# <small>nlohmann::json_sax::</small>start_object

```cpp
virtual bool start_object(std::size_t elements) = 0;
```

The beginning of an object was read.

## Parameters

`elements` (in)
:   number of object elements, or `#!cpp std::numeric_limits<std::size_t>::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"
    ```

## See also

- [end_object](end_object.md) - the end of an object was read
- [key](key.md) - an object key was read
- [sax_parse](../basic_json/sax_parse.md) - SAX parser

## Version history

- Added in version 3.2.0.