How do I install JSON-Fortran on Mac with Homebrew?

Run 'brew install --with-unicode-support json-fortran' after updating Homebrew. Note that this supports only a single Fortran compiler; for multiple compilers, use the CMake method as advised in the README.

Is JSON-Fortran better than FSON?

JSON-Fortran is a fork and extensive upgrade of FSON, adding object-oriented features, thread safety, and modern Fortran support. It's the recommended choice for new projects, while FSON is older and less maintained.

What Fortran compilers are compatible with JSON-Fortran?

It supports Intel Fortran 13.1+, GNU gfortran 4.9+, and NAG Fortran 6.0, as specified in the building section. Always check the README for the latest version requirements and any updates.

How to parse a JSON file in JSON-Fortran?

Use the 'json_file' type from the API to load and access data, similar to object-oriented patterns. Detailed examples are provided on the project wiki, including code snippets for common tasks.

Can JSON-Fortran handle large JSON files efficiently?

It's designed for general use in scientific applications, but performance might not be optimized for extremely large files. Benchmarking is recommended, as Fortran excels in numerical computing rather than text parsing.

JSON-Fortran or using a C library for JSON in Fortran?

JSON-Fortran offers a native Fortran API for easier integration, while a C library requires bindings and extra overhead. Choose based on your comfort with language interfacing and specific performance needs.

Open-Awesome

json-fortran

NOASSERTIONFortran9.3.1

A user-friendly, thread-safe, and object-oriented API for reading and writing JSON files in modern Fortran.

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377 stars95 forks0 contributors

What is json-fortran?

JSON-Fortran is a modern Fortran library that provides a full-featured API for reading and writing JSON files. It solves the problem of integrating JSON data interchange into Fortran applications, allowing them to parse configuration files, export results, or communicate with web services using this ubiquitous format.

Target Audience

Fortran developers working in scientific computing, engineering simulations, or legacy codebases who need to handle JSON data for configuration, output, or interoperability with other systems.

Value Proposition

Developers choose JSON-Fortran because it offers a thread-safe, object-oriented API designed specifically for modern Fortran, with broad compiler support and multiple build options, making it the most robust and user-friendly JSON library available for the Fortran ecosystem.

Overview

A Modern Fortran JSON API

Use Cases

Best For

Parsing JSON configuration files in Fortran-based scientific applications
Exporting numerical simulation results to JSON format for visualization or analysis
Integrating Fortran codes with web APIs that communicate via JSON
Reading JSON data from external sources into Fortran data structures
Creating JSON output logs or reports from high-performance computing (HPC) simulations
Modernizing legacy Fortran programs to support JSON data interchange

Not Ideal For

Legacy Fortran projects using compilers older than gfortran 4.9 or Intel Fortran 13.1.0
Applications requiring real-time, high-throughput JSON parsing where C/C++ libraries might offer better performance
Teams needing advanced JSON features like built-in schema validation or JSONPath queries
Projects where JSON handling is minimal and could be handled by simpler, ad-hoc parsing without library dependencies

Pros & Cons

Pros

Intuitive Object-Oriented API

Provides a clean, modern interface for reading and writing JSON, making it easier to integrate into Fortran code compared to lower-level approaches, as highlighted in the README's emphasis on usability.

Thread-Safe Design

Ensures safe concurrent access, which is crucial for multi-threaded scientific applications, a feature explicitly noted in the project's key strengths.

Wide Compiler Support

Compatible with major Fortran compilers like Intel, GNU gfortran 4.9+, and NAG, covering most modern development environments, as detailed in the building instructions.

Flexible Build Systems

Supports multiple build tools including CMake, FoBiS, Visual Studio, and FPM, allowing seamless integration into diverse project workflows, evidenced by the extensive build options documented.

Cons

Modern Compiler Requirement

Relies on Fortran 2003/2008 features, which excludes projects stuck with older compilers that lack these capabilities, limiting backward compatibility.

Build Complexity

While multiple build systems are offered, setting up with tools like FoBiS or CMake can be non-trivial for developers unfamiliar with these systems, adding initial overhead.

Limited Advanced Features

Focuses on core JSON parsing and generation without built-in support for more complex operations like schema validation or JSONPath, which might require additional workarounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

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