moose

Introduction

Moose (MOose Object SErialization) is a BSD licensed C++ library for the serialization of complex data structures.

Moose provides functionality to create and populate instances of complex C++ data structures, e.g., from .json files. By specifying properties and by optionally annotating objects with some keywords (e.g. "@type": "SomeDerivedClass"), users can create human readable descriptions of complex C++ data structures, including arrays, vectors, custom polymorphic classes, etc.

The general idea of moose is thereby similar to boost serialization and similar libraries. An Archive class serves as an abstraction layer between serialization code and concrete file formats. By either overloading a public

moose::Serialize (moose::Archive& ar, Object& o)

function for a given Object type, or by providing a method

Object::serialize (moose::Archive& ar)

one can add serialization support for custom types.

The implementation of moose is kept simple on purpose to allow users of the library to easily create custom readers/writers, which may be used to support more file formats.

Another interesting application for archives is the generation and synchronization of GUI elements given a serializable object.

While already usable, moose is not yet a full grown library. Most parts are in an early prototype stage.

Example

A small sample is provided in moose/sample/moosesample.cpp. The generated output shown below may give a rough idea of the general idea behind moose. Please note that ClassA and ClassB derive from a common base class BaseClass and are serialized into an std::vector of std::shared_ptr <BaseClass>.

moosesample - reading json input:

  {
    "sampleArray": {"0": 100, "1": 101},
    "objects": [
        {"@type": "ClassA", "value": "hello"},
        {"@type": "ClassB", "data": {"0": 102, "1": 103}}
      ]
  }

Output from generated objects:
simpleArray: 100, 101
objects:
  hello
  102, 103

Building moose as a stand-alone project

moose features a CMake based build system. Create a 'build' directory in the moose root folder and from that build directory execute, e.g.:

cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release ..
make -j

In addition to the moose library, the following executable will be build:

sample/moose_sample

Building moose as a part of your project

To build moose as part of your project, simply add the line

add_subdirectory (moose)

to the CMakeLists.txt of your project. To link it to your target, please use the following line:

target_link_libraries (YOUR_TARGET  moose)

Necessary include directories will be automatically added to your target.

License

moose is licensed under a 2-clause BSD license:

moose (MOose Object SErialization), a C++ serialization library

Copyright (C) 2017 Sebastian Reiter, G-CSC Frankfurt <s.b.reiter@gmail.com>
Copyright (C) 2020 Sebastian Reiter <s.b.reiter@gmail.com>
All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
   * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
   * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
     notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
     documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES;
LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND
ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF
THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

Please note that moose is deployed with the open source library rapidjson (MIT license).