Question 1

How to parse JSON with cJSON in C without memory leaks?

Accepted Answer

Use cJSON_Parse on a zero-terminated string, then always call cJSON_Delete on the returned tree. For printed strings, free them with your allocator. The README emphasizes ownership rules to prevent leaks.

Question 2

Is cJSON thread-safe for multi-threaded servers?

Accepted Answer

No, cJSON is not generally thread-safe. For thread-safe parsing, use cJSON_ParseWithOpts with return_parse_end and avoid cJSON_GetErrorPtr. Hooks must be set before threading begins.

Question 3

cJSON vs jsmn: which is better for embedded systems?

Accepted Answer

cJSON is tree-based and easier for manipulation but uses more memory; jsmn is a streaming parser with lower footprint. Choose cJSON for simple APIs and full tree access, jsmn for strict memory constraints.

Question 4

Can cJSON handle JSON with comments or trailing commas?

Accepted Answer

No, cJSON follows strict JSON standards and will fail to parse comments or trailing commas. It's designed for standard JSON only, not extensions.

Question 5

How to install cJSON on Windows without CMake?

Accepted Answer

Copy cJSON.h and cJSON.c directly into your project, or use Vcpkg with 'vcpkg install cjson'. The README details multiple methods, including Meson for alternative builds.

Question 6

What are the performance limits of cJSON with large JSON files?

Accepted Answer

cJSON parses the entire JSON into a tree in memory, which can be slow and memory-intensive for large files. For better performance, consider a streaming parser if tree manipulation isn't needed.

cJSON

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