nlohmann::basic_json::value

// (1)
template<class ValueType>
ValueType value(const typename object_t::key_type& key,
                const ValueType& default_value) const;

// (2)
template<class ValueType>
ValueType value(const json_pointer& ptr,
                const ValueType& default_value) const;

1. Returns either a copy of an object's element at the specified key key or a given default value if no element with key key exists.

   The function is basically equivalent to executing

   try {
      return at(key);
   } catch(out_of_range) {
      return default_value;
   }
   

2. Returns either a copy of an object's element at the specified JSON pointer ptr or a given default value if no value at ptr exists.

   The function is basically equivalent to executing

   try {
      return at(ptr);
   } catch(out_of_range) {
      return default_value;
   }
   

!!! note

- Unlike [`at`](at.md), this function does not throw if the given `key`/`ptr` was not found.
- Unlike [`operator[]`](operator[].md), this function does not implicitly add an element to the position defined by
 `key`/`ptr` key. This function is furthermore also applicable to const objects.

Template parameters

ValueType : type compatible to JSON values, for instance #!cpp int for JSON integer numbers, #!cpp bool for JSON booleans, or #!cpp std::vector types for JSON arrays. Note the type of the expected value at key/ptr and the default value default_value must be compatible.

Parameters

key (in) : key of the element to access

default_value (in) : the value to return if key/ptr found no value

ptr (in) : a JSON pointer to the element to access

Return value

1. copy of the element at key key or default_value if key is not found
2. copy of the element at JSON Pointer ptr or default_value if no value for ptr is found

Exception safety

Strong guarantee: if an exception is thrown, there are no changes to any JSON value.

Exceptions

1. The function can throw the following exceptions:
   • Throws type_error.302 if default_value does not match the type of the value at key
   • Throws type_error.306 if the JSON value is not an object; in that case, using value() with a key makes no sense.
2. The function can throw the following exceptions:
   • Throws type_error.302 if default_value does not match the type of the value at ptr
   • Throws type_error.306 if the JSON value is not an object; in that case, using value() with a key makes no sense.

Complexity

1. Logarithmic in the size of the container.
2. Logarithmic in the size of the container.

Examples

??? example “Example (1): access specified object element with default value”

The example below shows how object elements can be queried with a default value.

```cpp
--8<-- "examples/basic_json__value.cpp"
```

Output:

```json
--8<-- "examples/basic_json__value.output"
```

??? example “Example (2): access specified object element via JSON Pointer with default value”

The example below shows how object elements can be queried with a default value.

```cpp
--8<-- "examples/basic_json__value_ptr.cpp"
```

Output:

```json
--8<-- "examples/basic_json__value_ptr.output"
```

See also

• see at for access by reference with range checking
• see operator[] for unchecked access by reference

Version history

1. Added in version 1.0.0.
2. Added in version 2.0.2.