Question 1

How do I install json-patch-php if it's not on Packagist?

Accepted Answer

You need to manually add a VCS repository in your composer.json pointing to the GitHub URL, as shown in the README, then require dev-master. This method lacks version stability and automatic updates compared to Packagist.

Question 2

Can json-patch-php handle JSON objects as PHP stdClass?

Accepted Answer

No, it only works with associative arrays from json_decode($json, true). You must convert stdClass objects to arrays before using the library, which adds extra steps.

Question 3

What is SimpleXML mode and when should I use it?

Accepted Answer

SimpleXML mode is for handling arrays from XML parsed with SimpleXML, where scalar values are treated as length-1 arrays. Enable it when working with XML-derived JSON data to ensure correct patch application and avoid errors.

Question 4

How to generate a diff between two JSON strings with json-patch-php?

Accepted Answer

First, decode both JSON strings into associative arrays using json_decode($json, true). Then use JsonPatch::diff($srcArray, $dstArray) to get an array of patch operations that transform the source to the destination.

Question 5

json-patch-php vs justinrainbow/json-patch: which one to choose?

Accepted Answer

json-patch-php offers strict RFC compliance and SimpleXML mode for XML integration, while justinrainbow/json-patch is more popular, on Packagist, and has better community support. Choose based on need for XML features vs. ease of use and maintenance.

Question 6

Does json-patch-php support all RFC 6902 operations like test and move?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it fully implements RFC 6902, supporting all standard operations: add, remove, replace, move, copy, and test. You can apply these via JsonPatch::patch with the appropriate patch array.

Question 7

How to handle errors when a JSON patch fails to apply?

Accepted Answer

The library may throw exceptions or return error states; check the source code or test cases for patterns, as the README lacks detailed error handling documentation. Implement try-catch blocks or validation in your code.

json-patch-php

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