Review and extend the documentation, and check it in CI (#5638)

* Review and extend the documentation, and check it in CI

A review of all documentation pages found factual errors, dead links,
missing cross-references, and gaps in examples. This fixes them and adds
checks so the same problems are caught automatically.

Fixes:
- wrong signatures and version histories (operator!= C++20 member,
  binary() subtype type, get<PointerType>(), JSON_NO_THREAD_LOCAL, ...)
- stale descriptions (number parsing since #5283, UBJSON table, SAX
  example that no longer compiled, tsl::ordered_map advice)
- dead internal and external links; repology.org badges (the domain is
  suspended) replaced by badges that query the registries directly
- deprecation notes link the migration guide; the guide itself fixed

Additions:
- "See also" sections, cross-references, 25 runnable examples, 12
  Mermaid diagrams, new API pages for json_pointer::operator<=> and
  byte_container_with_subtype::operator==/!=
- landing page, guides for untrusted input and performance
- "unreleased" badge after versions newer than the latest release

Checks:
- strict documentation build (broken links/anchors fail it); CI and
  the publish workflow fetch the full history the build needs
- weekly external link check, Mermaid syntax check in CI
- check_structure.py: example titles, heading levels, alt texts,
  header links, docset index coverage; its unused-example check works
  again
- all examples produce the same output on every platform

Signed-off-by: Niels Lohmann <mail@nlohmann.me>

* Keep the customer links that could not be fixed

A dead link on the customers page is still the evidence of where the
use of the library was documented. Keep the original URLs of the entries
without a working replacement (Marne, Cisco Webex Desk Camera, Philips
Hue, CyberArk) and exclude exactly these URLs from the link check.

Signed-off-by: Niels Lohmann <mail@nlohmann.me>

* Correct the duplicate-key recipe's claim about SAX positions

The SAX interface's key() receives no position either; only parse_error()
does. Also note that the recipe does not report the path to the repeated
key (see discussion #5085).

Signed-off-by: Niels Lohmann <mail@nlohmann.me>

* Say the library is available as a single header and mention json_fwd.hpp

Signed-off-by: Niels Lohmann <mail@nlohmann.me>

* Correct documentation errors found while hunting for bugs

- patch/patch_inplace: list the JSON pointer errors parse_error.106-109
  and out_of_range.402/404, and quote the actual parse_error.105 message.
- unflatten: list parse_error.106/107/108 and out_of_range.404.
- to_bson: list out_of_range.415 (binary subtype above 255) and note
  that 412 and 415 are new in 3.13.0.
- to_string: state that string_t must be convertible to std::string, also
  in the StringType requirements table.
- JSON Lines: a `while (input >> j)` loop also throws after the last value
  for concatenated JSON values; show a loop that works for both.
- BON8: a string gets 0xFF only if nothing follows it in the message; a
  string at the end of an array or object is ended by 0xFE.
- custom_string_type.hpp: add operator+=(char), which the "Always
  required" list asks for (json_pointer::to_string, flatten, unflatten,
  and diff did not compile), and an ADL int_to_string for diff and items.

Signed-off-by: Niels Lohmann <mail@nlohmann.me>

* Cache the release headers with functools.lru_cache

Codacy (Pylint) flagged the mutable default argument that header() used
as its cache. functools.lru_cache keeps the same memoization without it.
The script's output is unchanged.

Signed-off-by: Niels Lohmann <mail@nlohmann.me>

---------

Signed-off-by: Niels Lohmann <mail@nlohmann.me>
This commit is contained in:
Niels Lohmann authored and GitHub committed 2026-10-02 11:32:15 +02:00
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The library is used in multiple projects, applications, operating systems, etc. The list below is not exhaustive, but
the result of an internet search. If you know further customers of the library, [please let me know](mailto:mail@nlohmann.me).
[![](../images/customers.png)](../images/customers.png)
[![logos of customers using the library](../images/customers.png)](../images/customers.png)
## Space Exploration
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ the result of an internet search. If you know further customers of the library,
- [**GitHub CodeQL**](https://github.com/github/codeql/blob/main/shared/cpp/Diagnostics.h), a code analysis tool used for identifying security vulnerabilities and bugs in software through semantic queries
- [**GoPro ngfx**](https://github.com/gopro/ngfx), a low-level graphics abstraction and profiling framework developed by GoPro
- [**gRPC**](https://github.com/grpc/grpc/blob/master/tools/artifact_gen/utils.h), a high-performance universal remote procedure call framework
- [**Hex-Rays**](https://docs.hex-rays.com/user-guide/user-interface/licenses), a reverse engineering toolset for analyzing and decompiling binaries, primarily used for security research and vulnerability analysis
- [**Hex-Rays**](https://docs.hex-rays.com/core/user-interface/concepts/licenses), a reverse engineering toolset for analyzing and decompiling binaries, primarily used for security research and vulnerability analysis
- [**ImHex**](https://github.com/WerWolv/ImHex), a hex editor designed for reverse engineering, providing advanced features for data analysis and manipulation
- [**Intel GITS**](https://github.com/intel/gits), a tool for capturing and replaying graphics API calls for debugging and performance analysis
- [**Intel GPA Framework**](https://intel.github.io/gpasdk-doc/src/licenses.html), a suite of cross-platform tools for capturing, analyzing, and optimizing graphics applications across different APIs
@@ -240,9 +240,9 @@ the result of an internet search. If you know further customers of the library,
- [**Manticore Search**](https://github.com/manticoresoftware/manticoresearch/blob/main/src/searchdhttpcompat.cpp), a database for search, offering full-text and vector queries
- [**Milvus**](https://github.com/milvus-io/milvus/blob/master/internal/core/src/query/PlanImpl.h), a cloud-native vector database built for embedding similarity search
- [**MongoDB**](https://github.com/mongodb/mongo/blob/master/src/mongo/replay/config_handler.cpp), a general-purpose document database
- [**MySQL Connector/C++**](https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E17952_01/connector-cpp-9.1-license-com-en/license-opentelemetry-cpp-com.html), a C++ library for connecting and interacting with MySQL databases
- [**MySQL NDB Cluster**](https://downloads.mysql.com/docs/licenses/cluster-9.0-com-en.pdf), a distributed database system that provides high availability and scalability for MySQL databases
- [**MySQL Shell**](https://downloads.mysql.com/docs/licenses/mysql-shell-8.0-gpl-en.pdf), an advanced client and code editor for interacting with MySQL servers, supporting SQL, Python, and JavaScript
- [**MySQL Connector/C++**](https://downloads.mysql.com/docs/licenses/connector-cpp-26.7-com-en.pdf), a C++ library for connecting and interacting with MySQL databases
- [**MySQL NDB Cluster**](https://downloads.mysql.com/docs/licenses/cluster-26.7-com-en.pdf), a distributed database system that provides high availability and scalability for MySQL databases
- [**MySQL Shell**](https://downloads.mysql.com/docs/licenses/mysql-shell-26.7-gpl-en.pdf), an advanced client and code editor for interacting with MySQL servers, supporting SQL, Python, and JavaScript
- [**PrestoDB**](https://github.com/prestodb/presto/blob/master/presto-native-execution/presto_cpp/main/Announcer.cpp), a distributed SQL query engine designed for large-scale data analytics, originally developed by Facebook
- [**ROOT Data Analysis Framework**](https://root.cern/doc/v614/classnlohmann_1_1basic__json.html), an open-source data analysis framework widely used in high-energy physics and other fields for data processing and visualization
- [**Typesense**](https://github.com/typesense/typesense/blob/v31/include/join.h), an open source typo-tolerant search engine
@@ -277,11 +277,11 @@ the result of an internet search. If you know further customers of the library,
- [**Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud**](https://care.acronis.com/s/article/59533-Third-party-software-used-in-Acronis-Cyber-Protect-Cloud?language=en_US), an all-in-one data protection solution that combines backup, disaster recovery, and cybersecurity to safeguard business data from threats like ransomware
- [**Baereos**](https://gitlab.tiger-computing.co.uk/packages/bareos/-/blob/tiger/bullseye/third-party/CLI11/examples/json.cpp), a backup solution that provides data protection and recovery options for various environments, including physical and virtual systems
- [**Bitdefender Home Scanner**](https://www.bitdefender.de/site/Main/view/home-scanner-open-source.html), a tool from Bitdefender that scans devices for malware and security threats, providing a safeguard against potential online dangers
- [**Bitdefender Home Scanner**](https://www.bitdefender.com/site/Main/view/home-scanner-open-source.html), a tool from Bitdefender that scans devices for malware and security threats, providing a safeguard against potential online dangers
- [**Cisco MLS++**](https://github.com/cisco/mlspp), an implementation of the Messaging Layer Security protocol for end-to-end encrypted group messaging
- [**Citrix Provisioning**](https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/provisioning/2203-ltsr/downloads/pvs-third-party-notices-2203.pdf), a solution that streamlines the delivery of virtual desktops and applications by allowing administrators to manage and provision resources efficiently across multiple environments
- [**Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops**](https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/citrix-virtual-apps-desktops/2305/downloads/third-party-notices-apps-and-desktops.pdf), a solution from Citrix that delivers virtual apps and desktops
- [**Cyberarc**](https://docs.cyberark.com/Downloads/Legal/Privileged%20Session%20Manager%20for%20SSH%20Third-Party%20Notices.pdf), a security solution that specializes in privileged access management, enabling organizations to control and monitor access to critical systems and data, thereby enhancing overall cybersecurity posture
- [**CyberArk**](https://docs.cyberark.com/Downloads/Legal/Privileged%20Session%20Manager%20for%20SSH%20Third-Party%20Notices.pdf), a security solution that specializes in privileged access management, enabling organizations to control and monitor access to critical systems and data, thereby enhancing overall cybersecurity posture
- [**Deutsche Telekom sysrepo-plugins**](https://github.com/telekom/sysrepo-plugins), a collection of YANG datastore plugins used to manage network devices
- [**Egnyte Desktop**](https://helpdesk.egnyte.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007071732-Third-Party-Software-Acknowledgements), a secure cloud storage solution designed for businesses, enabling file sharing, collaboration, and data management across teams while ensuring compliance and data protection
- [**Elster**](https://www.secunet.com/en/about-us/press/article/elstersecure-bietet-komfortablen-login-ohne-passwort-dank-secunet-protect4use), a digital platform developed by German tax authorities for secure and efficient electronic tax filing and management using secunet protect4use