JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)¶ ↑

JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format.

A JSON value is one of the following:

• Double-quoted text: "foo".

• Number: 1, 1.0, 2.0e2.

• Boolean: true, false.

• Null: null.

• Array: an ordered list of values, enclosed by square brackets:

  ["foo", 1, 1.0, 2.0e2, true, false, null]
  

• Object: a collection of name/value pairs, enclosed by curly braces; each name is double-quoted text; the values may be any JSON values:

  {"a": "foo", "b": 1, "c": 1.0, "d": 2.0e2, "e": true, "f": false, "g": null}
  

A JSON array or object may contain nested arrays, objects, and scalars to any depth:

{"foo": {"bar": 1, "baz": 2}, "bat": [0, 1, 2]}
[{"foo": 0, "bar": 1}, ["baz", 2]]

Using Module JSON¶ ↑

To make module JSON available in your code, begin with:

require 'json'

All examples here assume that this has been done.

Parsing JSON¶ ↑

You can parse a String containing JSON data using either of two methods:

• JSON.parse(source, opts)

• JSON.parse!(source, opts)

where

• source is a Ruby object.

• opts is a Hash object containing options that control both input allowed and output formatting.

The difference between the two methods is that JSON.parse! omits some checks and may not be safe for some source data; use it only for data from trusted sources. Use the safer method JSON.parse for less trusted sources.

Parsing JSON Arrays¶ ↑

When source is a JSON array, JSON.parse by default returns a Ruby Array:

json = '["foo", 1, 1.0, 2.0e2, true, false, null]'
ruby = JSON.parse(json)
ruby # => ["foo", 1, 1.0, 200.0, true, false, nil]
ruby.class # => Array

The JSON array may contain nested arrays, objects, and scalars to any depth:

json = '[{"foo": 0, "bar": 1}, ["baz", 2]]'
JSON.parse(json) # => [{"foo"=>0, "bar"=>1}, ["baz", 2]]

Parsing JSON Objects¶ ↑

When the source is a JSON object, JSON.parse by default returns a Ruby Hash:

json = '{"a": "foo", "b": 1, "c": 1.0, "d": 2.0e2, "e": true, "f": false, "g": null}'
ruby = JSON.parse(json)
ruby # => {"a"=>"foo", "b"=>1, "c"=>1.0, "d"=>200.0, "e"=>true, "f"=>false, "g"=>nil}
ruby.class # => Hash

The JSON object may contain nested arrays, objects, and scalars to any depth:

json = '{"foo": {"bar": 1, "baz": 2}, "bat": [0, 1, 2]}'
JSON.parse(json) # => {"foo"=>{"bar"=>1, "baz"=>2}, "bat"=>[0, 1, 2]}

Parsing JSON Scalars¶ ↑

When the source is a JSON scalar (not an array or object), JSON.parse returns a Ruby scalar.

String:

ruby = JSON.parse('"foo"')
ruby # => 'foo'
ruby.class # => String

Integer:

ruby = JSON.parse('1')
ruby # => 1
ruby.class # => Integer

Float:

ruby = JSON.parse('1.0')
ruby # => 1.0
ruby.class # => Float
ruby = JSON.parse('2.0e2')
ruby # => 200
ruby.class # => Float

Boolean:

ruby = JSON.parse('true')
ruby # => true
ruby.class # => TrueClass
ruby = JSON.parse('false')
ruby # => false
ruby.class # => FalseClass

Null:

ruby = JSON.parse('null')
ruby # => nil
ruby.class # => NilClass

Parsing Options¶ ↑

Input Options¶ ↑

Option max_nesting (Integer) specifies the maximum nesting depth allowed; defaults to 100; specify false to disable depth checking.

With the default, false:

source = '[0, [1, [2, [3]]]]'
ruby = JSON.parse(source)
ruby # => [0, [1, [2, [3]]]]

Too deep:

# Raises JSON::NestingError (nesting of 2 is too deep):
JSON.parse(source, {max_nesting: 1})

Bad value:

# Raises TypeError (wrong argument type Symbol (expected Fixnum)):
JSON.parse(source, {max_nesting: :foo})

---

Option allow_nan (boolean) specifies whether to allow NaN, Infinity, and MinusInfinity in source; defaults to false.

With the default, false:

# Raises JSON::ParserError (225: unexpected token at '[NaN]'):
JSON.parse('[NaN]')
# Raises JSON::ParserError (232: unexpected token at '[Infinity]'):
JSON.parse('[Infinity]')
# Raises JSON::ParserError (248: unexpected token at '[-Infinity]'):
JSON.parse('[-Infinity]')

Allow:

source = '[NaN, Infinity, -Infinity]'
ruby = JSON.parse(source, {allow_nan: true})
ruby # => [NaN, Infinity, -Infinity]

Output Options¶ ↑

Option symbolize_names (boolean) specifies whether returned Hash keys should be Symbols; defaults to false (use Strings).

With the default, false:

source = '{"a": "foo", "b": 1.0, "c": true, "d": false, "e": null}'
ruby = JSON.parse(source)
ruby # => {"a"=>"foo", "b"=>1.0, "c"=>true, "d"=>false, "e"=>nil}

Use Symbols:

ruby = JSON.parse(source, {symbolize_names: true})
ruby # => {:a=>"foo", :b=>1.0, :c=>true, :d=>false, :e=>nil}

---

Option object_class (Class) specifies the Ruby class to be used for each JSON object; defaults to Hash.

With the default, Hash:

source = '{"a": "foo", "b": 1.0, "c": true, "d": false, "e": null}'
ruby = JSON.parse(source)
ruby.class # => Hash

Use class OpenStruct:

ruby = JSON.parse(source, {object_class: OpenStruct})
ruby # => #<OpenStruct a="foo", b=1.0, c=true, d=false, e=nil>

---

Option array_class (Class) specifies the Ruby class to be used for each JSON array; defaults to Array.

With the default, Array:

source = '["foo", 1.0, true, false, null]'
ruby = JSON.parse(source)
ruby.class # => Array

Use class Set:

ruby = JSON.parse(source, {array_class: Set})
ruby # => #<Set: {"foo", 1.0, true, false, nil}>

---

Option create_additions (boolean) specifies whether to use JSON additions in parsing. See JSON Additions.

Generating JSON¶ ↑

To generate a Ruby String containing JSON data, use method JSON.generate(source, opts), where

• source is a Ruby object.

• opts is a Hash object containing options that control both input allowed and output formatting.

Generating JSON from Arrays¶ ↑

When the source is a Ruby Array, JSON.generate returns a String containing a JSON array:

ruby = [0, 's', :foo]
json = JSON.generate(ruby)
json # => '[0,"s","foo"]'

The Ruby Array array may contain nested arrays, hashes, and scalars to any depth:

ruby = [0, [1, 2], {foo: 3, bar: 4}]
json = JSON.generate(ruby)
json # => '[0,[1,2],{"foo":3,"bar":4}]'

Generating JSON from Hashes¶ ↑

When the source is a Ruby Hash, JSON.generate returns a String containing a JSON object:

ruby = {foo: 0, bar: 's', baz: :bat}
json = JSON.generate(ruby)
json # => '{"foo":0,"bar":"s","baz":"bat"}'

The Ruby Hash array may contain nested arrays, hashes, and scalars to any depth:

ruby = {foo: [0, 1], bar: {baz: 2, bat: 3}, bam: :bad}
json = JSON.generate(ruby)
json # => '{"foo":[0,1],"bar":{"baz":2,"bat":3},"bam":"bad"}'

Generating JSON from Other Objects¶ ↑

When the source is neither an Array nor a Hash, the generated JSON data depends on the class of the source.

When the source is a Ruby Integer or Float, JSON.generate returns a String containing a JSON number:

JSON.generate(42) # => '42'
JSON.generate(0.42) # => '0.42'

When the source is a Ruby String, JSON.generate returns a String containing a JSON string (with double-quotes):

JSON.generate('A string') # => '"A string"'

When the source is true, false or nil, JSON.generate returns a String containing the corresponding JSON token:

JSON.generate(true) # => 'true'
JSON.generate(false) # => 'false'
JSON.generate(nil) # => 'null'

When the source is none of the above, JSON.generate returns a String containing a JSON string representation of the source:

JSON.generate(:foo) # => '"foo"'
JSON.generate(Complex(0, 0)) # => '"0+0i"'
JSON.generate(Dir.new('.')) # => '"#<Dir>"'

Generating Options¶ ↑

Input Options¶ ↑

Option allow_nan (boolean) specifies whether NaN, Infinity, and -Infinity may be generated; defaults to false.

With the default, false:

# Raises JSON::GeneratorError (920: NaN not allowed in JSON):
JSON.generate(JSON::NaN)
# Raises JSON::GeneratorError (917: Infinity not allowed in JSON):
JSON.generate(JSON::Infinity)
# Raises JSON::GeneratorError (917: -Infinity not allowed in JSON):
JSON.generate(JSON::MinusInfinity)

Allow:

ruby = [Float::NaN, Float::Infinity, Float::MinusInfinity]
JSON.generate(ruby, allow_nan: true) # => '[NaN,Infinity,-Infinity]'

---

Option max_nesting (Integer) specifies the maximum nesting depth in obj; defaults to 100.

With the default, 100:

obj = [[[[[[0]]]]]]
JSON.generate(obj) # => '[[[[[[0]]]]]]'

Too deep:

# Raises JSON::NestingError (nesting of 2 is too deep):
JSON.generate(obj, max_nesting: 2)

Output Options¶ ↑

The default formatting options generate the most compact JSON data, all on one line and with no whitespace.

You can use these formatting options to generate JSON data in a more open format, using whitespace. See also JSON.pretty_generate.

• Option array_nl (String) specifies a string (usually a newline) to be inserted after each JSON array; defaults to the empty String, ''.

• Option object_nl (String) specifies a string (usually a newline) to be inserted after each JSON object; defaults to the empty String, ''.

• Option indent (String) specifies the string (usually spaces) to be used for indentation; defaults to the empty String, ''; defaults to the empty String, ''; has no effect unless options array_nl or object_nl specify newlines.

• Option space (String) specifies a string (usually a space) to be inserted after the colon in each JSON object's pair; defaults to the empty String, ''.

• Option space_before (String) specifies a string (usually a space) to be inserted before the colon in each JSON object's pair; defaults to the empty String, ''.

In this example, obj is used first to generate the shortest JSON data (no whitespace), then again with all formatting options specified:

obj = {foo: [:bar, :baz], bat: {bam: 0, bad: 1}}
json = JSON.generate(obj)
puts 'Compact:', json
opts = {
  array_nl: "\n",
  object_nl: "\n",
  indent: '  ',
  space_before: ' ',
  space: ' '
}
puts 'Open:', JSON.generate(obj, opts)

Output:

Compact:
{"foo":["bar","baz"],"bat":{"bam":0,"bad":1}}
Open:
{
  "foo" : [
    "bar",
    "baz"
],
  "bat" : {
    "bam" : 0,
    "bad" : 1
  }
}

JSON Additions¶ ↑

When you “round trip” a non-String object from Ruby to JSON and back, you have a new String, instead of the object you began with:

ruby0 = Range.new(0, 2)
json = JSON.generate(ruby0)
json # => '0..2"'
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json)
ruby1 # => '0..2'
ruby1.class # => String

You can use JSON additions to preserve the original object. The addition is an extension of a ruby class, so that:

• JSON.generate stores more information in the JSON string.

• JSON.parse, called with option create_additions, uses that information to create a proper Ruby object.

This example shows a Range being generated into JSON and parsed back into Ruby, both without and with the addition for Range:

ruby = Range.new(0, 2)
# This passage does not use the addition for Range.
json0 = JSON.generate(ruby)
ruby0 = JSON.parse(json0)
# This passage uses the addition for Range.
require 'json/add/range'
json1 = JSON.generate(ruby)
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json1, create_additions: true)
# Make a nice display.
display = <<EOT
Generated JSON:
  Without addition:  #{json0} (#{json0.class})
  With addition:     #{json1} (#{json1.class})
Parsed JSON:
  Without addition:  #{ruby0.inspect} (#{ruby0.class})
  With addition:     #{ruby1.inspect} (#{ruby1.class})
EOT
puts display

This output shows the different results:

Generated JSON:
  Without addition:  "0..2" (String)
  With addition:     {"json_class":"Range","a":[0,2,false]} (String)
Parsed JSON:
  Without addition:  "0..2" (String)
  With addition:     0..2 (Range)

The JSON module includes additions for certain classes. You can also craft custom additions. See Custom JSON Additions.

Built-in Additions¶ ↑

The JSON module includes additions for certain classes. To use an addition, require its source:

• BigDecimal: require 'json/add/bigdecimal'

• Complex: require 'json/add/complex'

• Date: require 'json/add/date'

• DateTime: require 'json/add/date_time'

• Exception: require 'json/add/exception'

• OpenStruct: require 'json/add/ostruct'

• Range: require 'json/add/range'

• Rational: require 'json/add/rational'

• Regexp: require 'json/add/regexp'

• Set: require 'json/add/set'

• Struct: require 'json/add/struct'

• Symbol: require 'json/add/symbol'

• Time: require 'json/add/time'

To reduce punctuation clutter, the examples below show the generated JSON via puts, rather than the usual inspect,

BigDecimal:

require 'json/add/bigdecimal'
ruby0 = BigDecimal(0) # 0.0
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"BigDecimal","b":"27:0.0"}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # 0.0
ruby1.class # => BigDecimal

Complex:

require 'json/add/complex'
ruby0 = Complex(1+0i) # 1+0i
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Complex","r":1,"i":0}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # 1+0i
ruby1.class # Complex

Date:

require 'json/add/date'
ruby0 = Date.today # 2020-05-02
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Date","y":2020,"m":5,"d":2,"sg":2299161.0}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # 2020-05-02
ruby1.class # Date

DateTime:

require 'json/add/date_time'
ruby0 = DateTime.now # 2020-05-02T10:38:13-05:00
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"DateTime","y":2020,"m":5,"d":2,"H":10,"M":38,"S":13,"of":"-5/24","sg":2299161.0}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # 2020-05-02T10:38:13-05:00
ruby1.class # DateTime

Exception (and its subclasses including RuntimeError):

require 'json/add/exception'
ruby0 = Exception.new('A message') # A message
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Exception","m":"A message","b":null}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # A message
ruby1.class # Exception
ruby0 = RuntimeError.new('Another message') # Another message
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"RuntimeError","m":"Another message","b":null}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # Another message
ruby1.class # RuntimeError

OpenStruct:

require 'json/add/ostruct'
ruby0 = OpenStruct.new(name: 'Matz', language: 'Ruby') # #<OpenStruct name="Matz", language="Ruby">
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"OpenStruct","t":{"name":"Matz","language":"Ruby"}}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # #<OpenStruct name="Matz", language="Ruby">
ruby1.class # OpenStruct

Range:

require 'json/add/range'
ruby0 = Range.new(0, 2) # 0..2
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Range","a":[0,2,false]}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # 0..2
ruby1.class # Range

Rational:

require 'json/add/rational'
ruby0 = Rational(1, 3) # 1/3
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Rational","n":1,"d":3}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # 1/3
ruby1.class # Rational

Regexp:

require 'json/add/regexp'
ruby0 = Regexp.new('foo') # (?-mix:foo)
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Regexp","o":0,"s":"foo"}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # (?-mix:foo)
ruby1.class # Regexp

Set:

require 'json/add/set'
ruby0 = Set.new([0, 1, 2]) # #<Set: {0, 1, 2}>
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Set","a":[0,1,2]}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # #<Set: {0, 1, 2}>
ruby1.class # Set

Struct:

require 'json/add/struct'
Customer = Struct.new(:name, :address) # Customer
ruby0 = Customer.new("Dave", "123 Main") # #<struct Customer name="Dave", address="123 Main">
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Customer","v":["Dave","123 Main"]}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # #<struct Customer name="Dave", address="123 Main">
ruby1.class # Customer

Symbol:

require 'json/add/symbol'
ruby0 = :foo # foo
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Symbol","s":"foo"}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # foo
ruby1.class # Symbol

Time:

require 'json/add/time'
ruby0 = Time.now # 2020-05-02 11:28:26 -0500
json = JSON.generate(ruby0) # {"json_class":"Time","s":1588436906,"n":840560000}
ruby1 = JSON.parse(json, create_additions: true) # 2020-05-02 11:28:26 -0500
ruby1.class # Time

Custom JSON Additions¶ ↑

In addition to the JSON additions provided, you can craft JSON additions of your own, either for Ruby built-in classes or for user-defined classes.

Here's a user-defined class Foo:

class Foo
  attr_accessor :bar, :baz
  def initialize(bar, baz)
    self.bar = bar
    self.baz = baz
  end
end

Here's the JSON addition for it:

# Extend class Foo with JSON addition.
class Foo
  # Serialize Foo object with its class name and arguments
  def to_json(*args)
    {
      JSON.create_id  => self.class.name,
      'a'             => [ bar, baz ]
    }.to_json(*args)
  end
  # Deserialize JSON string by constructing new Foo object with arguments.
  def self.json_create(object)
    new(*object['a'])
  end
end

Demonstration:

require 'json'
# This Foo object has no custom addition.
foo0 = Foo.new(0, 1)
json0 = JSON.generate(foo0)
obj0 = JSON.parse(json0)
# Lood the custom addition.
require_relative 'foo_addition'
# This foo has the custom addition.
foo1 = Foo.new(0, 1)
json1 = JSON.generate(foo1)
obj1 = JSON.parse(json1, create_additions: true)
#   Make a nice display.
display = <<EOT
Generated JSON:
  Without custom addition:  #{json0} (#{json0.class})
  With custom addition:     #{json1} (#{json1.class})
Parsed JSON:
  Without custom addition:  #{obj0.inspect} (#{obj0.class})
  With custom addition:     #{obj1.inspect} (#{obj1.class})
EOT
puts display

Output:

Generated JSON:
  Without custom addition:  "#<Foo:0x0000000006534e80>" (String)
  With custom addition:     {"json_class":"Foo","a":[0,1]} (String)
Parsed JSON:
  Without custom addition:  "#<Foo:0x0000000006534e80>" (String)
  With custom addition:     #<Foo:0x0000000006473bb8 @bar=0, @baz=1> (Foo)

opts = JSON.dump_default_options
opts # => {:max_nesting=>false, :allow_nan=>true, :escape_slash=>false}

JSON.generator # => JSON::Ext::Generator

opts = JSON.load_default_options
opts # => {:max_nesting=>false, :allow_nan=>true, :allow_blank=>true, :create_additions=>true}

JSON.parser # => JSON::Ext::Parser

JSON.state # => JSON::Ext::Generator::State

json = '[0, 1, null]'
JSON[json]# => [0, 1, nil]

ruby = [0, 1, nil]
JSON[ruby] # => '[0,1,null]'

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 18
def [](object, opts = {})
  if object.respond_to? :to_str
    JSON.parse(object.to_str, opts)
  else
    JSON.generate(object, opts)
  end
end
            

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 81
def create_fast_state
  State.new(
    :indent         => '',
    :space          => '',
    :object_nl      => "",
    :array_nl       => "",
    :max_nesting    => false
  )
end
            

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 126
def self.create_id
  Thread.current[CREATE_ID_TLS_KEY] || DEFAULT_CREATE_ID
end
            

JSON.create_id # => 'json_class'

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 120
def self.create_id=(new_value)
  Thread.current[CREATE_ID_TLS_KEY] = new_value.dup.freeze
end
            

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 91
def create_pretty_state
  State.new(
    :indent         => '  ',
    :space          => ' ',
    :object_nl      => "\n",
    :array_nl       => "\n"
  )
end
            

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 653
def self.iconv(to, from, string)
  string.encode(to, from)
end
            

obj = {foo: [0, 1], bar: {baz: 2, bat: 3}, bam: :bad}
json = JSON.dump(obj)
json # => "{\"foo\":[0,1],\"bar\":{\"baz\":2,\"bat\":3},\"bam\":\"bad\"}"

path = 't.json'
File.open(path, 'w') do |file|
  JSON.dump(obj, file)
end # => #<File:t.json (closed)>
puts File.read(path)

{"foo":[0,1],"bar":{"baz":2,"bat":3},"bam":"bad"}

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 631
def dump(obj, anIO = nil, limit = nil)
  if anIO and limit.nil?
    anIO = anIO.to_io if anIO.respond_to?(:to_io)
    unless anIO.respond_to?(:write)
      limit = anIO
      anIO = nil
    end
  end
  opts = JSON.dump_default_options
  opts = opts.merge(:max_nesting => limit) if limit
  result = generate(obj, opts)
  if anIO
    anIO.write result
    anIO
  else
    result
  end
rescue JSON::NestingError
  raise ArgumentError, "exceed depth limit"
end
            

a = []; b = []; a.push(b); b.push(a)
# Raises SystemStackError (stack level too deep):
JSON.fast_generate(a)

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 335
def fast_generate(obj, opts = nil)
  if State === opts
    state, opts = opts, nil
  else
    state = JSON.create_fast_state
  end
  if opts
    if opts.respond_to? :to_hash
      opts = opts.to_hash
    elsif opts.respond_to? :to_h
      opts = opts.to_h
    else
      raise TypeError, "can't convert #{opts.class} into Hash"
    end
    state.configure(opts)
  end
  state.generate(obj)
end
            

obj = ["foo", 1.0, true, false, nil]
json = JSON.generate(obj)
json # => '["foo",1.0,true,false,null]'

obj = {foo: 0, bar: 's', baz: :bat}
json = JSON.generate(obj)
json # => '{"foo":0,"bar":"s","baz":"bat"}'

a = []; b = []; a.push(b); b.push(a)
# Raises JSON::NestingError (nesting of 100 is too deep):
JSON.generate(a)

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 296
def generate(obj, opts = nil)
  if State === opts
    state, opts = opts, nil
  else
    state = State.new
  end
  if opts
    if opts.respond_to? :to_hash
      opts = opts.to_hash
    elsif opts.respond_to? :to_h
      opts = opts.to_h
    else
      raise TypeError, "can't convert #{opts.class} into Hash"
    end
    state = state.configure(opts)
  end
  state.generate(obj)
end
            

source = <<-EOT
{
"name": "Dave",
  "age" :40,
  "hats": [
    "Cattleman's",
    "Panama",
    "Tophat"
  ]
}
EOT

ruby = JSON.load(source)
ruby # => {"name"=>"Dave", "age"=>40, "hats"=>["Cattleman's", "Panama", "Tophat"]}

require 'stringio'
object = JSON.load(StringIO.new(source))
object # => {"name"=>"Dave", "age"=>40, "hats"=>["Cattleman's", "Panama", "Tophat"]}

path = 't.json'
File.write(path, source)
File.open(path) do |file|
  JSON.load(file)
end # => {"name"=>"Dave", "age"=>40, "hats"=>["Cattleman's", "Panama", "Tophat"]}

require 'json'

# Some classes for the example.
class Base
  def initialize(attributes)
    @attributes = attributes
  end
end
class User    < Base; end
class Account < Base; end
class Admin   < Base; end
# The JSON source.
json = <<-EOF
{
  "users": [
      {"type": "User", "username": "jane", "email": "jane@example.com"},
      {"type": "User", "username": "john", "email": "john@example.com"}
  ],
  "accounts": [
      {"account": {"type": "Account", "paid": true, "account_id": "1234"}},
      {"account": {"type": "Account", "paid": false, "account_id": "1235"}}
  ],
  "admins": {"type": "Admin", "password": "0wn3d"}
}
EOF
# Deserializer method.
def deserialize_obj(obj, safe_types = %w(User Account Admin))
  type = obj.is_a?(Hash) && obj["type"]
  safe_types.include?(type) ? Object.const_get(type).new(obj) : obj
end
# Call to JSON.load
ruby = JSON.load(json, proc {|obj|
  case obj
  when Hash
    obj.each {|k, v| obj[k] = deserialize_obj v }
  when Array
    obj.map! {|v| deserialize_obj v }
  end
})
pp ruby

{"users"=>
   [#<User:0x00000000064c4c98
     @attributes=
       {"type"=>"User", "username"=>"jane", "email"=>"jane@example.com"}>,
     #<User:0x00000000064c4bd0
     @attributes=
       {"type"=>"User", "username"=>"john", "email"=>"john@example.com"}>],
 "accounts"=>
   [{"account"=>
       #<Account:0x00000000064c4928
       @attributes={"type"=>"Account", "paid"=>true, "account_id"=>"1234"}>},
    {"account"=>
       #<Account:0x00000000064c4680
       @attributes={"type"=>"Account", "paid"=>false, "account_id"=>"1235"}>}],
 "admins"=>
   #<Admin:0x00000000064c41f8
   @attributes={"type"=>"Admin", "password"=>"0wn3d"}>}

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 557
def load(source, proc = nil, options = {})
  opts = load_default_options.merge options
  if source.respond_to? :to_str
    source = source.to_str
  elsif source.respond_to? :to_io
    source = source.to_io.read
  elsif source.respond_to?(:read)
    source = source.read
  end
  if opts[:allow_blank] && (source.nil? || source.empty?)
    source = 'null'
  end
  result = parse(source, opts)
  recurse_proc(result, &proc) if proc
  result
end
            

parse(File.read(path), opts)

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 245
def load_file(filespec, opts = {})
  parse(File.read(filespec), opts)
end
            

JSON.parse!(File.read(path, opts))

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 256
def load_file!(filespec, opts = {})
  parse!(File.read(filespec), opts)
end
            

source = '["foo", 1.0, true, false, null]'
ruby = JSON.parse(source)
ruby # => ["foo", 1.0, true, false, nil]
ruby.class # => Array

source = '{"a": "foo", "b": 1.0, "c": true, "d": false, "e": null}'
ruby = JSON.parse(source)
ruby # => {"a"=>"foo", "b"=>1.0, "c"=>true, "d"=>false, "e"=>nil}
ruby.class # => Hash

source = <<-EOT
{
"name": "Dave",
  "age" :40,
  "hats": [
    "Cattleman's",
    "Panama",
    "Tophat"
  ]
}
EOT
ruby = JSON.parse(source)
ruby # => {"name"=>"Dave", "age"=>40, "hats"=>["Cattleman's", "Panama", "Tophat"]}

# Raises JSON::ParserError (783: unexpected token at ''):
JSON.parse('')

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 215
def parse(source, opts = {})
  Parser.new(source, **(opts||{})).parse
end
            

parse(source, opts)

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 230
def parse!(source, opts = {})
  opts = {
    :max_nesting  => false,
    :allow_nan    => true
  }.merge(opts)
  Parser.new(source, **(opts||{})).parse
end
            

{
  indent: '  ',   # Two spaces
  space: ' ',     # One space
  array_nl: "\n", # Newline
  object_nl: "\n" # Newline
}

obj = {foo: [:bar, :baz], bat: {bam: 0, bad: 1}}
json = JSON.pretty_generate(obj)
puts json

{
  "foo": [
    "bar",
    "baz"
  ],
  "bat": {
    "bam": 0,
    "bad": 1
  }
}

 
               # File json/lib/json/common.rb, line 390
def pretty_generate(obj, opts = nil)
  if State === opts
    state, opts = opts, nil
  else
    state = JSON.create_pretty_state
  end
  if opts
    if opts.respond_to? :to_hash
      opts = opts.to_hash
    elsif opts.respond_to? :to_h
      opts = opts.to_h
    else
      raise TypeError, "can't convert #{opts.class} into Hash"
    end
    state.configure(opts)
  end
  state.generate(obj)
end