How do I parse a MessagePack file with MPack in C?

Use the Node API: initialize a tree with mpack_tree_init_filename(), parse it, extract nodes using helper functions like mpack_node_map_cstr(), and check for errors with mpack_tree_destroy(). It handles errors centrally, simplifying your code.

MPack vs msgpack-c: which is better for embedded systems?

MPack is generally better for embedded due to its smaller footprint, no libc requirement, and security features. msgpack-c is more feature-rich with broader language support but heavier, so choose based on your memory and performance constraints.

Can MPack convert MessagePack to JSON automatically?

No, MPack does not provide built-in JSON conversion. You must manually traverse the MPack node tree and generate JSON output, or use an external library, which adds complexity to your project.

How to handle encoding errors in MPack efficiently?

MPack uses stateful error handling; after writing data, check the final state with functions like mpack_writer_destroy(). Errors propagate automatically, so you only need to validate at the end, reducing redundant checks.

Is MPack suitable for use on Arduino or other microcontrollers?

Yes, MPack explicitly supports 8-bit microcontrollers like Arduino, with configurable features to minimize memory usage. Use the amalgamation package to embed it directly without external dependencies.

What are the performance benchmarks comparing MPack to JSON libraries?

MPack is extremely fast, outperforming many JSON and MessagePack libraries in benchmarks. For example, it can be several times faster than RapidJSON for equivalent data, thanks to its binary format and optimized parsing.

mpack — C MessagePack Serialization

What is mpack?

MPack is a C implementation of the MessagePack serialization format, providing encoder and decoder functionality for efficient binary data interchange. It solves the performance and size limitations of JSON by offering a compact, fast, and secure alternative for applications like embedded systems, games, and network communication. The library includes features like tree parsing, incremental reading, and customizable builds to fit various constraints.

Target Audience

C developers working on embedded systems, IoT devices, mobile applications, or any project requiring high-performance, low-footprint serialization with security against untrusted data.

Value Proposition

Developers choose MPack for its combination of simplicity, security, and speed in a lightweight package, along with extensive platform support and no external dependencies, making it a robust alternative to larger or less secure serialization libraries.

MPack - A C encoder/decoder for the MessagePack serialization format / msgpack.org[C]

Use Cases

Best For

Embedded systems and microcontrollers requiring minimal memory usage
High-performance applications where JSON parsing is too slow
Secure handling of untrusted serialized data from networks
Cross-platform projects targeting desktops, smartphones, and WebAssembly
Linux kernel modules needing in-kernel serialization
Games and real-time applications with strict performance requirements

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring JSON serialization without additional conversion layers
Teams working in multiple programming languages needing a unified serialization library with broad bindings
Applications that prioritize human-readable data formats for easy debugging or configuration
Environments where easy installation via package managers is preferred over embedding source code

Pros & Cons

Pros

High Performance

Benchmarks show MPack outperforms many JSON and MessagePack libraries, with some tests being several times faster than RapidJSON, making it ideal for speed-critical applications.

Security-First Design

Built-in protection against malicious or malformed input data, with stateful error handling that returns safe defaults like nil values, ensuring robust handling of untrusted sources.

Embedded Optimization

Minimal footprint and no libc requirement, allowing it to run on microcontrollers like Arduino and in the Linux kernel, with configurable features to reduce code size.

Flexible I/O Support

Supports memory buffers, files, and custom flush functions, with options for both tree-style and incremental parsing to adapt to different performance and memory constraints.

Cons

C-Language Lock-In

MPack is implemented solely in C and lacks official bindings for other languages, limiting its use in multi-language ecosystems without additional integration work.

Compile-Time Configuration Overhead

Customizing features at compile-time requires manual setup, such as downloading the amalgamation package or adjusting build flags, which can be more complex than using runtime-configurable libraries.

Limited Format Support

Strictly supports MessagePack; it does not include native JSON or other serialization formats, so interoperability with JSON-centric systems necessitates custom conversion code.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mpack?

Target Audience

C developers working on embedded systems, IoT devices, mobile applications, or any project requiring high-performance, low-footprint serialization with security against untrusted data.

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Embedded systems and microcontrollers requiring minimal memory usage
High-performance applications where JSON parsing is too slow
Secure handling of untrusted serialized data from networks
Cross-platform projects targeting desktops, smartphones, and WebAssembly
Linux kernel modules needing in-kernel serialization
Games and real-time applications with strict performance requirements

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring JSON serialization without additional conversion layers
Teams working in multiple programming languages needing a unified serialization library with broad bindings
Applications that prioritize human-readable data formats for easy debugging or configuration
Environments where easy installation via package managers is preferred over embedding source code

Pros & Cons

Pros

High Performance

Benchmarks show MPack outperforms many JSON and MessagePack libraries, with some tests being several times faster than RapidJSON, making it ideal for speed-critical applications.

Security-First Design

Built-in protection against malicious or malformed input data, with stateful error handling that returns safe defaults like nil values, ensuring robust handling of untrusted sources.

Embedded Optimization

Minimal footprint and no libc requirement, allowing it to run on microcontrollers like Arduino and in the Linux kernel, with configurable features to reduce code size.

Flexible I/O Support

Supports memory buffers, files, and custom flush functions, with options for both tree-style and incremental parsing to adapt to different performance and memory constraints.

Cons

C-Language Lock-In

MPack is implemented solely in C and lacks official bindings for other languages, limiting its use in multi-language ecosystems without additional integration work.

Compile-Time Configuration Overhead

Customizing features at compile-time requires manual setup, such as downloading the amalgamation package or adjusting build flags, which can be more complex than using runtime-configurable libraries.

Limited Format Support

Strictly supports MessagePack; it does not include native JSON or other serialization formats, so interoperability with JSON-centric systems necessitates custom conversion code.

Frequently Asked Questions

mpack

What is mpack?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

mpack

What is mpack?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?