JSON and YAML 1032=head2 JSON and YAML
794 1033
795You often hear that JSON is a subset (or a close subset) of YAML. This is, 1034You often hear that JSON is a subset of YAML. This is, however, a mass
796however, a mass hysteria and very far from the truth. In general, there is 1035hysteria(*) and very far from the truth (as of the time of this writing),
797no way to configure JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML. 1036so let me state it clearly: I<in general, there is no way to configure
1037JSON::XS to output a data structure as valid YAML> that works in all
1038cases.
798 1039
799If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this 1040If you really must use JSON::XS to generate YAML, you should use this
800algorithm (subject to change in future versions): 1041algorithm (subject to change in future versions):
801 1042
802 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1); 1043 my $to_yaml = JSON::XS->new->utf8->space_after (1);
803 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n"; 1044 my $yaml = $to_yaml->encode ($ref) . "\n";
804 1045
805This will usually generate JSON texts that also parse as valid 1046This will I<usually> generate JSON texts that also parse as valid
806YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key 1047YAML. Please note that YAML has hardcoded limits on (simple) object key
807lengths that JSON doesn't have, so you should make sure that your hash 1048lengths that JSON doesn't have and also has different and incompatible
1049unicode handling, so you should make sure that your hash keys are
808keys are noticably shorter than the 1024 characters YAML allows. 1050noticeably shorter than the 1024 "stream characters" YAML allows and that
1051you do not have characters with codepoint values outside the Unicode BMP
1052(basic multilingual page). YAML also does not allow C<\/> sequences in
1053strings (which JSON::XS does not I<currently> generate, but other JSON
1054generators might).
809 1055
810There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of. In general 1056There might be other incompatibilities that I am not aware of (or the YAML
1057specification has been changed yet again - it does so quite often). In
811you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice versa, 1058general you should not try to generate YAML with a JSON generator or vice
812or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are high 1059versa, or try to parse JSON with a YAML parser or vice versa: chances are
813that you will run into severe interoperability problems. 1060high that you will run into severe interoperability problems when you
1061least expect it.
1062
1063=over 4
1064
1065=item (*)
1066
1067I have been pressured multiple times by Brian Ingerson (one of the
1068authors of the YAML specification) to remove this paragraph, despite him
1069acknowledging that the actual incompatibilities exist. As I was personally
1070bitten by this "JSON is YAML" lie, I refused and said I will continue to
1071educate people about these issues, so others do not run into the same
1072problem again and again. After this, Brian called me a (quote)I<complete
1073and worthless idiot>(unquote).
1074
1075In my opinion, instead of pressuring and insulting people who actually
1076clarify issues with YAML and the wrong statements of some of its
1077proponents, I would kindly suggest reading the JSON spec (which is not
1078that difficult or long) and finally make YAML compatible to it, and
1079educating users about the changes, instead of spreading lies about the
1080real compatibility for many I<years> and trying to silence people who
1081point out that it isn't true.
1082
1083=back
814 1084
815 1085
816=head2 SPEED 1086=head2 SPEED
817 1087
818It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following 1088It seems that JSON::XS is surprisingly fast, as shown in the following
819tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program 1089tables. They have been generated with the help of the C<eg/bench> program
820in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own 1090in the JSON::XS distribution, to make it easy to compare on your own
821system. 1091system.
822 1092
823First comes a comparison between various modules using a very short 1093First comes a comparison between various modules using
824single-line JSON string: 1094a very short single-line JSON string (also available at
1095L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/short.json>).
825 1096
826 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \ 1097 {"method": "handleMessage", "params": ["user1", "we were just talking"], \
827 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]} 1098 "id": null, "array":[1,11,234,-5,1e5,1e7, true, false]}
828 1099
829It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses 1100It shows the number of encodes/decodes per second (JSON::XS uses
830the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface 1101the functional interface, while JSON::XS/2 uses the OO interface
831with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables 1102with pretty-printing and hashkey sorting enabled, JSON::XS/3 enables
832shrink). Higher is better: 1103shrink). Higher is better:
833 1104
834 Storable | 15779.925 | 14169.946 |
835 -----------+------------+------------+
836 module | encode | decode | 1105 module | encode | decode |
837 -----------|------------|------------| 1106 -----------|------------|------------|
838 JSON | 4990.842 | 4088.813 | 1107 JSON 1.x | 4990.842 | 4088.813 |
839 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 | 1108 JSON::DWIW | 51653.990 | 71575.154 |
840 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 | 1109 JSON::PC | 65948.176 | 74631.744 |
841 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 | 1110 JSON::PP | 8931.652 | 3817.168 |
842 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 | 1111 JSON::Syck | 24877.248 | 27776.848 |
843 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 | 1112 JSON::XS | 388361.481 | 227951.304 |
845 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 | 1114 JSON::XS/3 | 338250.323 | 218453.333 |
846 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 | 1115 Storable | 16500.016 | 135300.129 |
847 -----------+------------+------------+ 1116 -----------+------------+------------+
848 1117
849That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding, 1118That is, JSON::XS is about five times faster than JSON::DWIW on encoding,
850about three times faster on decoding, and over fourty times faster 1119about three times faster on decoding, and over forty times faster
851than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares 1120than JSON, even with pretty-printing and key sorting. It also compares
852favourably to Storable for small amounts of data. 1121favourably to Storable for small amounts of data.
853 1122
854Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals 1123Using a longer test string (roughly 18KB, generated from Yahoo! Locals
855search API (http://nanoref.com/yahooapis/mgPdGg): 1124search API (L<http://dist.schmorp.de/misc/json/long.json>).
856 1125
857 module | encode | decode | 1126 module | encode | decode |
858 -----------|------------|------------| 1127 -----------|------------|------------|
859 JSON | 55.260 | 34.971 | 1128 JSON 1.x | 55.260 | 34.971 |
860 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 | 1129 JSON::DWIW | 825.228 | 1082.513 |
861 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 | 1130 JSON::PC | 3571.444 | 2394.829 |
862 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 | 1131 JSON::PP | 210.987 | 32.574 |
863 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 | 1132 JSON::Syck | 552.551 | 787.544 |
864 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 | 1133 JSON::XS | 5780.463 | 4854.519 |
868 -----------+------------+------------+ 1137 -----------+------------+------------+
869 1138
870Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly 1139Again, JSON::XS leads by far (except for Storable which non-surprisingly
871decodes faster). 1140decodes faster).
872 1141
873On large strings containing lots of high unicode characters, some modules 1142On large strings containing lots of high Unicode characters, some modules
874(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result 1143(such as JSON::PC) seem to decode faster than JSON::XS, but the result
875will be broken due to missing (or wrong) unicode handling. Others refuse 1144will be broken due to missing (or wrong) Unicode handling. Others refuse
876to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair 1145to decode or encode properly, so it was impossible to prepare a fair
877comparison table for that case. 1146comparison table for that case.
878 1147
879 1148
880=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1149=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
886any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am 1155any buffer overflows. Obviously, this module should ensure that and I am
887trying hard on making that true, but you never know. 1156trying hard on making that true, but you never know.
888 1157
889Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should 1158Second, you need to avoid resource-starving attacks. That means you should
890limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your 1159limit the size of JSON texts you accept, or make sure then when your
891resources run out, thats just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that 1160resources run out, that's just fine (e.g. by using a separate process that
892can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is 1161can crash safely). The size of a JSON text in octets or characters is
893usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode 1162usually a good indication of the size of the resources required to decode
894it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON 1163it into a Perl structure. While JSON::XS can check the size of the JSON
895text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you 1164text, it might be too late when you already have it in memory, so you
896might want to check the size before you accept the string. 1165might want to check the size before you accept the string.
897 1166
898Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and 1167Third, JSON::XS recurses using the C stack when decoding objects and
899arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64 1168arrays. The C stack is a limited resource: for instance, on my amd64
900machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but 1169machine with 8MB of stack size I can decode around 180k nested arrays but
901only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak 1170only 14k nested JSON objects (due to perl itself recursing deeply on croak
902to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. to be 1171to free the temporary). If that is exceeded, the program crashes. To be
903conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process 1172conservative, the default nesting limit is set to 512. If your process
904has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the 1173has a smaller stack, you should adjust this setting accordingly with the
905C<max_depth> method. 1174C<max_depth> method.
906 1175
907And last but least, something else could bomb you that I forgot to think 1176Something else could bomb you, too, that I forgot to think of. In that
908of. In that case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, 1177case, you get to keep the pieces. I am always open for hints, though...
909though... 1178
1179Also keep in mind that JSON::XS might leak contents of your Perl data
1180structures in its error messages, so when you serialise sensitive
1181information you might want to make sure that exceptions thrown by JSON::XS
1182will not end up in front of untrusted eyes.
910 1183
911If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption 1184If you are using JSON::XS to return packets to consumption
912by javascript scripts in a browser you should have a look at 1185by JavaScript scripts in a browser you should have a look at
913L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see wether 1186L<http://jpsykes.com/47/practical-csrf-and-json-security> to see whether
914you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser 1187you are vulnerable to some common attack vectors (which really are browser
915design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major 1188design bugs, but it is still you who will have to deal with it, as major
916browser developers care only for features, not about doing security 1189browser developers care only for features, not about getting security
917right). 1190right).
1191
1192
1193=head1 THREADS
1194
1195This module is I<not> guaranteed to be thread safe and there are no
1196plans to change this until Perl gets thread support (as opposed to the
1197horribly slow so-called "threads" which are simply slow and bloated
1198process simulations - use fork, its I<much> faster, cheaper, better).
1199
1200(It might actually work, but you have been warned).
918 1201
919 1202
920=head1 BUGS 1203=head1 BUGS
921 1204
922While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does 1205While the goal of this module is to be correct, that unfortunately does
923not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is 1206not mean its bug-free, only that I think its design is bug-free. It is
924still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they 1207still relatively early in its development. If you keep reporting bugs they
925will be fixed swiftly, though. 1208will be fixed swiftly, though.
1209
1210Please refrain from using rt.cpan.org or any other bug reporting
1211service. I put the contact address into my modules for a reason.
926 1212
927=cut 1213=cut
928 1214
929our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1215our $true = do { bless \(my $dummy = 1), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };
930our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" }; 1216our $false = do { bless \(my $dummy = 0), "JSON::XS::Boolean" };

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