Skip to content

# Supported Macros

Some aspects of the library can be configured by defining preprocessor macros before including the `json.hpp` header.

## `JSON_ASSERT(x)`

The default value is `assert(x)`.

## `JSON_CATCH_USER(exception)`

This macro overrides `catch` calls inside the library. The argument is the type of the exception to catch. As of version 3.8.0, the library only catches `std::out_of_range` exceptions internally to rethrow them as `json::out_of_range` exceptions. The macro is always followed by a scope.

See Switch off exceptions for an example.

## `JSON_NOEXCEPTION`

Exceptions can be switched off by defining the symbol `JSON_NOEXCEPTION`. When defining `JSON_NOEXCEPTION`, `try` is replaced by `if (true)`, `catch` is replaced by `if (false)`, and `throw` is replaced by `std::abort()`.

The same effect is achieved by setting the compiler flag `-fno-exceptions`.

## `JSON_SKIP_UNSUPPORTED_COMPILER_CHECK`

When defined, the library will not create a compile error when a known unsupported compiler is detected. This allows to use the library with compilers that do not fully support C++11 and may only work if unsupported features are not used.

## `JSON_THROW_USER(exception)`

This macro overrides `throw` calls inside the library. The argument is the exception to be thrown. Note that `JSON_THROW_USER` should leave the current scope (e.g., by throwing or aborting), as continuing after it may yield undefined behavior.

See Switch off exceptions for an example.

## `JSON_TRY_USER`

This macro overrides `try` calls inside the library. It has no arguments and is always followed by a scope.

See Switch off exceptions for an example.

## `JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS`

When defined to `0`, implicit conversions are switched off. By default, implicit conversions are switched on.

Example

This is an example for an implicit conversion:

    json j = "Hello, world!";
    std::string s = j;

When `JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS` is defined to `0`, the code above does no longer compile. Instead, it must be written like this:

    json j = "Hello, world!";
    auto s = j.get<std::string>();

## `NLOHMANN_DEFINE_TYPE_INTRUSIVE(type, member...)`

This macro can be used to simplify the serialization/deserialization of types if (1) want to use a JSON object as serialization and (2) want to use the member variable names as object keys in that object.

The macro is to be defined inside of the class/struct to create code for. Unlike `NLOHMANN_DEFINE_TYPE_NON_INTRUSIVE`, it can access private members. The first parameter is the name of the class/struct, and all remaining parameters name the members.

See Simplify your life with macros for an example.

## `NLOHMANN_DEFINE_TYPE_NON_INTRUSIVE(type, member...)`

This macro can be used to simplify the serialization/deserialization of types if (1) want to use a JSON object as serialization and (2) want to use the member variable names as object keys in that object.

The macro is to be defined inside of the namespace of the class/struct to create code for. Private members cannot be accessed. Use `NLOHMANN_DEFINE_TYPE_INTRUSIVE` in these scenarios. The first parameter is the name of the class/struct, and all remaining parameters name the members.

See Simplify your life with macros for an example.

## `NLOHMANN_JSON_SERIALIZE_ENUM(type, ...)`

This macro simplifies the serialization/deserialization of enum types. See Specializing enum conversion for more information.