Question

187

What is causing this syntax error while parsing JSON?

rated 0 times [ 192] [ 5] / answers: 1 / hits: 16318 / 13 Years ago, mon, october 10, 2011, 12:00:00

I have a string in javascript:

var test = '{test:\-}'

When I try to parse this as JSON with the following:

JSON.parse(test)

or with:

$.parseJSON(test)

I get a SyntaxError of type unexpected_token_number.
This the value for the test attribute is a user enterable field. How should I properly escape this field?

Answers

Only authorized users can answer the question. Please sign in first, or register a free account.

elaine

Add To Favorites

Follow

Total Points: 628

Total Questions: 111

Total Answers: 104

Location: Marshall Islands

Member since Tue, Sep 21, 2021

3 Years ago

answered 13 Years ago tobyl · Accepted Answer

'{test:\-}' will be interpreted as JavaScript string, with the result being {test:-}.

As you can see in these diagrams, - is not a valid escape sequence (valid are , \, /, b, f, n, r, t, uxxxx).

JSONLint also gives the error

Parse error on line 2:

{    test: -}

-------------^

Expecting 'STRING', 'NUMBER', 'NULL', 'TRUE', 'FALSE', '{', '['

If you want two backslashes in the JSON you have to escape them in the JavaScript string as well, so you'd end up with

var test = '{test: \\-}';

Otherwise, omit it:

var test = '{test: -}';