JsonGem - Oj

# Oj JSON Gem Compatibility¶ ↑

The `:compat` mode mimics the json gem. The json gem is built around the use of the `to_json(*)` method defined for a class. Oj attempts to provide the same functionality by being a drop in replacement for the 2.0.x version of the json gem with a few exceptions. First a description of the json gem behavior and then the differences between the json gem and the Oj.mimic_JSON behavior.

    require 'oj'

    Oj.mimic_JSON()
    Oj.add_to_json(Array, BigDecimal, Complex, Date, DateTime, Exception, Hash, Integer, OpenStruct, Range, Rational, Regexp, Struct, Time)
    # Alternativel just call without arguments to add all available.
    # Oj.add_to_json()

The json gem monkey patches core and base library classes with a `to_json(*)` method. This allows calls such as `obj.to_json()` to be used to generate a JSON string. The json gem also provides the JSON.generate, JSON.dump, and JSON() functions. These functions generally act the same with some exceptions such as JSON.generate, JSON(), and to_json raise an exception when attempting to encode infinity while JSON.dump returns a the string “Infinity”. The String class is also monkey patched with to_json_raw() and to_json_raw_object(). Oj in mimic mode mimics this behavior including the seemly inconsistent behavior with NaN and Infinity.

Any class can define a to_json() method and JSON.generate, JSON.dump, and JSON() functions will call that method when an object of that type is encountered when traversing a Hash or Array. The core classes monkey patches can be over-ridden but unless the to_json() method is called directory the to_json() method will be ignored. Oj in mimic mode follow the same logic,

The json gem includes additions. These additions change the behavior of some library and core classes. These additions also add the as_json() method and json_create() class method. They are activated by requiring the appropriate files. As an example, to get the modified to_json() for the Rational class this line would be added.

    require 'json/add/rational'

Oj in mimic mode does not include these files although it will support the modified to_json() methods. In keeping with the goal of providing a faster encoder Oj offers an alternative. To activate faster addition version of the to_json() method call

    Oj.add_to_json(Rational)

To revert back to the unoptimized version, just remove the Oj flag on that class.

    Oj.remove_to_json(Rational)

The classes that can be added are:

- Array

- BigDecimal

- Complex

- Date

- DateTime

- Exception

- Hash

- Integer

- OpenStruct

- Range

- Rational

- Regexp

- Struct

- Time

The compatibility target version is 2.0.3. The json gem unit tests were used to verify compatibility with a few changes to use Oj instead of the original gem.