Parse a JSON field where the name starts with a number?

[james.wilson]

I have some JSON that looks like this:

{
  "first_field": "a value",
  "2nd_field": "another value"
}

Is it possible to model this in ECL? I can't have a fieldname that starts with a number

MyLayout := RECORD
STRING first_field;
STRING 2nd_field;
END;

But I don't appear to be able to do it with XPATH either, this produces a compilation error too:

MyLayout := RECORD
STRING first_field;
STRING second_field {XPATH('2nd_field')};
END;

Any ways round this?

[rtaylor]

James,

Yep, looks like the XPATH parser doesn't like names that start with a number.

My only suggestion is to edit the source JSON text and search/replace all those names by prepending an underscore (i.e. change "2field" to "_2field") and then the parser will be happy.

Otherwise, if this is a common practice in JSON, you need to submit a JIRA to fix the "bug" in the parser.

HTH,

Richard

[james.wilson]

Hi Richard

Unfortunately it's not my JSON so I can't change the field names

I've created https://track.hpccsystems.com/browse/HPCC-26969 to see if it can be fixed at some point.

Thanks

James