Assert on missing array indices in const operator[] and document the JSON pointer case

The const operator[] overloads are unchecked by design, and a missing key
or index is undefined behavior. The key overload guards this with a
runtime assertion, but the index overload did not, although the element
access documentation says an assertion fires in both cases. The const
JSON pointer overload inherits both through json_pointer::get_unchecked(),
so a pointer to a missing array index read out of bounds even in debug
builds, and its documentation promised out_of_range.404 for any pointer
that cannot be resolved.

Add JSON_ASSERT(idx < size()) to const operator[](size_type), which also
covers the index leg of the const JSON pointer overload. Document the
undefined behavior for the const JSON pointer overload in operator[].md
and in the runtime assertions page. Release builds are unchanged.

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

docs/mkdocs/docs/api/basic_json/basic_json.md

@@ -272,15 +272,6 @@ basic_json(basic_json&& other) noexcept;
         When used without parentheses around an empty initializer list, `basic_json()` is called instead of this
         function, yielding the JSON `#!json null` value.
 
-- Overload 4:
-
-    !!! info "Implicit conversion"
-
-        The conversion is implicit unless [`JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS`](../macros/json_use_implicit_conversions.md)
-        is defined to `0` and `BasicJsonType::string_t` differs from `string_t`. In that case, the constructor is
-        `explicit`, so a JSON value with a different string type is no longer silently converted, for example when it is
-        passed to a function taking `#!cpp const json&`. Write `#!cpp json(other)` or `#!cpp other.get<json>()` instead.
-
 - Overload 7:
 
     !!! info "Preconditions"
@@ -429,8 +420,7 @@ basic_json(basic_json&& other) noexcept;
 1. Since version 1.0.0.
 2. Since version 1.0.0.
 3. Since version 2.1.0.
-4. Since version 3.2.0. Explicit for different string types if `JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS` is `0` since
-   version 3.13.0.
+4. Since version 3.2.0.
 5. Since version 1.0.0.
 6. Since version 1.0.0.
 7. Since version 1.0.0.

docs/mkdocs/docs/api/basic_json/operator[].md

@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@ Strong exception safety: if an exception occurs, the original value stays intact
     - Throws [`out_of_range.410`](../../home/exceptions.md#jsonexceptionout_of_range410) if an array index in the passed
       JSON pointer `ptr` exceeds the range of `size_type` (e.g., on 32-bit platforms).
 
+    For the **const** version, an object key or array index in `ptr` that does not exist is not reported by an
+    exception, but is undefined behavior (see the notes below). Use [`at`](at.md) for checked access.
+
 ## Complexity
 
 1. Constant if `idx` is in the range of the array. Otherwise, linear in `idx - size()`.
@@ -100,9 +103,12 @@ Strong exception safety: if an exception occurs, the original value stays intact
     The following cases apply to the **const** overloads; the non-const overloads instead insert the missing element
     (see the notes below).
 
-    1. If the element at index `idx` does not exist, the behavior is undefined.
+    1. If the element at index `idx` does not exist, the behavior is undefined and is **guarded by a
+       [runtime assertion](../../features/assertions.md)**!
     2. If the element with key `key` does not exist, the behavior is undefined and is **guarded by a
        [runtime assertion](../../features/assertions.md)**!
+    3. If the JSON pointer `ptr` refers to an object key or an array index that does not exist, the behavior is
+       undefined and is **guarded by a [runtime assertion](../../features/assertions.md)**!
 
 1. The non-const version may add values: If `idx` is beyond the range of the array (i.e., `idx >= size()`), then the
    array is silently filled up with `#!json null` values to make `idx` a valid reference to the last stored element. In
@@ -257,9 +263,11 @@ Strong exception safety: if an exception occurs, the original value stays intact
 
 ## Version history
 
-1. Added in version 1.0.0.
+1. Added in version 1.0.0. A missing index in the const version is guarded by a runtime assertion since version
+   3.13.0.
 2. Added in version 1.0.0. Added overloads for `T* key` in version 1.1.0. Removed overloads for `T* key` (replaced by 3)
    in version 3.11.0.
 3. Added in version 3.11.0. Fixed in version 3.13.0 to consistently accept `std::string_view`-convertible keys, as
    already supported by [`at`](at.md), [`value`](value.md), [`find`](find.md), and other lookup functions.
-4. Added in version 2.0.0.
+4. Added in version 2.0.0. A missing array index in the const version is guarded by a runtime assertion since
+   version 3.13.0.

docs/mkdocs/docs/api/macros/json_use_implicit_conversions.md

@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@
 ```
 
 When defined to `0`, implicit conversions are switched off. By default, implicit conversions are switched on. The
-value directly affects [`operator ValueType`](../basic_json/operator_ValueType.md) and the
-[converting constructor](../basic_json/basic_json.md) from a `basic_json` specialization with a different string
-type (overload 4).
+value directly affects [`operator ValueType`](../basic_json/operator_ValueType.md).
 
 ## Default definition
 
@@ -59,25 +57,6 @@ By default, implicit conversions are enabled.
     auto s = j.get<std::string>();
     ```
 
-??? example "Conversion between `basic_json` specializations"
-
-    A `basic_json` specialization with a different string type is also no longer converted implicitly when
-    `JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS` is defined to `0`:
-
-    ```cpp
-    using wjson = nlohmann::basic_json<std::map, std::vector, std::wstring>;
-
-    void load(const nlohmann::json& j);
-
-    wjson wj = /* ... */;
-    load(wj);                            // error: no implicit conversion
-    load(nlohmann::json(wj));            // OK: explicit conversion
-    load(wj.get<nlohmann::json>());      // OK: explicit conversion
-    ```
-
-    Specializations that share the same string type, such as `json` and `ordered_json`, remain implicitly
-    convertible.
-
 ## See also
 
 - [**operator ValueType**](../basic_json/operator_ValueType.md) - get a value (implicit)
@@ -87,4 +66,3 @@ By default, implicit conversions are enabled.
 ## Version history
 
 - Added in version 3.9.0.
-- Also affects the conversion between `basic_json` specializations with different string types since version 3.13.0.

docs/mkdocs/docs/features/assertions.md

@@ -16,14 +16,15 @@ before including the `json.hpp` header.
 
 ## Function with runtime assertions
 
-### Unchecked object access to a const value
+### Unchecked access to a const value
 
-Function [`operator[]`](../api/basic_json/operator%5B%5D.md) implements unchecked access for objects. Whereas a missing
-key is added in the case of non-const objects, accessing a const object with a missing key is undefined behavior (think
-of a dereferenced null pointer) and yields a runtime assertion.
+Function [`operator[]`](../api/basic_json/operator%5B%5D.md) implements unchecked access for arrays and objects. Whereas
+a missing element is added in the case of non-const values, accessing a const value with a missing object key or an
+invalid array index is undefined behavior (think of a dereferenced null pointer) and yields a runtime assertion. This
+also applies to a [JSON pointer](json_pointer.md) that refers to a missing key or an invalid index.
 
-If you are not sure whether an element in an object exists, use checked access with the
-[`at` function](../api/basic_json/at.md) or call the [`contains` function](../api/basic_json/contains.md) before.
+If you are not sure whether an element exists, use checked access with the [`at` function](../api/basic_json/at.md)
+or call the [`contains` function](../api/basic_json/contains.md) before.
 
 See also the documentation on [element access](element_access/index.md).
 
@@ -46,7 +47,30 @@ See also the documentation on [element access](element_access/index.md).
     Output:
 
     ```
-    Assertion failed: (m_value.object->find(key) != m_value.object->end()), function operator[], file json.hpp, line 2144.
+    Assertion failed: (it != m_data.m_value.object->end()), function operator[], file json.hpp, line 28795.
+    ```
+
+??? example "Example 2: Invalid array index in a JSON pointer"
+
+    The following code will trigger an assertion at runtime:
+
+    ```cpp
+    #include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
+    
+    using json = nlohmann::json;
+    using namespace nlohmann::literals;
+    
+    int main()
+    {
+        const json j = {{"array", {1, 2, 3}}};
+        auto v = j["/array/5"_json_pointer];
+    }
+    ```
+
+    Output:
+
+    ```
+    Assertion failed: (idx < m_data.m_value.array->size()), function operator[], file json.hpp, line 28758.
     ```
 
 ### Constructing from an uninitialized iterator range

include/nlohmann/detail/conversions/to_json.hpp

@@ -291,9 +291,7 @@ void to_json(BasicJsonType& j, const std::optional<T>& opt) noexcept
 {
     if (opt.has_value())
     {
-        // explicit construction, as the conversion from a basic_json with a different
-        // string type is explicit if JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS is 0 (#2649)
-        j = BasicJsonType(*opt);
+        j = *opt;
     }
     else
     {

include/nlohmann/detail/json_pointer.hpp

@@ -535,6 +535,10 @@ class json_pointer
     @return const reference to the JSON value pointed to by the JSON
     pointer
 
+    @pre Every object key and array index the pointer refers to exists.
+         Like the const operator[] for keys and indices, a missing one is
+         undefined behavior, guarded by a runtime assertion.
+
     @throw parse_error.106   if an array index begins with '0'
     @throw parse_error.109   if an array index was not a number
     @throw out_of_range.402  if the array index '-' is used
@@ -549,7 +553,8 @@ class json_pointer
             {
                 case detail::value_t::object:
                 {
-                    // use unchecked object access
+                    // use unchecked object access; the const operator[]
+                    // asserts that the key exists
                     ptr = &ptr->operator[](reference_token);
                     break;
                 }
@@ -562,7 +567,8 @@ class json_pointer
                         JSON_THROW(detail::out_of_range::create(402, detail::concat("array index '-' (", std::to_string(ptr->m_data.m_value.array->size()), ") is out of range"), ptr));
                     }
 
-                    // use unchecked array access
+                    // use unchecked array access; the const operator[]
+                    // asserts that the index exists
                     ptr = &ptr->operator[](array_index<BasicJsonType>(reference_token));
                     break;
                 }

include/nlohmann/json.hpp

@@ -1605,42 +1605,12 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
         assert_invariant();
     }
 
-  private:
-    /// whether a basic_json specialization can be converted implicitly into this one;
-    /// with JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS set to 0, this is only the case if both share
-    /// the same string type (see https://github.com/nlohmann/json/issues/2649)
-    template<typename BasicJsonType>
-    using is_implicitly_convertible_basic_json = std::integral_constant < bool,
-          (JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS != 0)
-          || std::is_same<typename BasicJsonType::string_t, string_t>::value >;
-
-    /// tag to select the constructor that performs the conversion from another basic_json specialization
-    struct convert_basic_json_tag {};
-
-  public:
     /// @brief create a JSON value from an existing one
     /// @sa https://json.nlohmann.me/api/basic_json/basic_json/
     template < typename BasicJsonType,
                detail::enable_if_t <
-                   detail::is_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value&& !std::is_same<basic_json, BasicJsonType>::value
-                   && is_implicitly_convertible_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value, int > = 0 >
+                   detail::is_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value&& !std::is_same<basic_json, BasicJsonType>::value, int > = 0 >
     basic_json(const BasicJsonType& val)
-        : basic_json(val, convert_basic_json_tag{})
-    {}
-
-    /// @brief create a JSON value from an existing one
-    /// @sa https://json.nlohmann.me/api/basic_json/basic_json/
-    template < typename BasicJsonType,
-               detail::enable_if_t <
-                   detail::is_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value&& !std::is_same<basic_json, BasicJsonType>::value
-                   && !is_implicitly_convertible_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value, int > = 0 >
-    explicit basic_json(const BasicJsonType& val)
-        : basic_json(val, convert_basic_json_tag{})
-    {}
-
-  private:
-    template<typename BasicJsonType>
-    basic_json(const BasicJsonType& val, convert_basic_json_tag /*unused*/)
 #if JSON_DIAGNOSTIC_POSITIONS
         : start_position(val.start_pos()),
           end_position(val.end_pos())
@@ -1696,7 +1666,6 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
         assert_invariant();
     }
 
-  public:
     /// @brief create a container (array or object) from an initializer list
     /// @sa https://json.nlohmann.me/api/basic_json/basic_json/
     basic_json(initializer_list_t init,
@@ -2463,7 +2432,7 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
                    int > = 0 >
     BasicJsonType get_impl(detail::priority_tag<2> /*unused*/) const
     {
-        return BasicJsonType(*this);
+        return *this;
     }
 
     /*!
@@ -2602,7 +2571,7 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
                  int> = 0>
     ValueType & get_to(ValueType& v) const
     {
-        v = ValueType(*this);
+        v = *this;
         return v;
     }
 
@@ -2897,6 +2866,7 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
         // const operator[] only works for arrays
         if (JSON_HEDLEY_LIKELY(is_array()))
         {
+            JSON_ASSERT(idx < m_data.m_value.array->size());
             return m_data.m_value.array->operator[](idx);
         }
 

single_include/nlohmann/json.hpp

@@ -6820,9 +6820,7 @@ void to_json(BasicJsonType& j, const std::optional<T>& opt) noexcept
 {
     if (opt.has_value())
     {
-        // explicit construction, as the conversion from a basic_json with a different
-        // string type is explicit if JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS is 0 (#2649)
-        j = BasicJsonType(*opt);
+        j = *opt;
     }
     else
     {
@@ -19181,6 +19179,10 @@ class json_pointer
     @return const reference to the JSON value pointed to by the JSON
     pointer
 
+    @pre Every object key and array index the pointer refers to exists.
+         Like the const operator[] for keys and indices, a missing one is
+         undefined behavior, guarded by a runtime assertion.
+
     @throw parse_error.106   if an array index begins with '0'
     @throw parse_error.109   if an array index was not a number
     @throw out_of_range.402  if the array index '-' is used
@@ -19195,7 +19197,8 @@ class json_pointer
             {
                 case detail::value_t::object:
                 {
-                    // use unchecked object access
+                    // use unchecked object access; the const operator[]
+                    // asserts that the key exists
                     ptr = &ptr->operator[](reference_token);
                     break;
                 }
@@ -19208,7 +19211,8 @@ class json_pointer
                         JSON_THROW(detail::out_of_range::create(402, detail::concat("array index '-' (", std::to_string(ptr->m_data.m_value.array->size()), ") is out of range"), ptr));
                     }
 
-                    // use unchecked array access
+                    // use unchecked array access; the const operator[]
+                    // asserts that the index exists
                     ptr = &ptr->operator[](array_index<BasicJsonType>(reference_token));
                     break;
                 }
@@ -27490,42 +27494,12 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
         assert_invariant();
     }
 
-  private:
-    /// whether a basic_json specialization can be converted implicitly into this one;
-    /// with JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS set to 0, this is only the case if both share
-    /// the same string type (see https://github.com/nlohmann/json/issues/2649)
-    template<typename BasicJsonType>
-    using is_implicitly_convertible_basic_json = std::integral_constant < bool,
-        (JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS != 0)
-        || std::is_same<typename BasicJsonType::string_t, string_t>::value >;
-
-    /// tag to select the constructor that performs the conversion from another basic_json specialization
-    struct convert_basic_json_tag {};
-
-  public:
     /// @brief create a JSON value from an existing one
     /// @sa https://json.nlohmann.me/api/basic_json/basic_json/
     template < typename BasicJsonType,
                detail::enable_if_t <
-                   detail::is_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value&& !std::is_same<basic_json, BasicJsonType>::value
-                   && is_implicitly_convertible_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value, int > = 0 >
+                   detail::is_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value&& !std::is_same<basic_json, BasicJsonType>::value, int > = 0 >
     basic_json(const BasicJsonType& val)
-        : basic_json(val, convert_basic_json_tag{})
-    {}
-
-    /// @brief create a JSON value from an existing one
-    /// @sa https://json.nlohmann.me/api/basic_json/basic_json/
-    template < typename BasicJsonType,
-               detail::enable_if_t <
-                   detail::is_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value&& !std::is_same<basic_json, BasicJsonType>::value
-                   && !is_implicitly_convertible_basic_json<BasicJsonType>::value, int > = 0 >
-    explicit basic_json(const BasicJsonType& val)
-        : basic_json(val, convert_basic_json_tag{})
-    {}
-
-  private:
-    template<typename BasicJsonType>
-    basic_json(const BasicJsonType& val, convert_basic_json_tag /*unused*/)
 #if JSON_DIAGNOSTIC_POSITIONS
         : start_position(val.start_pos()),
           end_position(val.end_pos())
@@ -27581,7 +27555,6 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
         assert_invariant();
     }
 
-  public:
     /// @brief create a container (array or object) from an initializer list
     /// @sa https://json.nlohmann.me/api/basic_json/basic_json/
     basic_json(initializer_list_t init,
@@ -28348,7 +28321,7 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
                    int > = 0 >
     BasicJsonType get_impl(detail::priority_tag<2> /*unused*/) const
     {
-        return BasicJsonType(*this);
+        return *this;
     }
 
     /*!
@@ -28487,7 +28460,7 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
                  int> = 0>
     ValueType & get_to(ValueType& v) const
     {
-        v = ValueType(*this);
+        v = *this;
         return v;
     }
 
@@ -28782,6 +28755,7 @@ class basic_json // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-special-member-functions,hicpp-spec
         // const operator[] only works for arrays
         if (JSON_HEDLEY_LIKELY(is_array()))
         {
+            JSON_ASSERT(idx < m_data.m_value.array->size());
             return m_data.m_value.array->operator[](idx);
         }
 

tests/src/unit-alt-string.cpp

@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@
 
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <string>
-#include <type_traits>
 #include <utility>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -375,39 +374,4 @@ TEST_CASE("alternative string type")
         const auto j2 = j.flatten();
         CHECK(j2.dump() == R"({"/foo/0":"bar","/foo/1":"baz"})");
     }
-
-    SECTION("conversion between basic_json specializations (#2649)")
-    {
-        // explicit conversions are always possible
-        CHECK(std::is_constructible<nlohmann::json, alt_json>::value);
-        CHECK(std::is_constructible<alt_json, nlohmann::json>::value);
-        CHECK(std::is_constructible<nlohmann::json, nlohmann::ordered_json>::value);
-        CHECK(std::is_constructible<nlohmann::ordered_json, nlohmann::json>::value);
-
-        // specializations with the same string type are implicitly convertible
-        CHECK(std::is_convertible<nlohmann::ordered_json, nlohmann::json>::value);
-        CHECK(std::is_convertible<nlohmann::json, nlohmann::ordered_json>::value);
-
-        // specializations with different string types are only implicitly convertible
-        // if implicit conversions are enabled
-#if JSON_USE_IMPLICIT_CONVERSIONS
-        CHECK(std::is_convertible<alt_json, nlohmann::json>::value);
-        CHECK(std::is_convertible<nlohmann::json, alt_json>::value);
-#else
-        CHECK_FALSE(std::is_convertible<alt_json, nlohmann::json>::value);
-        CHECK_FALSE(std::is_convertible<nlohmann::json, alt_json>::value);
-#endif
-
-        // get<BasicJsonType>() works in either case
-        const nlohmann::json j = {{"foo", 1}, {"bar", true}};
-        CHECK(j.get<nlohmann::ordered_json>() == nlohmann::ordered_json(j));
-        // (only a number is converted here, as objects and strings are affected by #3425)
-        CHECK(nlohmann::json(42).get<alt_json>() == 42);
-        CHECK(alt_json(nlohmann::json(42)) == 42);
-
-        // get_to() also works in either case
-        alt_json a;
-        nlohmann::json(42).get_to(a);
-        CHECK(a == 42);
-    }
 }