libjson-rpc-cpp vs json-rpc-cxx – which one should I use?

Use libjson-rpc-cpp if you need mature, full JSON-RPC 2.0 support with built-in transports like HTTP and Redis. Opt for json-rpc-cxx if you prefer a modern, header-only C++17 library with fewer dependencies, as recommended in the README for newer projects.

How to generate stubs for a JSON-RPC server using libjson-rpc-cpp?

Run the jsonrpcstub tool with your JSON specification file and flags like --cpp-server to create abstract server classes, then implement the virtual methods, as detailed in the README's step-by-step example.

Does libjson-rpc-cpp support WebSocket transport?

No, the README lists HTTP, TCP, Redis, and Unix sockets as built-in transports, but WebSocket is not mentioned, so you'd need to implement it customly using the extensible architecture.

Can I use libjson-rpc-cpp in a Windows project?

Yes, but it requires downloading a pre-compiled installer from the project's website, as native builds are not straightforward like on Linux or macOS, per the installation instructions.

What are the performance implications of using this framework?

Performance depends on the transport used (e.g., HTTP adds overhead), and the library relies on external dependencies like libmicrohttpd, which may impact latency compared to minimal RPC solutions.

Is libjson-rpc-cpp still maintained?

The README shows active CI testing and updates, but it promotes a newer alternative, suggesting maintenance might slow down in favor of the header-only version.

Open-Awesome

libjson-rpc-cpp

MITC++v1.4.1

A cross-platform C++ framework for building JSON-RPC 2.0 & 1.0 compatible client and server applications.

GitHub

984 stars324 forks0 contributors

What is libjson-rpc-cpp?

libjson-rpc-cpp is a C++ framework for implementing JSON-RPC (JSON Remote Procedure Call) clients and servers. It provides full compatibility with JSON-RPC 2.0 and partial support for 1.0, enabling developers to build distributed systems with standardized remote communication. The framework includes tools like a stub generator and ready-to-use transport layers to streamline RPC application development.

Target Audience

C++ developers building distributed systems, microservices, or any application requiring remote procedure calls over JSON-RPC protocols. It is particularly useful for projects needing cross-platform RPC support with extensible transport options.

Value Proposition

Developers choose libjson-rpc-cpp for its comprehensive JSON-RPC compliance, cross-platform readiness, and productivity features like automatic stub generation. Its modular architecture and liberal MIT license make it a flexible and accessible choice for both open-source and commercial projects.

Overview

C++ framework for json-rpc (json remote procedure call)

Use Cases

Best For

Building JSON-RPC servers and clients in C++ applications
Generating stub code for multiple languages from JSON-RPC specifications
Implementing cross-platform RPC communication with HTTP or TCP transports
Developing microservices that require standardized remote procedure calls
Extending existing systems with custom JSON-RPC connectors or transports
Creating tools that interact with JSON-RPC APIs like Ethereum or Bitcoin nodes

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring a lightweight, header-only JSON-RPC library without external dependencies
Systems that need full JSON-RPC 1.0 compatibility for legacy integration
Teams prioritizing modern C++17+ features and minimal setup, as the README promotes a newer alternative (json-rpc-cxx)
Environments where easy cross-platform support for Windows is critical, as native builds rely on a separate installer

Pros & Cons

Pros

Full Protocol Compliance

Supports complete JSON-RPC 2.0 and partial 1.0 specifications, ensuring standardized remote procedure calls for both clients and servers, as stated in the README.

Stub Generation Automation

Includes jsonrpcstub tool to automatically generate client and server stub classes from JSON spec files, supporting C++, JavaScript, and Python, reducing manual coding effort.

Built-in Transport Layers

Offers ready-to-use HTTP, TCP, Redis, and Unix socket connectors, allowing quick integration without custom transport implementation, as highlighted in the features.

Extensible Architecture

Designed with a clean, modular structure that makes it easy to add new transports or customize features, per the README's emphasis on extensibility.

Cons

Legacy Codebase Warning

The README explicitly promotes a newer header-only implementation (json-rpc-cxx), indicating this library may be outdated or less optimized for modern C++ development.

Heavy Dependency Chain

Requires multiple external libraries like libcurl and libmicrohttpd, complicating installation and increasing project footprint compared to lighter alternatives.

Complex Build Configuration

Involves numerous CMake flags to enable or disable features (e.g., transports), adding overhead and potential for errors in setup, as seen in the build options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

bRPC

brpc is an Industrial-grade RPC framework using C++ Language, which is often used in high performance system such as Search, Storage, Machine learning, Advertisement, Recommendation etc. "brpc" means "better RPC".

Stars17,500

Forks4,102

Last commit7 days ago

Cap'n Proto

Cap'n Proto serialization/RPC system - core tools and C++ library

nanomsg library

Last commit6 months ago

nng

nanomsg-next-generation -- light-weight brokerless messaging

Stars4,573

Forks556

Last commit1 month ago

Community-curated · Updated weekly · 100% open source

Found a gem we're missing?

Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.

Submit a project Star on GitHub