objgen-js

ObjGen.js is a code and data generation package that allows users to express and generate complex content using a simple model based templating syntax.

The ObjGen.js Node package is the code that enables the Live JSON Generator available at objgen.com - To see the generator in action, check out the live demo.

JSON Generator

• JSON properties are defined by entering names
• Data types are specified using a simple convention:
  • s (or string) = string, textual data
  • n (or number) = numbeical data
  • d (or date) = date/time
  • b (or bool) = booleans
  • [] = to define an array
• Data types can be abbreviated since the first character is significant: str, num, bool, etc.
• Complex types and data are created by nesting (or tabbing) new properties in a new level. For example:

id n
name s
phones
  work s
  cell s

will generate:

{
  "id": 0,
  "name": "",
  "phones": {
    "work": "",
    "cell": ""
  }
}

Assignments are defined by using the equal sign '='. For example:

id n = 0
name = Dave Kingman

will generate:

{
  "id": 0,
  "name": "Dave Kingman"
}

Any assignment for a property that does not include a data type, defaults to a string.

Dates values default to the current date, but can be assigned using a variety of parseable date values. For example:

id n = 0
name = Dave Kingman
dateOfBirth d = 2112/12/21

will generate:

{
  "id": 0,
  "name": "Dave Kingman",
  "dateOfBirth": "2112-12-21T05:00:00.000Z"
}

Arrays are defined by using brackets '[]', with indices optional. For example:

id n = 12123434
name = Joe Rightsman
address[]
  street=100 East Main Street
  city=Southernville
  state=NY
  zip=19910
address[]
  street=100 West Birch Lane
  city=Northnville
  state=NY
  zip=19911

will generate:

{
  "id": 12123434,
  "name": "Joe Rightsman",
  "address": [
    {
      "street": "100 East Main Street",
      "city": "Southernville",
      "state": "NY",
      "zip": "19910"
    },
    {
      "street": "100 West Birch Lane",
      "city": "Northnville",
      "state": "NY",
      "zip": "19911"
    }
  ]
}

A JSON array object can be generated using the following syntax:

[]
  id n = 1
  name = value 1
[]
  id n = 2
  name = value 2
[]
  id n = 3
  name = value 3

will generate:

[
  {
    "id": 1,
    "name": "value 1"
  },
  {
    "id": 2,
    "name": "value 2"
  },
  {
    "id": 3,
    "name": "value 3"
  }
]

Installation

1. Get node
2. npm install objgen --save or globally with npm install -g objgen for command line usage
3. Verify -g installation

$ objgen --version
4.0

Usage

JavaScript - Calling the JSON Generator

var ObjGen = require('./objgen.js').ObjGen;

var model = "id n = 100\n" +
  "title = Welcome to New York\n" +
  "releaseDate d = 2017-02-10";

var json = ObjGen.xJson(model, {numSpaces: 2});

console.log(json);

generates:

{
  "id": 100,
  "title": "Welcome to New York",
  "releaseDate": "2017-02-10T00:00:00.000Z"
}

Command line - Run the JSON generation demo

$ objgen -d

Input model:

// Model & generate Live JSON data values
// interactively using a simple syntax.
// String is the default value type
product = ObjGen Live JSON generator

// Number, Date & Boolean are also supported
// Specify types after property names
version n = 4.0
releaseDate d = 2017-02-10
demo b = true

// Tabs or spaces define complex values
person
  id number = 12345
  name = John Doe
  phones
    home = 800-123-4567
    mobile = 877-123-1234

  // Use [] to define simple type arrays
  email[] s = [email protected], [email protected]
  dateOfBirth d = 1990-01-02
  registered b = true

  // Use [n] to define object arrays
  emergencyContacts[0]
    name s = Jane Doe
    phone s = 888-555-1212
    relationship = spouse
  emergencyContacts[1]
    name s = Justin Doe
    phone s = 877-123-1212
    relationship = parent

// See http://objgen.com for additional info
// We hope you enjoy the tool!


Generated JSON:

{
  "product": "ObjGen Live JSON generator",
  "version": 4,
  "releaseDate": "2017-02-10T00:00:00.000Z",
  "demo": true,
  "person": {
    "id": 12345,
    "name": "John Doe",
    "phones": {
      "home": "800-123-4567",
      "mobile": "877-123-1234"
    },
    "email": [
      "[email protected]",
      "[email protected]"
    ],
    "dateOfBirth": "1990-01-02T00:00:00.000Z",
    "registered": true,
    "emergencyContacts": [
      {
        "name": "Jane Doe",
        "phone": "888-555-1212",
        "relationship": "spouse"
      },
      {
        "name": "Justin Doe",
        "phone": "877-123-1212",
        "relationship": "parent"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Command line - Generate JSON from your own model files:

$ objgen -f my-model.txt