json/doc/mkdocs/docs/features/element_access/checked_access.md

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2020-07-25 12:40:50 +00:00
# Checked access: at
## Overview
The `#!cpp at()` member function performs checked access; that is, it returns a reference to the desired value if it exists and throws a [`basic_json::out_of_range` exception](../../home/exceptions.md#out-of-range) otherwise.
??? example
Consider the following JSON value:
```json
{
"name": "Mary Smith",
"age": 42,
"hobbies": ["hiking", "reading"]
}
```
Assume the value is parsed to a `json` variable `j`.
| expression | value |
| ---------- | ----- |
| `#!cpp j` | `#!json {"name": "Mary Smith", "age": 42, "hobbies": ["hiking", "reading"]}` |
| `#!cpp j.at("name")` | `#!json "Mary Smith"` |
| `#!cpp j.at("age")` | `#!json 42` |
| `#!cpp j.at("hobbies")` | `#!json ["hiking", "reading"]` |
| `#!cpp j.at("hobbies").at(0)` | `#!json "hiking"` |
| `#!cpp j.at("hobbies").at(1)` | `#!json "reading"` |
The return value is a reference, so it can be modify the original value.
??? example
```cpp
j.at("name") = "John Smith";
```
This code produces the following JSON value:
```json
{
"name": "John Smith",
"age": 42,
"hobbies": ["hiking", "reading"]
}
```
When accessing an invalid index (i.e., and index greater than or equal to the array size) or the passed object key is non-existing, an exception is thrown.
??? example
```cpp
j.at("hobbies").at(3) = "cooking";
```
This code produces the following exception:
```
[json.exception.out_of_range.401] array index 3 is out of range
```
## Notes
!!! failure "Exceptions"
- `at` can only be used with objects (with a string argument) or with arrays (with a numeric argument). For other types, a [`basic_json::type_error`](../../home/exceptions.md#jsonexceptiontype_error304) is thrown.
- [`basic_json::out_of_range` exception](../../home/exceptions.md#out-of-range) exceptions are thrown if the provided key is not found in an object or the provided index is invalid.
## Summary
| scenario | non-const value | const value |
| -------- | ------------- | ----------- |
| access to existing object key | reference to existing value is returned | const reference to existing value is returned |
| access to valid array index | reference to existing value is returned | const reference to existing value is returned |
| access to non-existing object key | `basic_json::out_of_range` exception is thrown | `basic_json::out_of_range` exception is thrown |
| access to invalid array index | `basic_json::out_of_range` exception is thrown | `basic_json::out_of_range` exception is thrown |