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json/api/basic_json/front/index.md
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2026-07-08 18:19:46 +00:00

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# nlohmann::basic_json::front
```
reference front();
const_reference front() const;
```
Returns a reference to the first element in the container. For a JSON container `c`, the expression `c.front()` is equivalent to `*c.begin()`.
## Return value
In the case of a structured type (array or object), a reference to the first element is returned. In the case of number, string, boolean, or binary values, a reference to the value is returned.
## Exception safety
Strong guarantee: if an exception is thrown, there are no changes in the JSON value.
## Exceptions
If the JSON value is `null`, exception [`invalid_iterator.214`](https://json.nlohmann.me/home/exceptions/#jsonexceptioninvalid_iterator214) is thrown.
## Complexity
Constant.
## Notes
Precondition
The array or object must not be empty. Calling `front` on an empty array or object yields undefined behavior.
## Examples
Example
The following code shows an example for `front()`.
```
#include <iostream>
#include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
using json = nlohmann::json;
int main()
{
// create JSON values
json j_null;
json j_boolean = true;
json j_number_integer = 17;
json j_number_float = 23.42;
json j_object = {{"one", 1}, {"two", 2}};
json j_object_empty(json::value_t::object);
json j_array = {1, 2, 4, 8, 16};
json j_array_empty(json::value_t::array);
json j_string = "Hello, world";
// call front()
//std::cout << j_null.front() << '\n'; // would throw
std::cout << j_boolean.front() << '\n';
std::cout << j_number_integer.front() << '\n';
std::cout << j_number_float.front() << '\n';
std::cout << j_object.front() << '\n';
//std::cout << j_object_empty.front() << '\n'; // undefined behavior
std::cout << j_array.front() << '\n';
//std::cout << j_array_empty.front() << '\n'; // undefined behavior
std::cout << j_string.front() << '\n';
}
```
Output:
```
true
17
23.42
1
1
"Hello, world"
```
## See also
- [back](https://json.nlohmann.me/api/basic_json/back/index.md) to access the last element
## Version history
- Added in version 1.0.0.
- Adjusted code to return reference to binary values in version 3.8.0.