In PHP, why is json_encode way slower than serialize?

Question

I don't get it, the data produced by json_encode is much more straightforward than serialize and yet both the JSON encode and decode functions are much more slower than the serialize and unserialize counterparts. Why?

in which way is JSON much more straightforward then php-native serialize, when you see it from the point of view of a computer. I think JSON more straightforward, but only for humans. — TheHippo, Dec 14 '09 at 12:29
See also http://stackoverflow.com/questions/804045/preferred-method-to-store-php-arrays-json-encode-vs-serialize — David d C e Freitas, May 04 '11 at 23:16

score 14 · Answer 1 · edited Feb 13 '21 at 14:08

14

json_encode does string parsing and tons of allocs compared to serialize's memcpy

Have fun in the source if you're really in the mood.

edited Feb 13 '21 at 14:08

tristanbailey

4,427
1
26
30

answered Dec 14 '09 at 12:39

Paul Tarjan

48,968
59
172
213

So does that make JSON safer for multi-byte strings? – Xeoncross Dec 07 '10 at 04:25
Looks like the source for [json_encode](https://github.com/php/php-src/blob/master/ext/json/json_encoder.c) vs [serialize](https://github.com/php/php-src/blob/master/ext/standard/var.c) Looks tidy code but I can't read C well ! – tristanbailey Feb 13 '21 at 14:10

In PHP, why is json_encode way slower than serialize?

1 Answers1