UTF-8 encoding/decoding behavior is confusing

[oschwald]

For JSON::PP, Cpanel::JSON::XS, and other similar modules, the decode method takes a binary string and the encode method produces a binary string when the utf8 flag is set on the object and a character string otherwise. For TOML::Tiny, this appears to be the current behavior:

Normal mode:

• encode - produces a character string
• decode - takes a character string

Strict mode:

• encode - produces a character string
• decode - takes a binary string

The difference in behavior for decode in strict mode appears to be due to this line.

My preference would be that TOML::Tiny takes a flag that controls the UTF-8 encoding/decoding, but at the very least this module should be internally consistent and document the behavior.

[532910]

I agree with @oschwald: behavior must be consistent.