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JsonInvalidCompact

JsonInvalidCompact represents an invalid or uninitialized value in the Hakka JSON library. It is implemented as a NaN-boxed singleton within JsonFloatCompact using the INVALID_NAN bit pattern.

Important: JsonInvalidCompact is not a standalone class. It is a type marker used in the UniformCompactPointerView variant system. The actual implementation resides in JsonFloatCompact.

Header: include/hakka_json_float.hpp

Architecture

JsonInvalidCompact is implemented using NaN-boxing:

  • Storage: Single 64-bit double with INVALID_NAN bit pattern
  • Singleton: One immortal instance shared by all invalid handles
  • Special Token: Invalid handles have token value 0 (sentinel value)
  • Lifetime: Never deallocated (created during static initialization)
  • Type Discrimination: The type() method returns HAKKA_JSON_INVALID when it detects the INVALID_NAN bit pattern

Note

See Primitive Types Overview for detailed information about NaN-boxing.

Warning

You do not need to manually create these NaN-boxed singleton instances. They are immortal instances created during static initialization in src/handles/scalar_manager.cpp. The create() method simply returns a handle to these pre-existing singletons. Directly modifying reference counts for these singleton objects results in undefined behavior.

Use Cases

Invalid values represent:

  • Uninitialized handles: Default-constructed JsonHandleCompact instances
  • Error states: Operations that fail to produce valid values
  • Sentinel values: Explicit markers for missing or undefined data

Factory Methods

create

[[nodiscard]] static JsonHandleCompact create();

Creates an invalid value by returning a handle with token value 0.

  • Parameters:

    • None.
  • Returns:

    • A JsonHandleCompact with token value 0 (INVALID state).
  • Error Handling:

    • None.
    • Exception safety: No-throw guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity.
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe.
  • Example:

    auto invalid_handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    assert(invalid_handle.get_type() == HAKKA_JSON_INVALID);
    assert(!invalid_handle.is_valid()); // Token is 0
    


Serialization Methods

dump

tl::expected<std::string, HakkaJsonResultEnum> dump(uint32_t max_depth = 0) const;

Serializes the invalid value to the string "INVALID".

  • Parameters:

    • max_depth: Unused for JsonInvalidCompact; included for interface consistency.
  • Returns:

    • On success: A std::string containing "INVALID".
    • On failure: HAKKA_JSON_INTERNAL_ERROR (rare, occurs on exception).
  • Error Handling:

    • Returns HAKKA_JSON_INTERNAL_ERROR if string allocation throws an exception.
    • Exception safety: Strong guarantee (no state changes on failure).
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity (returns constant string).
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe.
  • Example:

    auto handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    auto view = handle.get_view();
    if (auto* invalid_ptr = std::get_if<const JsonFloatCompact*>(&view)) {
        auto result = (*invalid_ptr)->dump();
        if (result) {
            std::cout << result.value() << std::endl; // Output: INVALID
        }
    }
    


to_bytes

HakkaJsonResultEnum to_bytes(char *buffer, uint32_t *buffer_size) const;

Serializes the invalid value into a null-terminated byte buffer.

  • Parameters:

    • buffer: Pointer to the destination byte buffer.
    • buffer_size: Pointer to the buffer size. On input, specifies the buffer capacity. On output, contains the number of bytes written (excluding null terminator) or the required size if buffer is too small.
  • Returns:

    • HAKKA_JSON_SUCCESS if serialization succeeds.
    • HAKKA_JSON_NOT_ENOUGH_MEMORY if the buffer is too small. The required size is written to *buffer_size.
    • HAKKA_JSON_INTERNAL_ERROR if an exception occurs.
  • Error Handling:

    • Returns HAKKA_JSON_NOT_ENOUGH_MEMORY when *buffer_size < 8 (7 bytes for "INVALID" + 1 for null terminator).
    • Returns HAKKA_JSON_INTERNAL_ERROR on exception.
    • Exception safety: Strong guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity (copies constant-size string).
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe.
  • Example:

    auto handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    auto view = handle.get_view();
    if (auto* invalid_ptr = std::get_if<const JsonFloatCompact*>(&view)) {
        char buffer[10];
        uint32_t size = sizeof(buffer);
        auto result = (*invalid_ptr)->to_bytes(buffer, &size);
        if (result == HAKKA_JSON_SUCCESS) {
            std::cout << buffer << std::endl; // Output: INVALID
            std::cout << "Written: " << size << " bytes" << std::endl; // Output: 7
        }
    }
    


dump_size

uint64_t dump_size() const;

Returns the size of the serialized string representation.

  • Parameters:

    • None.
  • Returns:

    • Always returns 7 (size of "INVALID").
  • Error Handling:

    • None.
    • Exception safety: Strong guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity (returns constant value).
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe.
  • Example:

    auto handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    auto view = handle.get_view();
    if (auto* invalid_ptr = std::get_if<const JsonFloatCompact*>(&view)) {
        uint64_t size = (*invalid_ptr)->dump_size();
        std::cout << "Size: " << size << std::endl; // Output: Size: 7
    }
    


Type Information Methods

type

HakkaJsonType type() const;

Returns the JSON type of this instance.

  • Parameters:

    • None.
  • Returns:

    • HAKKA_JSON_INVALID
  • Error Handling:

    • None.
    • Exception safety: No-throw guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity (bit pattern check).
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe.
  • Example:

    auto handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    HakkaJsonType t = handle.get_type();
    assert(t == HAKKA_JSON_INVALID);
    


Comparison Methods

compare

tl::expected<int, HakkaJsonResultEnum> compare(const JsonHandleCompact &other) const;

Attempts to compare this invalid value with another JSON value. Always returns an error.

  • Parameters:

    • other: The JsonHandleCompact to compare against.
  • Returns:

    • Always returns HAKKA_JSON_TYPE_ERROR (invalid values cannot be compared).
  • Error Handling:

    • Returns HAKKA_JSON_TYPE_ERROR for all comparisons.
    • Exception safety: Strong guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity.
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe.
  • Example:

    auto invalid_handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    auto int_handle = JsonIntCompact::create(42);
    
    auto view = invalid_handle.get_view();
    if (auto* invalid_ptr = std::get_if<const JsonFloatCompact*>(&view)) {
        auto result = (*invalid_ptr)->compare(int_handle);
        if (!result) {
            assert(result.error() == HAKKA_JSON_TYPE_ERROR);
        }
    }
    


hash

uint64_t hash() const;

Computes the hash value of the invalid value by hashing the INVALID_NAN bit representation.

  • Parameters:

    • None.
  • Returns:

    • A 64-bit hash value.
  • Error Handling:

    • None.
    • Exception safety: No-throw guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity.
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe.
  • Example:

    auto handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    auto view = handle.get_view();
    if (auto* invalid_ptr = std::get_if<const JsonFloatCompact*>(&view)) {
        uint64_t h = (*invalid_ptr)->hash();
        std::cout << "Hash: " << h << std::endl;
    }
    


Value Access Methods

get

tl::expected<PrimitiveType, HakkaJsonResultEnum> get() const;

Attempts to retrieve the value of an invalid instance. Always returns an error.

  • Parameters:

    • None.
  • Returns:

    • Always returns HAKKA_JSON_TYPE_ERROR (invalid values have no accessible value).
  • Error Handling:

    • Returns HAKKA_JSON_TYPE_ERROR for all calls.
    • Exception safety: No-throw guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity.
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe.
  • Example:

    auto handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    auto view = handle.get_view();
    if (auto* invalid_ptr = std::get_if<const JsonFloatCompact*>(&view)) {
        auto value = (*invalid_ptr)->get();
        if (!value) {
            assert(value.error() == HAKKA_JSON_TYPE_ERROR);
        }
    }
    


Reference Counting Methods

inc_ref

uint64_t inc_ref() const;

Increments the reference count atomically.

  • Parameters:

    • None.
  • Returns:

    • The new reference count after incrementing.
  • Error Handling:

    • None.
    • Exception safety: No-throw guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity.
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe (uses atomic operations with memory_order_relaxed).
  • Example:

    auto handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    auto view = handle.get_view();
    if (auto* invalid_ptr = std::get_if<const JsonFloatCompact*>(&view)) {
        uint64_t count = (*invalid_ptr)->inc_ref();
        std::cout << "New ref count: " << count << std::endl;
    }
    


dec_ref

uint64_t dec_ref() const;

Decrements the reference count atomically.

  • Parameters:

    • None.
  • Returns:

    • The new reference count after decrementing.
  • Error Handling:

    • None.
    • Exception safety: No-throw guarantee.
  • Complexity:

    • \(\Theta(1)\) time complexity.
  • Thread Safety:

    • This function is thread-safe (uses atomic operations with memory_order_relaxed).
  • Example:

    auto handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
    auto view = handle.get_view();
    if (auto* invalid_ptr = std::get_if<const JsonFloatCompact*>(&view)) {
        uint64_t count = (*invalid_ptr)->dec_ref();
        std::cout << "New ref count: " << count << std::endl;
        // Note: Manually calling dec_ref() is not recommended; use Handle system
    }
    

Warning

Manual reference counting is intended for Python FFI integration. Normal usage should rely on the JsonHandleCompact system for automatic reference management.


Default Construction

Default-constructed handles are automatically invalid:

JsonHandleCompact handle;  // Default constructed
assert(handle.get_type() == HAKKA_JSON_INVALID);
assert(!handle); // Boolean conversion returns false for invalid handles

Singleton Behavior

All invalid handles reference the same underlying singleton:

auto invalid1 = JsonFloatCompact::create();
auto invalid2 = JsonFloatCompact::create();
// Both reference the same INVALID_NAN singleton instance

// Default-constructed handles also reference the same singleton
JsonHandleCompact invalid3;
// invalid3 also represents the invalid state (token = 0)

Handle Token Value

Invalid handles have a special token value of 0:

JsonHandleCompact invalid_handle = JsonFloatCompact::create();
// Internal token is 0

// This is why boolean conversion works:
if (!invalid_handle) {
    std::cout << "Handle is invalid" << std::endl;
}

// And why is_valid() returns false:
assert(!invalid_handle.is_valid());

Memory Management

The invalid singleton is created during static initialization and persists for the program's lifetime. It is never deallocated, regardless of how many handles reference it.

Reference Counting: While the singleton has reference counting methods, they do not affect its lifetime. The singleton is immortal.

Handle Release: Calling release() on an invalid handle sets its token to 0 (which is already the invalid state).

Common Patterns

Error Handling

Use invalid handles to represent error states:

JsonHandleCompact parse_value(const std::string& input) {
    if (input.empty()) {
        return JsonFloatCompact::create(); // Return invalid for error
    }
    // Parse and return valid handle
    return JsonIntCompact::create(42);
}

auto result = parse_value("");
if (!result.is_valid()) {
    std::cout << "Parsing failed" << std::endl;
}

Initialization

Use invalid handles as sentinel values before initialization:

JsonHandleCompact handle; // Default-constructed (invalid)

// Later, initialize with actual value
if (some_condition) {
    handle = JsonIntCompact::create(42);
}

// Check if initialization occurred
if (handle.is_valid()) {
    // Use handle
}

See Also