JsonObject Lua Reference Documentation

chilkat.JsonObject

Current Version: 11.7.0

Markdown version of this page for AI tools (v 11.7.0) · all AI docs

Chilkat.JsonObject

Load, navigate, create, modify, search, sort, and emit JSON objects.

Chilkat.JsonObject provides DOM-style access to JSON objects. It can load, inspect, modify, create, search, sort, emit, and save JSON data. It supports path-based access, index-based member access, automatic creation of nested paths, object and array references, Firebase-style updates, record searches, date/time conversion, binary data encoding, variable substitution, and optional secure secret resolution.

Load and emit JSON

Load JSON from strings, files, buffers, or Chilkat objects, then emit the result as compact or pretty-formatted JSON.

Path-based navigation

Read and update nested values using JSON paths, with support for automatically creating missing object or array paths.

Member access

Access object members by name or index, inspect member types, retrieve values, and remove or rename members as needed.

Nested objects and arrays

Work directly with child JsonObject and JsonArray references to navigate and modify complex JSON structures.

Search and transform

Search records, sort object members, perform Firebase-style updates, and prepare JSON for API requests or application storage.

Special value handling

Handle date/time values, binary data encodings, exact numeric text, variable substitution, and secure secret resolution.

Common pattern: Load or create a JsonObject, navigate named members and nested paths, retrieve child arrays as JsonArray objects when ordered lists are encountered, update values as needed, then emit or save the final JSON. Use JsonObject for named JSON members and JsonArray for ordered lists.

Object Creation

local chilkat = require("chilkat")

local json = chilkat.JsonObject.new()
local json = chilkat.JsonObject.new()

Creates the object (chilkat.JsonObject() does the same). Lua's garbage collector frees it when it is no longer referenced; json:dispose() frees it at once, and in Lua 5.4 and later local json <close> = chilkat.JsonObject.new() frees it when the block ends. Calling a method of a disposed object raises an error.

Errors

A method that fails returns nil followed by the error text, as io.open does: local body, err = json:method(...), where err is the object's last_error_text. Wrap the call in assert() to raise an error with that text instead. Methods that answer a question return true or false, numbers are returned as they are (check last_method_success where the description says a value means failure), and property reads and writes never fail for Chilkat reasons.

Misuse raises a Lua error: a wrong argument type or a missing argument (bad argument #1 to ...), an unknown property name, a write to a read-only property, an out-of-range integer, or an object of the wrong class.

Names are Chilkat's in snake_case: QuickGetStr is quick_get_str, LastErrorText is last_error_text. Properties are fields (json.verbose_logging = true) and methods use the colon (json:method(...)). Strings are UTF-8; binary data is a Lua string of bytes. Indexes are 0-based, as in every Chilkat API. Unlocking: call chilkat.unlock_bundle("...") once at startup.

Properties

DebugLogFilePath
-- strVal is a string
local strVal = json.debug_log_file_path
json.debug_log_file_path = strVal

If set to a file path, this property logs the LastErrorText of each Chilkat method or property call to the specified file. This logging helps identify the context and history of Chilkat calls leading up to any crash or hang, aiding in debugging.

Enabling the VerboseLogging property provides more detailed information. This property is mainly used for debugging rare instances where a Chilkat method call causes a hang or crash, which should generally not happen.

Possible causes of hangs include:

  • A timeout property set to 0, indicating an infinite timeout.
  • A hang occurring within an event callback in the application code.
  • An internal bug in the Chilkat code causing the hang.

More Information and Examples
top
DelimiterChar
-- strVal is a string
local strVal = json.delimiter_char
json.delimiter_char = strVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Specifies the character used to separate object-member names in Chilkat JSON paths. The default is .. Set it to / for Firebase-style paths. This property should contain exactly one character.

Arrays in paths: Array indexes continue to use square brackets, such as orders[0].id. If a member name itself contains a path-separator character, quote that path component with double quotes.

top
EmitCompact
-- boolVal is a boolean
local boolVal = json.emit_compact
json.emit_compact = boolVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Controls whether emitted JSON is compact or pretty-printed. The default is true.

trueEmit a compact representation with no extra formatting whitespace.
falseEmit indented, human-readable JSON.
JSON semantics: Formatting whitespace does not change the JSON data. Use compact output for transport/storage and pretty output for diagnostics or human review.

top
EmitCrLf
-- boolVal is a boolean
local boolVal = json.emit_cr_lf
json.emit_cr_lf = boolVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Controls line endings when pretty-printed JSON is emitted (EmitCompact = false). The default is true.

trueUse CRLF line endings.
falseUse LF line endings.
Compact output: This setting has no effect when EmitCompact is true because compact JSON is emitted without formatting line breaks.

top
EnableSecrets
-- boolVal is a boolean
local boolVal = json.enable_secrets
json.enable_secrets = boolVal
Introduced in version 11.5.0

Enables automatic resolution of Chilkat secret specification strings for supported string-setting methods. The default is false. When enabled, a value beginning with !! can identify a credential stored in Windows Credential Manager or Apple Keychain instead of embedding the literal secret in application code.

Secret specification format: !![appName|]service[|domain]|username.

This feature applies to AddStringAt, AppendString, SetStringAt, SetStringOf, UpdateSb, and UpdateString.

Security: Secret resolution changes where the string value comes from; the resulting JSON member still contains the resolved value. Avoid emitting or logging JSON that contains credentials unless that exposure is explicitly intended.

More Information and Examples
top
I
-- intVal is an integer
local intVal = json.i
json.i = intVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Supplies the integer substituted for i when a JSON path contains an array index such as [i]. This is useful for loop-based navigation without constructing a new path string for every iteration.

Related properties: The J and K properties provide the same substitution behavior for [j] and [k].

More Information and Examples
top
J
-- intVal is an integer
local intVal = json.j
json.j = intVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Supplies the integer substituted for j when a JSON path contains [j]. It is commonly used with nested-array paths such as matrix[i][j].

top
K
-- intVal is an integer
local intVal = json.k
json.k = intVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Supplies the integer substituted for k when a JSON path contains [k]. It can be combined with I and J for deeper nested-array traversal.

top
LastErrorHtml
-- strVal is a string (read-only)
local strVal = json.last_error_html

Provides HTML-formatted information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

top
LastErrorText
-- strVal is a string (read-only)
local strVal = json.last_error_text

Provides plain text information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

top
LastErrorXml
-- strVal is a string (read-only)
local strVal = json.last_error_xml

Provides XML-formatted information about the last called method or property. If a method call fails or behaves unexpectedly, check this property for details. Note that information is available regardless of the method call's success.

top
LastMethodSuccess
-- boolVal is a boolean
local boolVal = json.last_method_success
json.last_method_success = boolVal

Indicates the success or failure of the most recent method call: true means success, false means failure. This property remains unchanged by property setters or getters. This method is present to address challenges in checking for null or Nothing returns in certain programming languages. Note: This property does not apply to methods that return integer values or to boolean-returning methods where the boolean does not indicate success or failure.

top
LowerCaseNames
-- boolVal is a boolean
local boolVal = json.lower_case_names
json.lower_case_names = boolVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.87

If true, member names are converted to lowercase while JSON is loaded by Load, LoadBd, LoadSb, or LoadFile. The default is false.

Important: This changes member names in the parsed document; it is not merely a case-insensitive lookup mode. Use it only when normalizing names is intentional.

top
PathPrefix
-- strVal is a string
local strVal = json.path_prefix
json.path_prefix = strVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.76

Specifies a path prefix automatically prepended to JSON paths passed to path-based methods such as StringOf, ObjectOf, UpdateString, SetBoolOf, and SizeOfArray. The default is the empty string.

Use case: Set a prefix when many operations target the same nested object. The individual method calls can then use paths relative to that prefix.

More Information and Examples
top
Size
-- intVal is an integer (read-only)
local intVal = json.size
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the number of direct name/value members in this JSON object. Nested members inside child objects are not included.

JSON objects and order: RFC 8259 defines a JSON object as an unordered collection of name/value pairs. Chilkat preserves a member order so index-based APIs and deterministic emission are possible, but interoperable application logic should generally use member names rather than depend on object order.

More Information and Examples
top
Strict
-- boolVal is a boolean
local boolVal = json.strict
json.strict = boolVal
Introduced in version 11.6.0

When Strict is true, the Load methods first check that the data is well-formed JSON. If it is not, the load fails and the contents of this JsonObject are left unchanged. The default is false.

This applies to Load, LoadSb, LoadBd, LoadFile and LoadPredefined.

Chilkat's JSON parser is deliberately tolerant. By default it can accept text that is not well-formed, succeed, and leave an empty or partially populated document. That is convenient when the goal is a best-effort parse of imperfect input, but it is the wrong behavior when a silently missing member changes what the application does. A single missing comma, for example, can cause the members after it to be dropped while the load still reports success.

Set Strict to true for JSON carrying configuration, credentials, or security parameters, where a member that quietly failed to load would be acted on as though it had never been specified.

Note: The default is false so that existing applications are unaffected. When a strict load is rejected, this JsonObject keeps whatever it held before the call, so a failed reload never leaves the object empty.

top
UncommonOptions
-- strVal is a string
local strVal = json.uncommon_options
json.uncommon_options = strVal
Introduced in version 9.5.0.90

Provides a catch-all string for uncommon, implementation-specific options. The default is the empty string and it should normally remain empty.

Recommendation: Do not invent option keywords. Set this property only when a specific JsonObject option is documented by Chilkat or provided by Chilkat support.

top
VerboseLogging
-- boolVal is a boolean
local boolVal = json.verbose_logging
json.verbose_logging = boolVal

If set to true, then the contents of LastErrorText (or LastErrorXml, or LastErrorHtml) may contain more verbose information. The default value is false. Verbose logging should only be used for debugging. The potentially large quantity of logged information may adversely affect peformance.

top
Version
-- strVal is a string (read-only)
local strVal = json.version

Version of the component/library, such as "10.1.0"

More Information and Examples
top

Methods

AddArrayAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_array_at(index, name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Inserts a new JSON array member named name at the zero-based member position index. The new array is empty.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AddArrayCopyAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- jarr is a chilkat.JsonArray
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_array_copy_at(index, name, jarr)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.82

Inserts a new JSON array member named name at the zero-based member position index. The array value is copied from jarr; subsequent changes to the source array do not modify the inserted copy.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AddBoolAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- value is a boolean
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_bool_at(index, name, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Inserts a new JSON boolean member named name at the zero-based member position index. The value is taken from value.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AddIntAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- value is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_int_at(index, name, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Inserts a new JSON number member named name at the zero-based member position index. The integer value is emitted as a JSON number, not as a quoted string.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AddNullAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_null_at(index, name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Inserts a new JSON null member named name at the zero-based member position index.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AddNumberAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- numeric_str is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_number_at(index, name, numeric_str)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Inserts a new JSON number member named name at the zero-based member position index. The numericStr argument supplies the exact JSON numeric text to store.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.
Exact numeric text: Use this method when lexical form or precision matters, for example 12345678901234567890, 1.2500, or scientific notation. The supplied text must be valid JSON number syntax; JSON does not permit NaN or infinity.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AddObjectAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_object_at(index, name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Inserts a new JSON object member named name at the zero-based member position index. The new object is empty.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AddObjectCopyAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- json_obj is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_object_copy_at(index, name, json_obj)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.82

Inserts a new JSON object member named name at the zero-based member position index. The object value is copied from jsonObj; the inserted value is independent of the source.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AddStringAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- value is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:add_string_at(index, name, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Inserts a new JSON string member named name at the zero-based member position index. The value is stored as a JSON string and is escaped as needed when emitted.

0Insert as the first member.
-1Append as the last member.
nInsert at zero-based position n.
Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name, not a JSON path. Use an Update* or Set*Of method when addressing a nested value by path.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AppendArray
-- name is a string
-- jarr is a chilkat.JsonArray, or nil and err on failure
local jarr, err = json:append_array(name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Appends a new JSON array member named name to this object. The newly appended array is empty and the returned JsonArray references that array in this document, so changes made through it modify the same JSON tree.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

More Information and Examples
top
AppendArray2
-- name is a string
-- jarr is a chilkat.JsonArray
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:append_array2(name, jarr)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Appends a new JSON array member named name to this object. A new empty array is created and jarr is updated to reference it. The method returns true on success.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
AppendArrayCopy
-- name is a string
-- jarr is a chilkat.JsonArray
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:append_array_copy(name, jarr)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.82

Appends a new JSON array member named name to this object. The array is copied from jarr, so the appended array is independent of the source array.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AppendBool
-- name is a string
-- value is a boolean
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:append_bool(name, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Appends a new JSON boolean member named name to this object. The value is taken from value.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
AppendInt
-- name is a string
-- value is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:append_int(name, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Appends a new JSON number member named name to this object. The integer value is stored as a JSON number.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
AppendObject
-- name is a string
-- json2 is a chilkat.JsonObject, or nil and err on failure
local json2, err = json:append_object(name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Appends a new JSON object member named name to this object. The newly appended object is empty and the returned JsonObject references that object in this document.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

More Information and Examples
top
AppendObject2
-- name is a string
-- json_obj is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:append_object2(name, json_obj)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Appends a new JSON object member named name to this object. A new empty object is created and jsonObj is updated to reference it. The method returns true on success.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
AppendObjectCopy
-- name is a string
-- json_obj is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:append_object_copy(name, json_obj)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.82

Appends a new JSON object member named name to this object. The object is copied from jsonObj, so the appended object is independent of the source object.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
AppendString
-- name is a string
-- value is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:append_string(name, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Appends a new JSON string member named name to this object. The value is JSON-escaped as needed when emitted.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
AppendStringArray
-- name is a string
-- values is a chilkat.StringTable
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:append_string_array(name, values)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.67

Appends a new JSON array member named name to this object. The array is populated with the strings contained in values.

Member name vs. JSON path: name is a direct member name. It is not interpreted as a JSON path. Use the corresponding Update* method when a nested path should be addressed or created.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
ArrayAt
-- index is an integer
-- jarr is a chilkat.JsonArray, or nil and err on failure
local jarr, err = json:array_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the JSON array stored in the member at zero-based position index. The returned JsonArray references the existing array in the same document; it is not a detached copy.

Type requirement: The member at index must be an array. Use TypeAt when the member type is not already known.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

More Information and Examples
top
ArrayAt2
-- index is an integer
-- jarr is a chilkat.JsonArray
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:array_at2(index, jarr)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Updates jarr to reference the JSON array stored at zero-based member position index and returns true on success.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
ArrayOf
-- json_path is a string
-- jarr is a chilkat.JsonArray, or nil and err on failure
local jarr, err = json:array_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the JSON array at jsonPath. The returned JsonArray references the existing array in the same document, so modifications through it are reflected in the parent JSON.

JSON paths: Paths are relative to this object and may include object-member separators and array indexes, for example orders[0].items.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

top
ArrayOf2
-- json_path is a string
-- jarr is a chilkat.JsonArray
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:array_of2(json_path, jarr)
Introduced in version 11.1.0

Updates jarr to reference the JSON array at jsonPath and returns true on success.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
BoolAt
-- index is an integer
-- flag is true or false
local flag = json:bool_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the boolean value of the member at zero-based position index.

Indexing: Member indexes are based on the order maintained by this JsonObject instance. JSON objects are semantically unordered, so application protocols should normally identify values by member name rather than by position.

Returns true or false: an answer, not a success flag.

More Information and Examples
top
BoolOf
-- json_path is a string
-- flag is true or false
local flag = json:bool_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the boolean value at jsonPath. The path is evaluated relative to this JsonObject, after applying PathPrefix if one is set.

Returns true or false: an answer, not a success flag.

More Information and Examples
top
BytesOf
-- json_path is a string
-- encoding is a string
-- bd is a chilkat.BinData
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:bytes_of(json_path, encoding, bd)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.68

Reads the string value at jsonPath, decodes it using encoding (for example, base64 or hex), and appends the resulting bytes to bd.

Binary-in-JSON convention: The JSON member itself is text. The encoding argument tells Chilkat how that text represents the original bytes.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
Clear
json:clear()
Introduced in version 9.5.0.76

Removes all members from this JSON object, leaving an empty object equivalent to {}.

top
CopyRef
-- json_obj is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:copy_ref(json_obj)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Updates jsonObj so that it references the same JSON object as the caller. No JSON data is copied.

Shared state: After this call, modifications through either reference affect the same underlying JSON object.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
DateOf
-- json_path is a string
-- dt is a chilkat.DateTime
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:date_of(json_path, dt)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.73

Parses the date/time value at jsonPath and loads the result into dt. Recognized forms include ISO 8601 timestamps (for example, 2009-11-04T19:55:41Z), RFC 822-style date/time strings, and Unix timestamp integers.

JSON has no native date type: Dates in JSON are application conventions, usually represented as strings or numbers. This method recognizes common conventions and converts them to CkDateTime.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
Delete
-- name is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:delete(name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Deletes the direct member named name from this JSON object.

Not a path: name is a member name, not a JSON path. Use a path-based operation when deleting or replacing a nested value requires navigation first.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
DeleteAt
-- index is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:delete_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Deletes the member at zero-based position index. Members after the deleted position shift toward the beginning.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
DeleteRecords
-- array_path is a string
-- relpath is a string
-- value is a string
-- case_sensitive is a boolean
-- n is an integer
local n = json:delete_records(array_path, relpath, value, case_sensitive)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.88

Deletes every object record in the array at arrayPath whose value at relative path relpath equals or wildcard-matches value. The caseSensitive argument controls matching. Returns the number of records deleted.

top
DtOf
-- json_path is a string
-- b_local is a boolean
-- dt is a chilkat.DtObj
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:dt_of(json_path, b_local, dt)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.73

Parses the date/time value at jsonPath into dt. If bLocal is true, the destination receives local date/time fields; otherwise it receives UTC/GMT fields. Recognized inputs include ISO 8601 timestamps, RFC 822-style date/time strings, and Unix timestamp integers.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
Emit
-- str is a string, or nil and err on failure
local str, err = json:emit()
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Serializes the JSON document rooted at this object and returns the JSON text. Formatting is controlled by EmitCompact and, for pretty output, EmitCrLf.

Object member order: Chilkat emits members in its maintained order, but JSON object ordering is not semantically significant under RFC 8259.

Returns the string, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
EmitBd
-- bd is a chilkat.BinData
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:emit_bd(bd)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.77

Serializes this JSON and appends the resulting bytes to bd.

Append behavior: Existing data in the destination BinData is preserved.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
EmitSb
-- sb is a chilkat.StringBuilder
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:emit_sb(sb)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.62

Serializes this JSON and appends the resulting text to sb. Formatting follows EmitCompact and EmitCrLf.

Append behavior: Existing text in the destination StringBuilder is preserved; the emitted JSON is added after it.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
EmitWithSubs
-- subs is a chilkat.Hashtable
-- omit_empty is a boolean
-- str is a string, or nil and err on failure
local str, err = json:emit_with_subs(subs, omit_empty)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.67

Serializes the JSON after substituting variables from subs into template strings. A placeholder such as {$name} is replaced by the corresponding hashtable value. Prefixing the variable name with i., as in {$i.count}, emits the substituted value as a JSON integer instead of a quoted string.

If omitEmpty is true, members whose substituted result is an empty string or empty array are omitted from the emitted JSON.

Template reuse: This method does not require rebuilding the JSON template. It is commonly paired with Predefine and LoadPredefined when the same JSON shape is emitted repeatedly with different values.

Returns the string, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
FindObjectWithMember
-- name is a string
-- json2 is a chilkat.JsonObject, or nil and err on failure
local json2, err = json:find_object_with_member(name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.67

Recursively searches this JSON subtree for the first JSON object containing a direct member named name. Returns that object, or nil if no matching object is found.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

top
FindObjectWithMember2
-- name is a string
-- json_obj is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:find_object_with_member2(name, json_obj)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Recursively searches this JSON subtree for the first object containing a direct member named name. On success, jsonObj is updated to reference the matching object and the method returns true.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
FindRecord
-- array_path is a string
-- rel_path is a string
-- value is a string
-- case_sensitive is a boolean
-- json2 is a chilkat.JsonObject, or nil and err on failure
local json2, err = json:find_record(array_path, rel_path, value, case_sensitive)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.63

Searches the JSON array at arrayPath for the first object whose value at relative path relPath equals or wildcard-matches value. The caseSensitive argument controls string comparison. Returns the matching record object.

Wildcard matching: The search value may contain * to match zero or more characters. relPath is evaluated relative to each record object in the array.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

More Information and Examples
top
FindRecord2
-- array_path is a string
-- rel_path is a string
-- value is a string
-- case_sensitive is a boolean
-- json_obj is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:find_record2(array_path, rel_path, value, case_sensitive, json_obj)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Searches the JSON array at arrayPath using the same matching rules as FindRecord. On success, jsonObj is updated to reference the first matching record and the method returns true.

Reference semantics: The destination references the record in the original JSON document; changes made through jsonObj modify that record.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
FindRecordString
-- array_path is a string
-- rel_path is a string
-- value is a string
-- case_sensitive is a boolean
-- ret_rel_path is a string
-- str is a string, or nil and err on failure
local str, err = json:find_record_string(array_path, rel_path, value, case_sensitive, ret_rel_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.63

Searches the JSON array at arrayPath for the first record whose relPath value equals or wildcard-matches value, then returns the value at retRelPath from that same record as a string.

Typical use: This is useful for lookups such as “find the record where Name is Advertising and return its Id.” The * wildcard may be used in value.

Returns the string, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
FirebaseApplyEvent
-- name is a string
-- data is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:firebase_apply_event(name, data)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Applies a Firebase Realtime Database event to this JSON object. name should be put or patch, and data should contain event JSON such as {"path":"/","data":{"a":1,"b":2}}.

Purpose: This method is useful when maintaining a local JSON representation from Firebase server-sent events: put replaces the value at a path, while patch updates individual child keys.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
FirebasePatch
-- json_path is a string
-- json_data is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:firebase_patch(json_path, json_data)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Applies Firebase-style patch semantics at jsonPath. jsonData must contain a JSON object; each key in that object updates or adds the corresponding key at the target path.

Relative path: jsonPath is relative to this JsonObject.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
FirebasePut
-- json_path is a string
-- value is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:firebase_put(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Applies Firebase-style put semantics at jsonPath, replacing or inserting the value at that path. value is JSON text and may represent an object, array, number, boolean, null, or a quoted JSON string.

Quoted strings: To store a string through this method, value must contain a valid JSON string literal, including its surrounding double quotes. Use UpdateString when you already have an ordinary application string.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
GetDocRoot
-- json2 is a chilkat.JsonObject, or nil and err on failure
local json2, err = json:get_doc_root()
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns a JsonObject reference to the root object of the JSON document containing this object. This can be called from any nested object reference.

Shared document lifetime: Nested JsonObject references share the same underlying JSON document. The document remains available while at least one such reference is retained by the application.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

More Information and Examples
top
GetDocRoot2
-- doc_root is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:get_doc_root2(doc_root)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Updates docRoot to reference the root object of the JSON document containing the caller and returns true on success.

Reference semantics: The destination is another reference into the same underlying document; it is not a copy.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
HasMember
-- json_path is a string
-- flag is true or false
local flag = json:has_member(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Returns true if a value exists at jsonPath; otherwise returns false.

Missing vs. null: A member whose JSON value is null still exists. Use IsNullOf to test specifically for JSON null.

Returns true or false: an answer, not a success flag.

top
IndexOf
-- name is a string
-- n is an integer
local n = json:index_of(name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the zero-based position of the direct member named name, or -1 if that member name is not found.

Not a path: name is searched only among the direct members of this object.
More Information and Examples
top
IntAt
-- index is an integer
-- n is an integer
local n = json:int_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the integer value of the member at zero-based position index.

Indexing: Member indexes are based on the order maintained by this JsonObject instance. JSON objects are semantically unordered, so application protocols should normally identify values by member name rather than by position.
More Information and Examples
top
IntOf
-- json_path is a string
-- n is an integer
local n = json:int_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the integer value at jsonPath. The path is evaluated relative to this JsonObject, after applying PathPrefix if one is set.

Large numbers: Use StringOf or the exact numeric-text APIs when a JSON integer may exceed the range of the language binding's integer type.
top
IsNullAt
-- index is an integer
-- flag is true or false
local flag = json:is_null_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns true if the member at zero-based position index has the JSON value null; otherwise returns false.

Returns true or false: an answer, not a success flag.

More Information and Examples
top
IsNullOf
-- json_path is a string
-- flag is true or false
local flag = json:is_null_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns true if the value at jsonPath is the JSON literal null; otherwise returns false.

Null is a value: JSON null is different from a missing member and from an empty string. Use HasMember when existence must be tested separately.

Returns true or false: an answer, not a success flag.

More Information and Examples
top
JsonTypeOf
-- json_path is a string
-- n is an integer
local n = json:json_type_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.68

Returns an integer identifying the JSON type of the value at jsonPath. Returns -1 if no member exists at that path.

1string
2number
3object
4array
5boolean
6null
top
Load
-- json is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:load(json)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Parses the JSON text in json and loads the parsed data into this object for DOM-style access and modification.

JSON data model: JSON values are strings, numbers, booleans, null, objects, or arrays. Object member names should be unique for interoperable JSON; RFC 8259 notes that consumers differ in how duplicate names are handled.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
LoadBd
-- bd is a chilkat.BinData
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:load_bd(bd)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.77

Parses JSON from the bytes contained in bd and loads it into this object.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
LoadFile
-- path is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:load_file(path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Reads JSON text from the file at path, parses it, and loads the result into this object.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
LoadPredefined
-- name is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:load_predefined(name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.67

Loads this object from the predefined JSON document identified by name. Predefined documents are created with Predefine.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
LoadSb
-- sb is a chilkat.StringBuilder
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:load_sb(sb)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.62

Parses JSON from the current contents of sb and loads it into this object.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
MakeCopy
-- json is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:make_copy(json)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Copies this JSON object into json. The destination receives an independent JSON copy rather than another reference to the same underlying object.

Copy vs. reference: Use CopyRef when two JsonObject instances should refer to the same JSON object instead of duplicating its data.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
MoveMember
-- from_index is an integer
-- to_index is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:move_member(from_index, to_index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.80

Moves the direct member at zero-based position fromIndex to toIndex. Use toIndex = 0 to move it first or -1 to move it last.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
NameAt
-- index is an integer
-- str is a string, or nil and err on failure
local str, err = json:name_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the name of the member at zero-based position index. Use this with Size and TypeAt to iterate through an object's direct members.

Returns the string, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
NewArrayOf
-- path is a string
-- j_arr is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:new_array_of(path, j_arr)
Introduced in version 11.4.0

Creates a JSON array at path and loads that array from the JSON text in jArr. The supplied text should represent a JSON array.

Difference from UpdateNewArray: UpdateNewArray creates an empty array. NewArrayOf creates the array and immediately populates it from JSON text.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
NewObjectOf
-- path is a string
-- j_obj is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:new_object_of(path, j_obj)
Introduced in version 11.4.0

Creates a JSON object at path and loads that object from the JSON text in jObj. The supplied text should represent a JSON object.

Difference from UpdateNewObject: UpdateNewObject creates an empty object. NewObjectOf creates the object and immediately populates it from JSON text.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
ObjectAt
-- index is an integer
-- json2 is a chilkat.JsonObject, or nil and err on failure
local json2, err = json:object_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the JSON object stored in the member at zero-based position index. The returned JsonObject references the existing child object in the same document; changes made through it modify that document.

Type requirement: The member at index must be a JSON object. Use TypeAt when the type is not already known.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

More Information and Examples
top
ObjectAt2
-- index is an integer
-- json_obj is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:object_at2(index, json_obj)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Updates jsonObj to reference the JSON object stored at zero-based member position index and returns true on success.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
ObjectOf
-- json_path is a string
-- json2 is a chilkat.JsonObject, or nil and err on failure
local json2, err = json:object_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the JSON object at jsonPath. The returned object is a live reference into the same JSON document, not a copy.

Relative paths: A path is evaluated relative to the current object. Use GetDocRoot when access must start from the document root.

Returns a new object, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead. The returned object is independent of this one.

More Information and Examples
top
ObjectOf2
-- json_path is a string
-- json_obj is a chilkat.JsonObject
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:object_of2(json_path, json_obj)
Introduced in version 11.0.0

Updates jsonObj to reference the JSON object at jsonPath and returns true on success.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
Predefine
-- name is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:predefine(name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.67

Stores this JSON document in Chilkat's internal global collection of predefined JSON documents under name. If the name already exists, the predefined value is replaced.

Template use: After predefining a document, another JsonObject can load it by name with LoadPredefined.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
Rename
-- old_name is a string
-- new_name is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:rename(old_name, new_name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Renames the direct member oldName to newName. The member value and its position are otherwise unchanged.

JSON interoperability: JSON object member names should be unique. Avoid renaming a member to a name already used by another member unless duplicate names are intentionally required.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
RenameAt
-- index is an integer
-- name is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:rename_at(index, name)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Renames the member at zero-based position index to name. The member value is not changed.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetBoolAt
-- index is an integer
-- value is a boolean
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_bool_at(index, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the member at zero-based position index to a JSON boolean value.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetBoolOf
-- json_path is a string
-- value is a boolean
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_bool_of(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the value at jsonPath to a JSON boolean value.

Set vs. Update: Use UpdateBool when missing objects or array positions along the path should be created automatically.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetIntAt
-- index is an integer
-- value is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_int_at(index, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the member at zero-based position index to a JSON number value. The integer is emitted as a JSON number.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetIntOf
-- json_path is a string
-- value is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_int_of(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the value at jsonPath to an integer JSON number.

Set vs. Update: Use UpdateInt when missing objects or array positions along the path should be created automatically.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetNullAt
-- index is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_null_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the member at zero-based position index to a JSON null value.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetNullOf
-- json_path is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_null_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the value at jsonPath to a JSON null value.

Set vs. Update: Use UpdateNull when missing objects or array positions along the path should be created automatically.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetNumberAt
-- index is an integer
-- value is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_number_at(index, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the member at zero-based position index to a JSON number value. The value argument is the exact textual representation of the JSON number.

JSON number syntax: The text may contain an integer, fraction, or exponent. It must be valid JSON number syntax; leading zeros (except for zero itself), NaN, and infinity are not valid JSON numbers.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetNumberOf
-- json_path is a string
-- value is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_number_of(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the value at jsonPath to a JSON number value. The value argument supplies the exact textual form of the JSON number.

Set vs. Update: Use UpdateNumber when missing objects or array positions along the path should be created automatically.
Precision: Using numeric text avoids an intermediate conversion through a floating-point type and can therefore preserve large integers or application-specific decimal formatting.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetStringAt
-- index is an integer
-- value is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_string_at(index, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the member at zero-based position index to a JSON string value. The string is escaped as required when JSON is emitted.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SetStringOf
-- json_path is a string
-- value is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:set_string_of(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Sets the value at jsonPath to a JSON string value. The string is escaped as required when JSON is emitted.

Set vs. Update: Use UpdateString when missing objects or array positions along the path should be created automatically.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
SizeOfArray
-- json_path is a string
-- n is an integer
local n = json:size_of_array(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the number of elements in the JSON array at jsonPath. Returns -1 if the path does not resolve to an existing JSON array.

More Information and Examples
top
Sort
-- ascending is a boolean
-- case_sensitive is a boolean
json:sort(ascending, case_sensitive)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.100

Sorts this object's direct members by member name. ascending selects ascending or descending order, and caseSensitive controls how names are compared.

JSON semantics: Member ordering is not significant to JSON consumers, but sorting can make emitted JSON deterministic and easier to compare or review.
More Information and Examples
top
StringAt
-- index is an integer
-- str is a string, or nil and err on failure
local str, err = json:string_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the string value of the member at zero-based position index.

Indexing: Member indexes are based on the order maintained by this JsonObject instance. JSON objects are semantically unordered, so application protocols should normally identify values by member name rather than by position.
Non-string values: StringOf can also provide textual representations of scalar JSON values such as numbers, booleans, and null; use the type-specific methods when the JSON type itself matters.

Returns the string, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
StringOf
-- json_path is a string
-- str is a string, or nil and err on failure
local str, err = json:string_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.56

Returns the value at jsonPath as text. For a JSON string, the string value is returned. Scalar non-string values such as numbers, booleans, and null are returned using their JSON textual representation.

Type-sensitive code: Use JsonTypeOf, IntOf, BoolOf, or IsNullOf when the distinction between JSON types is important.

Returns the string, or nil, err on failure (or when nothing is found). The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
StringOfEquals
-- json_path is a string
-- value is a string
-- case_sensitive is a boolean
-- flag is true or false
local flag = json:string_of_equals(json_path, value, case_sensitive)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.96

Returns true if the textual value at jsonPath equals value according to the caseSensitive setting; otherwise returns false.

Returns true or false: an answer, not a success flag.

top
StringOfSb
-- json_path is a string
-- sb is a chilkat.StringBuilder
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:string_of_sb(json_path, sb)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.68

Retrieves the value at jsonPath as text and appends it to sb.

Append behavior: Existing contents of the destination StringBuilder are preserved.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
Swap
-- index1 is an integer
-- index2 is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:swap(index1, index2)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.76

Swaps the positions of the direct members at zero-based indexes index1 and index2. Member names and values are unchanged.

Ordering: JSON object order is not semantically significant, but Chilkat preserves an order for index-based access and emission.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
TypeAt
-- index is an integer
-- n is an integer
local n = json:type_at(index)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.58

Returns an integer identifying the JSON type of the member at zero-based position index. Returns -1 if no member exists at that index.

1string
2number
3object
4array
5boolean
6null
top
UIntOf
-- json_path is a string
-- n is an integer
local n = json:uint_of(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.96

Returns the unsigned integer value at jsonPath.

top
UpdateBd
-- json_path is a string
-- encoding is a string
-- bd is a chilkat.BinData
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_bd(json_path, encoding, bd)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.68

Updates the value at jsonPath to a JSON string value, or creates the member and any missing path components as needed. The bytes in bd are first encoded according to encoding (for example, base64 or hex) and the encoded text is stored as the JSON string value.

Path-based operation: jsonPath is interpreted using DelimiterChar, PathPrefix, and the I/J/K index substitutions.
Binary data in JSON: JSON has no native byte-array type. Binary content must therefore be represented using a textual encoding agreed upon by the producer and consumer.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
UpdateBool
-- json_path is a string
-- value is a boolean
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_bool(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.63

Updates the value at jsonPath to a JSON boolean value, or creates the member and any missing path components as needed.

Path-based operation: jsonPath is interpreted using DelimiterChar, PathPrefix, and the I/J/K index substitutions.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
UpdateInt
-- json_path is a string
-- value is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_int(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.63

Updates the value at jsonPath to a JSON number value, or creates the member and any missing path components as needed. The integer value is stored as a JSON number.

Path-based operation: jsonPath is interpreted using DelimiterChar, PathPrefix, and the I/J/K index substitutions.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
UpdateNewArray
-- json_path is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_new_array(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.75

Creates or replaces the value at jsonPath with a new empty JSON array. Missing path components are created automatically as needed.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
UpdateNewObject
-- json_path is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_new_object(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.75

Creates or replaces the value at jsonPath with a new empty JSON object. Missing path components are created automatically as needed.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
UpdateNull
-- json_path is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_null(json_path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.65

Updates the value at jsonPath to a JSON null value, or creates the member and any missing path components as needed.

Path-based operation: jsonPath is interpreted using DelimiterChar, PathPrefix, and the I/J/K index substitutions.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
UpdateNumber
-- json_path is a string
-- numeric_str is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_number(json_path, numeric_str)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.65

Updates the value at jsonPath to a JSON number value, or creates the member and any missing path components as needed. The numericStr argument is stored as the exact textual representation of the JSON number.

Path-based operation: jsonPath is interpreted using DelimiterChar, PathPrefix, and the I/J/K index substitutions.
When to use: Use UpdateNumber instead of UpdateInt for decimal/exponent forms, very large integers, or when preserving exact numeric text is important.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
UpdateSb
-- json_path is a string
-- sb is a chilkat.StringBuilder
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_sb(json_path, sb)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.68

Updates the value at jsonPath to a JSON string value, or creates the member and any missing path components as needed. The new string value is taken from the contents of sb.

Path-based operation: jsonPath is interpreted using DelimiterChar, PathPrefix, and the I/J/K index substitutions.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
UpdateString
-- json_path is a string
-- value is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_string(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.63

Updates the value at jsonPath to a JSON string value, or creates the member and any missing path components as needed. The supplied string is JSON-escaped as needed.

Path-based operation: jsonPath is interpreted using DelimiterChar, PathPrefix, and the I/J/K index substitutions.
Version note: Chilkat versions prior to 9.5.0.68 did not correctly escape all characters for this method. Version 9.5.0.68 and later correct that behavior.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

More Information and Examples
top
UpdateUInt
-- json_path is a string
-- value is an integer
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:update_uint(json_path, value)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.96

Updates the value at jsonPath to a JSON number value, or creates the member and any missing path components as needed. The unsigned integer is stored as a JSON number.

Path-based operation: jsonPath is interpreted using DelimiterChar, PathPrefix, and the I/J/K index substitutions.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top
WriteFile
-- path is a string
-- ok is true, or nil and err on failure
local ok, err = json:write_file(path)
Introduced in version 9.5.0.76

Serializes this JSON and writes it to the file at path. Output formatting follows EmitCompact and EmitCrLf.

Returns true on success, nil, err on failure. The second return value, err, is the object's last_error_text; wrap the call in assert() to raise an error instead.

top