/*
 * Copyright (c) 2011, 2017 Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
 *
 * This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
 * terms of the Eclipse Public License v. 2.0, which is available at
 * http://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-2.0.
 *
 * This Source Code may also be made available under the following Secondary
 * Licenses when the conditions for such availability set forth in the
 * Eclipse Public License v. 2.0 are satisfied: GNU General Public License,
 * version 2 with the GNU Classpath Exception, which is available at
 * https://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/license.html.
 *
 * SPDX-License-Identifier: EPL-2.0 OR GPL-2.0 WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
 */

package javax.json.stream;

import javax.json.JsonValue;
import java.io.Closeable;
import java.io.Flushable;
import java.math.BigDecimal;
import java.math.BigInteger;

Writes JSON data to an output source in a streaming way. The class Json contains methods to create generators for character or output streams (Writer and OutputStream).

The following example shows how to create a JSON generator:


JsonGenerator generator = Json.createGenerator(...);

The class JsonGeneratorFactory also contains methods to create JsonGenerator instances. JsonGeneratorFactory should be used when creating multiple generator instances, as in the following example:


JsonGeneratorFactory factory = Json.createGeneratorFactory();
JsonGenerator generator1 = factory.createGenerator(...);
JsonGenerator generator2 = factory.createGenerator(...);

JSON objects can be created using JsonGenerator by calling the writeStartObject() method and then adding name/value pairs with the write method.

The following example shows how to generate an empty JSON object:


JsonGenerator generator = ...;
generator.writeStartObject().writeEnd().close();

JSON arrays can be created using JsonGenerator by calling the writeStartArray() method and then adding values with the write method.

The following example shows how to generate an empty JSON array:


JsonGenerator generator = ...;
generator.writeStartArray().writeEnd().close();

Other JSON values (that are not JSON objects or arrays) can be created by calling the appropiate write methods.

The following example shows how to generate a JSON string:


JsonGenerator generator = ...;
generator.write("message").close();
JsonGenerator methods can be chained as in the following example:

generator
    .writeStartObject()
        .write("firstName", "John")
        .write("lastName", "Smith")
        .write("age", 25)
        .writeStartObject("address")
            .write("streetAddress", "21 2nd Street")
            .write("city", "New York")
            .write("state", "NY")
            .write("postalCode", "10021")
        .writeEnd()
        .writeStartArray("phoneNumber")
            .writeStartObject()
                .write("type", "home")
                .write("number", "212 555-1234")
            .writeEnd()
            .writeStartObject()
                .write("type", "fax")
                .write("number", "646 555-4567")
            .writeEnd()
        .writeEnd()
    .writeEnd();
generator.close();

The example code above generates the following JSON (or equivalent):

{
  "firstName": "John", "lastName": "Smith", "age": 25,
  "address" : {
      "streetAddress": "21 2nd Street",
      "city": "New York",
      "state": "NY",
      "postalCode": "10021"
  },
  "phoneNumber": [
      {"type": "home", "number": "212 555-1234"},
      {"type": "fax", "number": "646 555-4567"}
   ]
}

The generated JSON text must strictly conform to the grammar defined in RFC 7159.
See Also:
/** * Writes JSON data to an output source in a streaming way. The class * {@link javax.json.Json} contains methods to create generators for character * or output streams ({@link java.io.Writer} and {@link java.io.OutputStream}). * * <p> * The following example shows how to create a JSON generator: * <pre> * <code> * JsonGenerator generator = Json.createGenerator(...); * </code> * </pre> * * <p> * The class {@link JsonGeneratorFactory} also contains methods to create * {@code JsonGenerator} instances. {@link JsonGeneratorFactory} should be used * when creating multiple generator instances, as in the following example: * <pre> * <code> * JsonGeneratorFactory factory = Json.createGeneratorFactory(); * JsonGenerator generator1 = factory.createGenerator(...); * JsonGenerator generator2 = factory.createGenerator(...); * </code> * </pre> * * <p> * JSON objects can be created using {@code JsonGenerator} by calling the * {@link #writeStartObject()} method and then adding name/value pairs with the * {@code write} method. * <p> * The following example shows how to generate an empty JSON object: * <pre> * <code> * JsonGenerator generator = ...; * generator.writeStartObject().writeEnd().close(); * </code> * </pre> * * JSON arrays can be created using {@code JsonGenerator} by calling the * {@link #writeStartArray()} method and then adding values with the * {@code write} method. * * <p> * The following example shows how to generate an empty JSON array: * <pre> * <code> * JsonGenerator generator = ...; * generator.writeStartArray().writeEnd().close(); * </code> * </pre> * * <p> * Other JSON values (that are not JSON objects or arrays) can be created * by calling the appropiate {@code write} methods. * <p> * The following example shows how to generate a JSON string: * <pre><code> * JsonGenerator generator = ...; * generator.write("message").close(); * </code></pre> * * {@code JsonGenerator} methods can be chained as in the following example: * <pre> * <code> * generator * .writeStartObject() * .write("firstName", "John") * .write("lastName", "Smith") * .write("age", 25) * .writeStartObject("address") * .write("streetAddress", "21 2nd Street") * .write("city", "New York") * .write("state", "NY") * .write("postalCode", "10021") * .writeEnd() * .writeStartArray("phoneNumber") * .writeStartObject() * .write("type", "home") * .write("number", "212 555-1234") * .writeEnd() * .writeStartObject() * .write("type", "fax") * .write("number", "646 555-4567") * .writeEnd() * .writeEnd() * .writeEnd(); * generator.close(); * </code> * </pre> * * The example code above generates the following JSON (or equivalent): * <pre> * <code> * { * "firstName": "John", "lastName": "Smith", "age": 25, * "address" : { * "streetAddress": "21 2nd Street", * "city": "New York", * "state": "NY", * "postalCode": "10021" * }, * "phoneNumber": [ * {"type": "home", "number": "212 555-1234"}, * {"type": "fax", "number": "646 555-4567"} * ] * } * </code> * </pre> * * The generated JSON text must strictly conform to the grammar defined in * <a href="http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc7159.txt">RFC 7159</a>. * * @see javax.json.Json * @see JsonGeneratorFactory */
public interface JsonGenerator extends Flushable, /*Auto*/Closeable {
Configuration property to generate JSON prettily. All providers must support this property. The value of the property could be be anything.
/** * Configuration property to generate JSON prettily. All providers * must support this property. The value of the property could be * be anything. */
String PRETTY_PRINTING = "javax.json.stream.JsonGenerator.prettyPrinting" ;
Writes the JSON start object character. It starts a new child object context within which JSON name/value pairs can be written to the object. This method is valid only in an array context, field context or in no context (when a context is not yet started). This method can only be called once in no context.
Throws:
  • JsonException – if an i/o error occurs (IOException would be cause of JsonException)
  • JsonGenerationException – if this method is called within an object context or if it is called more than once in no context.
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the JSON start object character. It starts a new child object * context within which JSON name/value pairs can be written to the object. * This method is valid only in an array context, field context or in no context (when a * context is not yet started). This method can only be called once in * no context. * * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is called within an * object context or if it is called more than once in no context. */
JsonGenerator writeStartObject();
Writes the JSON name/start object character pair in the current object context. It starts a new child object context within which JSON name/value pairs can be written to the object.
Params:
  • name – a name within the JSON name/object pair to be written
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the JSON name/start object character pair in the current * object context. It starts a new child object context within which JSON * name/value pairs can be written to the object. * * @param name a name within the JSON name/object pair to be written * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context */
JsonGenerator writeStartObject(String name);
Writes the JSON name with a colon. It starts a field context, in which valid options are writing a value, starting an object or an array. Writing value closes field context, if object or array is started after field name, field context will be closed after object/array close.
Params:
  • name – name of json field
Throws:
Returns:this generator
Since:1.1
/** * Writes the JSON name with a colon. It starts a field context, in which valid * options are writing a value, starting an object or an array. * * Writing value closes field context, if object or array is started after field name, * field context will be closed after object/array close. * * @param name name of json field * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context * * @since 1.1 */
JsonGenerator writeKey(String name);
Writes the JSON start array character. It starts a new child array context within which JSON values can be written to the array. This method is valid only in an array context, field context or in no context (when a context is not yet started). This method can only be called once in no context.
Throws:
  • JsonException – if an i/o error occurs (IOException would be cause of JsonException)
  • JsonGenerationException – if this method is called within an object context or if called more than once in no context
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the JSON start array character. It starts a new child array * context within which JSON values can be written to the array. This * method is valid only in an array context, field context or in no context (when a * context is not yet started). This method can only be called once in * no context. * * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is called within an * object context or if called more than once in no context */
JsonGenerator writeStartArray();
Writes the JSON name/start array character pair with in the current object context. It starts a new child array context within which JSON values can be written to the array.
Params:
  • name – a name within the JSON name/array pair to be written
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the JSON name/start array character pair with in the current * object context. It starts a new child array context within which JSON * values can be written to the array. * * @param name a name within the JSON name/array pair to be written * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within * an object context */
JsonGenerator writeStartArray(String name);
Writes a JSON name/value pair in the current object context.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/value pair to be written in current JSON object
  • value – a value in the JSON name/value pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/value pair in the current object context. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/value pair to be written in * current JSON object * @param value a value in the JSON name/value pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context */
JsonGenerator write(String name, JsonValue value);
Writes a JSON name/string value pair in the current object context. The specified value is written as JSON string value.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/string pair to be written in current JSON object
  • value – a value in the JSON name/string pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/string value pair in the current object context. * The specified value is written as JSON string value. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/string pair to be written in * current JSON object * @param value a value in the JSON name/string pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context */
JsonGenerator write(String name, String value);
Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The string new BigDecimal(value).toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
  • value – a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. * The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The string * {@code new BigDecimal(value).toString()} * is used as the text value for writing. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @param value a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context. */
JsonGenerator write(String name, BigInteger value);
Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The specified value's toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
  • value – a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. * The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The specified * value's {@code toString()} is used as the text value for writing. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @param value a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context. */
JsonGenerator write(String name, BigDecimal value);
Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The string new BigDecimal(value).toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
  • value – a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. * The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The string * {@code new BigDecimal(value).toString()} is used as the text value * for writing. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @param value a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context. */
JsonGenerator write(String name, int value);
Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The string new BigDecimal(value).toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
  • value – a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. * The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The string * {@code new BigDecimal(value).toString()} is used as the text * value for writing. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @param value a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context. */
JsonGenerator write(String name, long value);
Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The string BigDecimal.valueOf(double).toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
  • value – a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/number value pair in the current object context. * The specified value is written as a JSON number value. The string * {@code BigDecimal.valueOf(double).toString()} * is used as the text value for writing. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @param value a value in the JSON name/number pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws NumberFormatException if the value is Not-a-Number (NaN) or infinity. * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context */
JsonGenerator write(String name, double value);
Writes a JSON name/boolean value pair in the current object context. If value is true, it writes the JSON true value, otherwise it writes the JSON false value.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/boolean pair to be written in current JSON object
  • value – a value in the JSON name/boolean pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/boolean value pair in the current object context. * If value is true, it writes the JSON {@code true} value, otherwise * it writes the JSON {@code false} value. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/boolean pair to be written in * current JSON object * @param value a value in the JSON name/boolean pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context. */
JsonGenerator write(String name, boolean value);
Writes a JSON name/null value pair in an current object context.
Params:
  • name – a name in the JSON name/null pair to be written in current JSON object
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON name/null value pair in an current object context. * * @param name a name in the JSON name/null pair to be written in * current JSON object * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * object context */
JsonGenerator writeNull(String name);
Writes the end of the current context. If the current context is an array context, this method writes the end-of-array character (']'). If the current context is an object context, this method writes the end-of-object character ('}'). After writing the end of the current context, the parent context becomes the new current context. If parent context is field context, it is closed.
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the end of the current context. If the current context is * an array context, this method writes the end-of-array character (']'). * If the current context is an object context, this method writes the * end-of-object character ('}'). After writing the end of the current * context, the parent context becomes the new current context. * If parent context is field context, it is closed. * * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is called in no context. */
JsonGenerator writeEnd();
Writes the specified value as a JSON value within the current array, field or root context.
Params:
  • value – a value to be written in current JSON array
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the specified value as a JSON value within * the current array, field or root context. * * @param value a value to be written in current JSON array * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. */
JsonGenerator write(JsonValue value);
Writes the specified value as a JSON string value within the current array, field or root context.
Params:
  • value – a value to be written in current JSON array
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the specified value as a JSON string value within * the current array, field or root context. * * @param value a value to be written in current JSON array * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. */
JsonGenerator write(String value);
Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within the current array, field or root context. The specified value's toString() is used as the the text value for writing.
Params:
  • value – a value to be written in current JSON array
Throws:
See Also:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within * the current array, field or root context. The specified value's {@code toString()} * is used as the the text value for writing. * * @param value a value to be written in current JSON array * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. * * @see javax.json.JsonNumber */
JsonGenerator write(BigDecimal value);
Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within the current array, field or root context. The string new BigDecimal(value).toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • value – a value to be written in current JSON array
Throws:
See Also:
Returns:this generator.
/** * Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within * the current array, field or root context. The string {@code new BigDecimal(value).toString()} * is used as the text value for writing. * * @param value a value to be written in current JSON array * @return this generator. * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. * * @see javax.json.JsonNumber */
JsonGenerator write(BigInteger value);
Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within the current array, field or root context. The string new BigDecimal(value).toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • value – a value to be written in current JSON array
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within * the current array, field or root context. The string {@code new BigDecimal(value).toString()} * is used as the text value for writing. * * @param value a value to be written in current JSON array * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. */
JsonGenerator write(int value);
Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within the current array, field or root context. The string new BigDecimal(value).toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • value – a value to be written in current JSON array
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within * the current array, field or root context. The string {@code new BigDecimal(value).toString()} * is used as the text value for writing. * * @param value a value to be written in current JSON array * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. */
JsonGenerator write(long value);
Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within the current array, field or root context. The string BigDecimal.valueOf(value).toString() is used as the text value for writing.
Params:
  • value – a value to be written in current JSON array
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes the specified value as a JSON number value within the current * array, field or root context. The string {@code BigDecimal.valueOf(value).toString()} * is used as the text value for writing. * * @param value a value to be written in current JSON array * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. * @throws NumberFormatException if the value is Not-a-Number (NaN) or infinity. */
JsonGenerator write(double value);
Writes a JSON true or false value within the current array, field or root context. If value is true, this method writes the JSON true value, otherwise it writes the JSON false value.
Params:
  • value – a boolean value
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON true or false value within the current array, field or root context. * If value is true, this method writes the JSON {@code true} value, * otherwise it writes the JSON {@code false} value. * * @param value a {@code boolean} value * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. */
JsonGenerator write(boolean value);
Writes a JSON null value within the current array, field or root context.
Throws:
Returns:this generator
/** * Writes a JSON null value within the current array, field or root context. * * @return this generator * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if this method is not called within an * array or root context. */
JsonGenerator writeNull();
Closes this generator and frees any resources associated with it. This method closes the underlying output source.
Throws:
  • JsonException – if an i/o error occurs (IOException would be cause of JsonException)
  • JsonGenerationException – if an incomplete JSON is generated
/** * Closes this generator and frees any resources associated with it. * This method closes the underlying output source. * * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) * @throws JsonGenerationException if an incomplete JSON is generated */
@Override void close();
Flushes the underlying output source. If the generator has saved any characters in a buffer, writes them immediately to the underlying output source before flushing it.
Throws:
  • JsonException – if an i/o error occurs (IOException would be cause of JsonException)
/** * Flushes the underlying output source. If the generator has saved * any characters in a buffer, writes them immediately to the underlying * output source before flushing it. * * @throws javax.json.JsonException if an i/o error occurs (IOException * would be cause of JsonException) */
@Override void flush(); }