Feature request: implement messageToJson

[botanize]

The python protobuf package easily converts a message into a json implementation. See https://developers.google.com/protocol-buffers/docs/reference/python/

The RProtoBuf functions toString and as.character create text representations that look like JSON, but aren't (they're mostly missing commas and quotes). I think it would be wonderful to have a fast C implementation of this, especially as the as.list function doesn't work recursively.

[eddelbuettel]

Sure. Can you volunteer an implementation?

Edit: A quick Google search reveals support in the API:

• https://developers.google.com/protocol-buffers/docs/reference/cpp
• https://developers.google.com/protocol-buffers/docs/reference/cpp#google.protobuf.util
• https://developers.google.com/protocol-buffers/docs/reference/cpp/google.protobuf.util.json_util

[botanize]

Unfortunately I have very little experience with c and none with c++. The best I could do would be to attempt to reformat the as.character output with grep pattern replacements. But I don't think that's a good idea.

[eddelbuettel]

No we'd need someone with a few spare hours, interest and and enough knowledge to export the function in that third link I showed. I'll add a 'help wanted' label but I won't have time in the near future.

[eddelbuettel]

A big BIG BIG Thank You! to @siddharthab for making it happen. Soon to be on a CRAN mirror near you.

[siddharthab]

A big BIG BIG Thank You! to @siddharthab for making it happen. Soon to be on a CRAN mirror near you.

Just trying to keep promises I made long ago. 😄
#6 (comment)

[eddelbuettel]

Hah! That was indeed a long(ish) time ago!