yamljs vs js-yaml vs yaml vs yaml-front-matter
YAML Parsing Libraries
yamljsjs-yamlyamlyaml-front-matterSimilar Packages:

YAML Parsing Libraries

YAML parsing libraries are essential tools in web development for reading, writing, and manipulating YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) files, which are often used for configuration files, data serialization, and data exchange. These libraries provide developers with the ability to easily convert YAML data into JavaScript objects and vice versa, facilitating seamless integration of YAML into applications. The choice of a specific library can depend on factors such as performance, ease of use, and specific features like front matter support or schema validation.

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yamljs2,079,040888-539 years agoMIT
js-yaml06,558386 kB705 months agoMIT
yaml01,638685 kB308 days agoISC
yaml-front-matter0194-215 years agoMIT

Feature Comparison: yamljs vs js-yaml vs yaml vs yaml-front-matter

Performance

  • yamljs:

    yamljs provides a straightforward parsing and stringifying process, but its performance may not be as optimized as other libraries when handling very large YAML files.

  • js-yaml:

    js-yaml is optimized for performance and can handle large YAML files efficiently. It balances speed with feature richness, making it suitable for applications that require robust YAML processing.

  • yaml:

    yaml is designed with performance in mind, utilizing a streaming approach for parsing and dumping, which allows it to handle large datasets with minimal memory overhead, making it one of the fastest options available.

  • yaml-front-matter:

    yaml-front-matter is lightweight and efficient, specifically optimized for extracting front matter from YAML files. Its performance is adequate for typical use cases involving metadata extraction.

Feature Set

  • yamljs:

    yamljs offers basic YAML parsing and stringifying capabilities, making it easy to use for simple tasks. However, it lacks some advanced features found in other libraries.

  • js-yaml:

    js-yaml supports a wide range of YAML features, including complex data structures, custom types, and schema validation. It is a comprehensive solution for most YAML-related tasks.

  • yaml:

    yaml focuses on modern YAML features and provides a minimalistic API. It supports advanced features like anchors and aliases, making it suitable for contemporary YAML use cases.

  • yaml-front-matter:

    yaml-front-matter specializes in parsing front matter, allowing users to easily extract metadata from YAML documents. It is not a full YAML parser but excels in its niche functionality.

Ease of Use

  • yamljs:

    yamljs is simple to use and requires minimal setup, making it accessible for quick YAML manipulation tasks. Its API is straightforward, but it may lack advanced features.

  • js-yaml:

    js-yaml has a straightforward API that is easy to understand for both beginners and experienced developers. Its documentation is comprehensive, aiding in quick adoption.

  • yaml:

    yaml provides a clean and intuitive API, making it easy to integrate into projects. Its modern design philosophy ensures that developers can quickly grasp its usage.

  • yaml-front-matter:

    yaml-front-matter is specifically designed for simplicity, allowing users to easily extract front matter without needing to understand the full YAML structure, making it user-friendly for non-developers.

Community and Support

  • yamljs:

    yamljs has a modest community and is less frequently updated. While it is easy to use, developers may find limited resources and support for complex issues.

  • js-yaml:

    js-yaml has a large user base and an active community, ensuring that developers can find support and resources easily. Its popularity means that it is regularly maintained and updated.

  • yaml:

    yaml is gaining traction and has a growing community. While it may not be as widely used as js-yaml, it is well-documented and supported by its maintainers.

  • yaml-front-matter:

    yaml-front-matter has a smaller community focused on specific use cases, but it is well-documented for its intended purpose. Support may be limited compared to more popular libraries.

Compatibility

  • yamljs:

    yamljs is compatible with Node.js and can be used in browser environments, though it may not support all modern YAML features as comprehensively as other libraries.

  • js-yaml:

    js-yaml is compatible with Node.js and browser environments, making it versatile for both server-side and client-side applications. It supports various YAML versions and is widely used in diverse projects.

  • yaml:

    yaml is also compatible with Node.js and browser environments, focusing on modern JavaScript features. It is suitable for applications that prioritize performance and simplicity.

  • yaml-front-matter:

    yaml-front-matter is designed to work seamlessly with static site generators and other tools that utilize front matter, making it a great choice for projects in that domain.

How to Choose: yamljs vs js-yaml vs yaml vs yaml-front-matter

  • yamljs:

    Consider yamljs for a library that offers both YAML parsing and stringifying capabilities with a focus on simplicity. It is particularly useful for projects that need straightforward YAML manipulation without additional dependencies.

  • js-yaml:

    Choose js-yaml for a well-established, widely-used library that provides a robust set of features for parsing and dumping YAML. It is suitable for most general use cases and has a large community for support.

  • yaml:

    Select yaml if you need a modern, lightweight library that focuses on simplicity and performance. It is designed for speed and efficiency, making it a good choice for applications where performance is critical.

  • yaml-front-matter:

    Opt for yaml-front-matter if your project requires handling front matter in YAML files, commonly used in static site generators. This library allows you to easily parse and extract metadata from YAML documents.

README for yamljs

yaml.js

Build status

Standalone JavaScript YAML 1.2 Parser & Encoder. Works under node.js and all major browsers. Also brings command line YAML/JSON conversion tools.

Mainly inspired from Symfony Yaml Component.

How to use

Import yaml.js in your html page:

<script type="text/javascript" src="yaml.js"></script>

Parse yaml string:

nativeObject = YAML.parse(yamlString);

Dump native object into yaml string:

yamlString = YAML.stringify(nativeObject[, inline /* @integer depth to start using inline notation at */[, spaces /* @integer number of spaces to use for indentation */] ]);

Load yaml file:

nativeObject = YAML.load('file.yml');

Load yaml file:

YAML.load('file.yml', function(result)
{
    nativeObject = result;
});

Use with node.js

Install module:

npm install yamljs

Use it:

YAML = require('yamljs');

// parse YAML string
nativeObject = YAML.parse(yamlString);

// Generate YAML
yamlString = YAML.stringify(nativeObject, 4);

// Load yaml file using YAML.load
nativeObject = YAML.load('myfile.yml');

Command line tools

You can enable the command line tools by installing yamljs as a global module:

npm install -g yamljs

Then, two cli commands should become available: yaml2json and json2yaml. They let you convert YAML to JSON and JSON to YAML very easily.

yaml2json

usage: yaml2json [-h] [-v] [-p] [-i INDENTATION] [-s] [-r] [-w] input

Positional arguments:
  input                 YAML file or directory containing YAML files.

Optional arguments:
  -h, --help            Show this help message and exit.
  -v, --version         Show program's version number and exit.
  -p, --pretty          Output pretty (indented) JSON.
  -i INDENTATION, --indentation INDENTATION
                        Number of space characters used to indent code (use 
                        with --pretty, default: 2).
  -s, --save            Save output inside JSON file(s) with the same name.
  -r, --recursive       If the input is a directory, also find YAML files in 
                        sub-directories recursively.
  -w, --watch           Watch for changes.

json2yaml

usage: json2yaml [-h] [-v] [-d DEPTH] [-i INDENTATION] [-s] [-r] [-w] input

Positional arguments:
  input                 JSON file or directory containing JSON files.

Optional arguments:
  -h, --help            Show this help message and exit.
  -v, --version         Show program's version number and exit.
  -d DEPTH, --depth DEPTH
                        Set minimum level of depth before generating inline 
                        YAML (default: 2).
  -i INDENTATION, --indentation INDENTATION
                        Number of space characters used to indent code 
                        (default: 2).
  -s, --save            Save output inside YML file(s) with the same name.
  -r, --recursive       If the input is a directory, also find JSON files in 
                        sub-directories recursively.
  -w, --watch           Watch for changes.

examples

# Convert YAML to JSON and output resulting JSON on the console
yaml2json myfile.yml

# Store output inside a JSON file
yaml2json myfile.yml > output.json

# Output "pretty" (indented) JSON
yaml2json myfile.yml --pretty

# Save the output inside a file called myfile.json
yaml2json myfile.yml --pretty --save

# Watch a full directory and convert any YAML file into its JSON equivalent
yaml2json mydirectory --pretty --save --recursive

# Convert JSON to YAML and store output inside a JSON file
json2yaml myfile.json > output.yml

# Output YAML that will be inlined only after 8 levels of indentation
json2yaml myfile.json --depth 8

# Save the output inside a file called myfile.json with 4 spaces for each indentation
json2yaml myfile.json --indentation 4

# Watch a full directory and convert any JSON file into its YAML equivalent
json2yaml mydirectory --pretty --save --recursive