== JSON

To manipulate JSON object, Vert.x proposes its own implementation of `JsonObject` and
`JsonArray`.

This is because, unlike some other languages, Java does not have first class
support for http://json.org/[JSON].

When developping a vert.x application with Groovy, you can rely on these two classes, or use the
(http://www.groovy-lang.org/json.html)[JSON support from Groovy]. This section explains how to use the Vert.x
classes.

NOTE: Most vert.x methods taking a JSON object as argument in their Java version, take a map instead.


=== JSON objects

The `JsonObject` class represents JSON objects.

A JSON object is basically just a map which has string keys and values can be of one of the JSON supported types
(string, number, boolean).

JSON objects also support `null` values.

==== Creating JSON objects

Empty JSON objects can be created with the default constructor.

You can create a JSON object from a string or g-string JSON representation as follows:

[source,groovy]
----
def object = new JsonObject("{\"foo\":\"bar\"}")
def object2 = new JsonObject("""
{
 "foo": "bar"
}
""")
----

In Groovy it's also convenient to create a JSON object from a map:

[source, groovy]
----
def map = [ "foo" : "bar" ]
def json = new JsonObject(map)
----

Nested maps are transformed to nested JSON objects.

==== Putting entries into a JSON object

Use the `put` methods to put values into the JSON object.

The method invocations can be chained because of the fluent API:

[source,java]
----
def object = new JsonObject()
object.put("foo", "bar").put("num", 123).put("mybool", true)
----

==== Getting values from a JSON object

You get values from a JSON object using the `getXXX` methods, for example:

[source,java]
----
dev val1 = jsonObject.getString("some-key")
def val2 = jsonObject.getInteger("some-other-key")
----

==== Encoding the JSON object to a String

You use `encode` to encode the object to a String form. There is also a
`encodePrettily` that makes the output pretty (understand multi-line and
indented).

=== JSON arrays

The `JsonArray` class represents JSON arrays.

A JSON array is a sequence of values (string, number, boolean).

JSON arrays can also contain `null` values.

==== Creating JSON arrays

Empty JSON arrays can be created with the default constructor.

You can create a JSON array from a string JSON representation or a map as follows:

[source,groovy]
----
def object = new JsonObject("""{foo:["bar", "baz"}""")
def object2 = new JsonObject(["foo": ["bar", "baz"]])
----

==== Adding entries into a JSON array

You add entries to a JSON array using the `add` methods.

[source,groovy]
----
def array = new JsonArray()
array.add("foo").add(123).add(false)
----

==== Getting values from a JSON array

You get values from a JSON array using the `getXXX` methods, for example:

[source,groovy]
----
def val = array.getString(0)
def intVal = array.getInteger(1)
def boolVal = array.getBoolean(2)
----

==== Encoding the JSON array to a String

You use `encode` to encode the array to a String form. There is also a
`encodePrettily` that makes the output pretty (understand multi-line and
indented).