# nlohmann::json_sax::start_array
```cpp
virtual bool start_array(std::size_t elements) = 0;
```
The beginning of an array was read.
## Parameters
`elements` (in)
: number of array elements, or `#!cpp std::numeric_limits::max()` if unknown
## Return value
Whether parsing should proceed.
## Notes
Binary formats may report the number of elements.
## Examples
??? example
The example below shows how the SAX interface is used.
```cpp
--8<-- "examples/sax_parse.cpp"
```
Output:
```json
--8<-- "examples/sax_parse.output"
```
## Version history
- Added in version 3.2.0.