diff --git a/examples/hello/C/helloFStream.c b/examples/hello/C/helloFStream.c
index 70f890db1e0b13d243ebb58734e6621477f69bfb..7e8a9392e5d4dfc105763ade01dddfc7efd01cb3 100644
--- a/examples/hello/C/helloFStream.c
+++ b/examples/hello/C/helloFStream.c
@@ -4,43 +4,42 @@
  *      Author: wfg
  */
 
-
-
 #include "../../../include/ADIOS_C.h"
 
-
-void main( int argc, char* argv [] )
+void main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-    MPI_Init( &argc, &argv );
-    int rank;
-    MPI_Comm_rank( MPI_COMM_WORLD, &rank );
-
-    //populate values
-    double* myNumbers;
-    myNumbers = (double*) malloc( 10 * sizeof(double) );
-
-    int i;
-    for( i = 0; i < 10; ++i )
-        myNumbers[i] = i+1;
-
-    //start ADIOS
-    ADIOS* adiosC, adiosC2;
-    const char group [] = "Types";
-    const char group2 [] = "Types2";
-
-
-    adiosC2 = adios_init_debug( "fstream.xml", MPI_COMM_WORLD ); //debug  mode
-
-    adios_create_group( adiosC, "groupCFD");
-    adios_create_variable( adiosC, "groupCFD", "temperature" );
-    adios_create_group( adiosC2, "groupFEM", "temperature" );
-    ///
-    adios_open( adiosC, group, "helloVector.txt", "w" ); //open group Types associated with file "helloVector.txt" for writing
-    adios_open( adiosC, group2, "Vector.txt", "w" ); //open group Types associated with file "helloVector.txt" for writing
-    adios_write( adiosC, group, "Types", myNumbers );
-    adios_close( adiosC, group );
-
-
-    free( myNumbers );
-
+  MPI_Init(&argc, &argv);
+  int rank;
+  MPI_Comm_rank(MPI_COMM_WORLD, &rank);
+
+  // populate values
+  double *myNumbers;
+  myNumbers = (double *)malloc(10 * sizeof(double));
+
+  int i;
+  for (i = 0; i < 10; ++i)
+    myNumbers[i] = i + 1;
+
+  // start ADIOS
+  ADIOS *adiosC, adiosC2;
+  const char group[] = "Types";
+  const char group2[] = "Types2";
+
+  adiosC2 = adios_init_debug("fstream.xml", MPI_COMM_WORLD); // debug  mode
+
+  adios_create_group(adiosC, "groupCFD");
+  adios_create_variable(adiosC, "groupCFD", "temperature");
+  adios_create_group(adiosC2, "groupFEM", "temperature");
+  ///
+  adios_open(adiosC, group, "helloVector.txt", "w"); // open group Types
+                                                     // associated with file
+                                                     // "helloVector.txt" for
+                                                     // writing
+  adios_open(adiosC, group2, "Vector.txt", "w"); // open group Types associated
+                                                 // with file "helloVector.txt"
+                                                 // for writing
+  adios_write(adiosC, group, "Types", myNumbers);
+  adios_close(adiosC, group);
+
+  free(myNumbers);
 }
diff --git a/include/core/Engine.h b/include/core/Engine.h
index 99cdde1ba719ffdf3cd27fb9b4c4e9810e397ad4..25fe9ad5702919197f248f8fa44c02c82fe7288e 100644
--- a/include/core/Engine.h
+++ b/include/core/Engine.h
@@ -489,7 +489,7 @@ protected:
 
   bool TransportNamesUniqueness() const; ///< checks if transport names are
                                          /// unique among the same types (file
-  /// I/O)
+                                         /// I/O)
 
   /**
    * Throws an exception in debug mode if transport index is out of range.
diff --git a/include/external/json.hpp b/include/external/json.hpp
index fa9b85f2637cfe8cc2d77c89d417c9df8991a6c6..c919f46b7ad63e7c4af7a7a32100d1a85a99d60e 100644
--- a/include/external/json.hpp
+++ b/include/external/json.hpp
@@ -29,74 +29,77 @@ SOFTWARE.
 #ifndef NLOHMANN_JSON_HPP
 #define NLOHMANN_JSON_HPP
 
-#include <algorithm> // all_of, for_each, transform
-#include <array> // array
-#include <cassert> // assert
-#include <cctype> // isdigit
-#include <ciso646> // and, not, or
-#include <cmath> // isfinite, ldexp, signbit
-#include <cstddef> // nullptr_t, ptrdiff_t, size_t
-#include <cstdint> // int64_t, uint64_t
-#include <cstdlib> // strtod, strtof, strtold, strtoul
-#include <cstring> // strlen
-#include <functional> // function, hash, less
+#include <algorithm>        // all_of, for_each, transform
+#include <array>            // array
+#include <cassert>          // assert
+#include <cctype>           // isdigit
+#include <ciso646>          // and, not, or
+#include <cmath>            // isfinite, ldexp, signbit
+#include <cstddef>          // nullptr_t, ptrdiff_t, size_t
+#include <cstdint>          // int64_t, uint64_t
+#include <cstdlib>          // strtod, strtof, strtold, strtoul
+#include <cstring>          // strlen
+#include <functional>       // function, hash, less
 #include <initializer_list> // initializer_list
-#include <iomanip> // setw
-#include <iostream> // istream, ostream
-#include <iterator> // advance, begin, bidirectional_iterator_tag, distance, end, inserter, iterator, iterator_traits, next, random_access_iterator_tag, reverse_iterator
-#include <limits> // numeric_limits
-#include <locale> // locale
-#include <map> // map
-#include <memory> // addressof, allocator, allocator_traits, unique_ptr
-#include <numeric> // accumulate
-#include <sstream> // stringstream
-#include <stdexcept> // domain_error, invalid_argument, out_of_range
-#include <string> // getline, stoi, string, to_string
+#include <iomanip>          // setw
+#include <iostream>         // istream, ostream
+#include <iterator>         // advance, begin, bidirectional_iterator_tag, distance, end, inserter, iterator, iterator_traits, next, random_access_iterator_tag, reverse_iterator
+#include <limits>           // numeric_limits
+#include <locale>           // locale
+#include <map>              // map
+#include <memory>      // addressof, allocator, allocator_traits, unique_ptr
+#include <numeric>     // accumulate
+#include <sstream>     // stringstream
+#include <stdexcept>   // domain_error, invalid_argument, out_of_range
+#include <string>      // getline, stoi, string, to_string
 #include <type_traits> // add_pointer, enable_if, is_arithmetic, is_base_of, is_const, is_constructible, is_convertible, is_floating_point, is_integral, is_nothrow_move_assignable, std::is_nothrow_move_constructible, std::is_pointer, std::is_reference, std::is_same, remove_const, remove_pointer, remove_reference
-#include <utility> // declval, forward, make_pair, move, pair, swap
-#include <vector> // vector
+#include <utility>     // declval, forward, make_pair, move, pair, swap
+#include <vector>      // vector
 
 // exclude unsupported compilers
 #if defined(__clang__)
-    #if (__clang_major__ * 10000 + __clang_minor__ * 100 + __clang_patchlevel__) < 30400
-        #error "unsupported Clang version - see https://github.com/nlohmann/json#supported-compilers"
-    #endif
+#if (__clang_major__ * 10000 + __clang_minor__ * 100 + __clang_patchlevel__) < \
+    30400
+#error                                                                         \
+    "unsupported Clang version - see https://github.com/nlohmann/json#supported-compilers"
+#endif
 #elif defined(__GNUC__)
-    #if (__GNUC__ * 10000 + __GNUC_MINOR__ * 100 + __GNUC_PATCHLEVEL__) < 40900
-        #error "unsupported GCC version - see https://github.com/nlohmann/json#supported-compilers"
-    #endif
+#if (__GNUC__ * 10000 + __GNUC_MINOR__ * 100 + __GNUC_PATCHLEVEL__) < 40900
+#error                                                                         \
+    "unsupported GCC version - see https://github.com/nlohmann/json#supported-compilers"
+#endif
 #endif
 
 // disable float-equal warnings on GCC/clang
 #if defined(__clang__) || defined(__GNUC__) || defined(__GNUG__)
-    #pragma GCC diagnostic push
-    #pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wfloat-equal"
+#pragma GCC diagnostic push
+#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wfloat-equal"
 #endif
 
 // disable documentation warnings on clang
 #if defined(__clang__)
-    #pragma GCC diagnostic push
-    #pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wdocumentation"
+#pragma GCC diagnostic push
+#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wdocumentation"
 #endif
 
 // allow for portable deprecation warnings
 #if defined(__clang__) || defined(__GNUC__) || defined(__GNUG__)
-    #define JSON_DEPRECATED __attribute__((deprecated))
+#define JSON_DEPRECATED __attribute__((deprecated))
 #elif defined(_MSC_VER)
-    #define JSON_DEPRECATED __declspec(deprecated)
+#define JSON_DEPRECATED __declspec(deprecated)
 #else
-    #define JSON_DEPRECATED
+#define JSON_DEPRECATED
 #endif
 
 // allow to disable exceptions
 #if not defined(JSON_NOEXCEPTION) || defined(__EXCEPTIONS)
-    #define JSON_THROW(exception) throw exception
-    #define JSON_TRY try
-    #define JSON_CATCH(exception) catch(exception)
+#define JSON_THROW(exception) throw exception
+#define JSON_TRY try
+#define JSON_CATCH(exception) catch (exception)
 #else
-    #define JSON_THROW(exception) std::abort()
-    #define JSON_TRY if(true)
-    #define JSON_CATCH(exception) if(false)
+#define JSON_THROW(exception) std::abort()
+#define JSON_TRY if (true)
+#define JSON_CATCH(exception) if (false)
 #endif
 
 /*!
@@ -107,7 +110,6 @@ SOFTWARE.
 namespace nlohmann
 {
 
-
 /*!
 @brief unnamed namespace with internal helper functions
 @since version 1.0.0
@@ -124,17 +126,17 @@ contains a `mapped_type`, whereas `std::vector` fails the test.
 @sa http://stackoverflow.com/a/7728728/266378
 @since version 1.0.0, overworked in version 2.0.6
 */
-template<typename T>
-struct has_mapped_type
+template <typename T> struct has_mapped_type
 {
-  private:
-    template <typename U, typename = typename U::mapped_type>
-    static int detect(U&&);
+private:
+  template <typename U, typename = typename U::mapped_type>
+  static int detect(U &&);
 
-    static void detect(...);
-  public:
-    static constexpr bool value =
-        std::is_integral<decltype(detect(std::declval<T>()))>::value;
+  static void detect(...);
+
+public:
+  static constexpr bool value =
+      std::is_integral<decltype(detect(std::declval<T>()))>::value;
 };
 
 } // namespace
@@ -161,12 +163,15 @@ default)
 
 @requirement The class satisfies the following concept requirements:
 - Basic
- - [DefaultConstructible](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/DefaultConstructible):
+ -
+[DefaultConstructible](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/DefaultConstructible):
    JSON values can be default constructed. The result will be a JSON null
    value.
- - [MoveConstructible](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/MoveConstructible):
+ -
+[MoveConstructible](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/MoveConstructible):
    A JSON value can be constructed from an rvalue argument.
- - [CopyConstructible](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/CopyConstructible):
+ -
+[CopyConstructible](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/CopyConstructible):
    A JSON value can be copy-constructed from an lvalue expression.
  - [MoveAssignable](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/MoveAssignable):
    A JSON value van be assigned from an rvalue argument.
@@ -175,16 +180,20 @@ default)
  - [Destructible](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Destructible):
    JSON values can be destructed.
 - Layout
- - [StandardLayoutType](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/StandardLayoutType):
+ -
+[StandardLayoutType](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/StandardLayoutType):
    JSON values have
-   [standard layout](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/language/data_members#Standard_layout):
+   [standard
+layout](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/language/data_members#Standard_layout):
    All non-static data members are private and standard layout types, the
    class has no virtual functions or (virtual) base classes.
 - Library-wide
- - [EqualityComparable](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/EqualityComparable):
+ -
+[EqualityComparable](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/EqualityComparable):
    JSON values can be compared with `==`, see @ref
    operator==(const_reference,const_reference).
- - [LessThanComparable](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/LessThanComparable):
+ -
+[LessThanComparable](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/LessThanComparable):
    JSON values can be compared with `<`, see @ref
    operator<(const_reference,const_reference).
  - [Swappable](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Swappable):
@@ -196,7 +205,8 @@ default)
 - Container
  - [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container):
    JSON values can be used like STL containers and provide iterator access.
- - [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer);
+ -
+[ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer);
    JSON values can be used like STL containers and provide reverse iterator
    access.
 
@@ -218,11991 +228,12072 @@ Format](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159)
 
 @nosubgrouping
 */
-template <
-    template<typename U, typename V, typename... Args> class ObjectType = std::map,
-    template<typename U, typename... Args> class ArrayType = std::vector,
-    class StringType = std::string,
-    class BooleanType = bool,
-    class NumberIntegerType = std::int64_t,
-    class NumberUnsignedType = std::uint64_t,
-    class NumberFloatType = double,
-    template<typename U> class AllocatorType = std::allocator
-    >
+template <template <typename U, typename V, typename... Args> class ObjectType =
+              std::map,
+          template <typename U, typename... Args> class ArrayType = std::vector,
+          class StringType = std::string, class BooleanType = bool,
+          class NumberIntegerType = std::int64_t,
+          class NumberUnsignedType = std::uint64_t,
+          class NumberFloatType = double,
+          template <typename U> class AllocatorType = std::allocator>
 class basic_json
 {
-  private:
-    /// workaround type for MSVC
-    using basic_json_t = basic_json<ObjectType, ArrayType, StringType,
-          BooleanType, NumberIntegerType, NumberUnsignedType, NumberFloatType,
-          AllocatorType>;
-
-  public:
-    // forward declarations
-    template<typename U> class iter_impl;
-    template<typename Base> class json_reverse_iterator;
-    class json_pointer;
-
-    /////////////////////
-    // container types //
-    /////////////////////
-
-    /// @name container types
-    /// The canonic container types to use @ref basic_json like any other STL
-    /// container.
-    /// @{
-
-    /// the type of elements in a basic_json container
-    using value_type = basic_json;
-
-    /// the type of an element reference
-    using reference = value_type&;
-    /// the type of an element const reference
-    using const_reference = const value_type&;
-
-    /// a type to represent differences between iterators
-    using difference_type = std::ptrdiff_t;
-    /// a type to represent container sizes
-    using size_type = std::size_t;
-
-    /// the allocator type
-    using allocator_type = AllocatorType<basic_json>;
-
-    /// the type of an element pointer
-    using pointer = typename std::allocator_traits<allocator_type>::pointer;
-    /// the type of an element const pointer
-    using const_pointer = typename std::allocator_traits<allocator_type>::const_pointer;
-
-    /// an iterator for a basic_json container
-    using iterator = iter_impl<basic_json>;
-    /// a const iterator for a basic_json container
-    using const_iterator = iter_impl<const basic_json>;
-    /// a reverse iterator for a basic_json container
-    using reverse_iterator = json_reverse_iterator<typename basic_json::iterator>;
-    /// a const reverse iterator for a basic_json container
-    using const_reverse_iterator = json_reverse_iterator<typename basic_json::const_iterator>;
-
-    /// @}
-
-
-    /*!
-    @brief returns the allocator associated with the container
-    */
-    static allocator_type get_allocator()
-    {
-        return allocator_type();
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief returns version information on the library
-    */
-    static basic_json meta()
-    {
-        basic_json result;
-
-        result["copyright"] = "(C) 2013-2017 Niels Lohmann";
-        result["name"] = "JSON for Modern C++";
-        result["url"] = "https://github.com/nlohmann/json";
-        result["version"] =
-        {
-            {"string", "2.0.10"},
-            {"major", 2},
-            {"minor", 0},
-            {"patch", 10},
-        };
+private:
+  /// workaround type for MSVC
+  using basic_json_t =
+      basic_json<ObjectType, ArrayType, StringType, BooleanType,
+                 NumberIntegerType, NumberUnsignedType, NumberFloatType,
+                 AllocatorType>;
+
+public:
+  // forward declarations
+  template <typename U> class iter_impl;
+  template <typename Base> class json_reverse_iterator;
+  class json_pointer;
+
+  /////////////////////
+  // container types //
+  /////////////////////
+
+  /// @name container types
+  /// The canonic container types to use @ref basic_json like any other STL
+  /// container.
+  /// @{
+
+  /// the type of elements in a basic_json container
+  using value_type = basic_json;
+
+  /// the type of an element reference
+  using reference = value_type &;
+  /// the type of an element const reference
+  using const_reference = const value_type &;
+
+  /// a type to represent differences between iterators
+  using difference_type = std::ptrdiff_t;
+  /// a type to represent container sizes
+  using size_type = std::size_t;
+
+  /// the allocator type
+  using allocator_type = AllocatorType<basic_json>;
+
+  /// the type of an element pointer
+  using pointer = typename std::allocator_traits<allocator_type>::pointer;
+  /// the type of an element const pointer
+  using const_pointer =
+      typename std::allocator_traits<allocator_type>::const_pointer;
+
+  /// an iterator for a basic_json container
+  using iterator = iter_impl<basic_json>;
+  /// a const iterator for a basic_json container
+  using const_iterator = iter_impl<const basic_json>;
+  /// a reverse iterator for a basic_json container
+  using reverse_iterator = json_reverse_iterator<typename basic_json::iterator>;
+  /// a const reverse iterator for a basic_json container
+  using const_reverse_iterator =
+      json_reverse_iterator<typename basic_json::const_iterator>;
+
+  /// @}
+
+  /*!
+  @brief returns the allocator associated with the container
+  */
+  static allocator_type get_allocator() { return allocator_type(); }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief returns version information on the library
+  */
+  static basic_json meta()
+  {
+    basic_json result;
+
+    result["copyright"] = "(C) 2013-2017 Niels Lohmann";
+    result["name"] = "JSON for Modern C++";
+    result["url"] = "https://github.com/nlohmann/json";
+    result["version"] = {
+        {"string", "2.0.10"}, {"major", 2}, {"minor", 0}, {"patch", 10},
+    };
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
-        result["platform"] = "win32";
+    result["platform"] = "win32";
 #elif defined __linux__
-        result["platform"] = "linux";
+    result["platform"] = "linux";
 #elif defined __APPLE__
-        result["platform"] = "apple";
+    result["platform"] = "apple";
 #elif defined __unix__
-        result["platform"] = "unix";
+    result["platform"] = "unix";
 #else
-        result["platform"] = "unknown";
+    result["platform"] = "unknown";
 #endif
 
 #if defined(__clang__)
-        result["compiler"] = {{"family", "clang"}, {"version", __clang_version__}};
+    result["compiler"] = {{"family", "clang"}, {"version", __clang_version__}};
 #elif defined(__ICC) || defined(__INTEL_COMPILER)
-        result["compiler"] = {{"family", "icc"}, {"version", __INTEL_COMPILER}};
+    result["compiler"] = {{"family", "icc"}, {"version", __INTEL_COMPILER}};
 #elif defined(__GNUC__) || defined(__GNUG__)
-        result["compiler"] = {{"family", "gcc"}, {"version", std::to_string(__GNUC__) + "." + std::to_string(__GNUC_MINOR__) + "." + std::to_string(__GNUC_PATCHLEVEL__)}};
+    result["compiler"] = {{"family", "gcc"},
+                          {"version", std::to_string(__GNUC__) + "." +
+                                          std::to_string(__GNUC_MINOR__) + "." +
+                                          std::to_string(__GNUC_PATCHLEVEL__)}};
 #elif defined(__HP_cc) || defined(__HP_aCC)
-        result["compiler"] = "hp"
+    result["compiler"] = "hp"
 #elif defined(__IBMCPP__)
-        result["compiler"] = {{"family", "ilecpp"}, {"version", __IBMCPP__}};
+    result["compiler"] = {{"family", "ilecpp"}, {"version", __IBMCPP__}};
 #elif defined(_MSC_VER)
-        result["compiler"] = {{"family", "msvc"}, {"version", _MSC_VER}};
+    result["compiler"] = {{"family", "msvc"}, {"version", _MSC_VER}};
 #elif defined(__PGI)
-        result["compiler"] = {{"family", "pgcpp"}, {"version", __PGI}};
+    result["compiler"] = {{"family", "pgcpp"}, {"version", __PGI}};
 #elif defined(__SUNPRO_CC)
-        result["compiler"] = {{"family", "sunpro"}, {"version", __SUNPRO_CC}};
+    result["compiler"] = {{"family", "sunpro"}, {"version", __SUNPRO_CC}};
 #else
-        result["compiler"] = {{"family", "unknown"}, {"version", "unknown"}};
+    result["compiler"] = {{"family", "unknown"}, {"version", "unknown"}};
 #endif
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
-        result["compiler"]["c++"] = std::to_string(__cplusplus);
+    result["compiler"]["c++"] = std::to_string(__cplusplus);
 #else
-        result["compiler"]["c++"] = "unknown";
+    result["compiler"]["c++"] = "unknown";
 #endif
-        return result;
-    }
-
-
-    ///////////////////////////
-    // JSON value data types //
-    ///////////////////////////
+    return result;
+  }
+
+  ///////////////////////////
+  // JSON value data types //
+  ///////////////////////////
+
+  /// @name JSON value data types
+  /// The data types to store a JSON value. These types are derived from
+  /// the template arguments passed to class @ref basic_json.
+  /// @{
+
+  /*!
+  @brief a type for an object
+
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes JSON objects as follows:
+  > An object is an unordered collection of zero or more name/value pairs,
+  > where a name is a string and a value is a string, number, boolean, null,
+  > object, or array.
+
+  To store objects in C++, a type is defined by the template parameters
+  described below.
+
+  @tparam ObjectType  the container to store objects (e.g., `std::map` or
+  `std::unordered_map`)
+  @tparam StringType the type of the keys or names (e.g., `std::string`).
+  The comparison function `std::less<StringType>` is used to order elements
+  inside the container.
+  @tparam AllocatorType the allocator to use for objects (e.g.,
+  `std::allocator`)
+
+  #### Default type
+
+  With the default values for @a ObjectType (`std::map`), @a StringType
+  (`std::string`), and @a AllocatorType (`std::allocator`), the default
+  value for @a object_t is:
+
+  @code {.cpp}
+  std::map<
+    std::string, // key_type
+    basic_json, // value_type
+    std::less<std::string>, // key_compare
+    std::allocator<std::pair<const std::string, basic_json>> // allocator_type
+  >
+  @endcode
+
+  #### Behavior
+
+  The choice of @a object_t influences the behavior of the JSON class. With
+  the default type, objects have the following behavior:
 
-    /// @name JSON value data types
-    /// The data types to store a JSON value. These types are derived from
-    /// the template arguments passed to class @ref basic_json.
-    /// @{
+  - When all names are unique, objects will be interoperable in the sense
+    that all software implementations receiving that object will agree on
+    the name-value mappings.
+  - When the names within an object are not unique, later stored name/value
+    pairs overwrite previously stored name/value pairs, leaving the used
+    names unique. For instance, `{"key": 1}` and `{"key": 2, "key": 1}` will
+    be treated as equal and both stored as `{"key": 1}`.
+  - Internally, name/value pairs are stored in lexicographical order of the
+    names. Objects will also be serialized (see @ref dump) in this order.
+    For instance, `{"b": 1, "a": 2}` and `{"a": 2, "b": 1}` will be stored
+    and serialized as `{"a": 2, "b": 1}`.
+  - When comparing objects, the order of the name/value pairs is irrelevant.
+    This makes objects interoperable in the sense that they will not be
+    affected by these differences. For instance, `{"b": 1, "a": 2}` and
+    `{"a": 2, "b": 1}` will be treated as equal.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief a type for an object
+  #### Limits
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes JSON objects as follows:
-    > An object is an unordered collection of zero or more name/value pairs,
-    > where a name is a string and a value is a string, number, boolean, null,
-    > object, or array.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) specifies:
+  > An implementation may set limits on the maximum depth of nesting.
 
-    To store objects in C++, a type is defined by the template parameters
-    described below.
+  In this class, the object's limit of nesting is not constraint explicitly.
+  However, a maximum depth of nesting may be introduced by the compiler or
+  runtime environment. A theoretical limit can be queried by calling the
+  @ref max_size function of a JSON object.
 
-    @tparam ObjectType  the container to store objects (e.g., `std::map` or
-    `std::unordered_map`)
-    @tparam StringType the type of the keys or names (e.g., `std::string`).
-    The comparison function `std::less<StringType>` is used to order elements
-    inside the container.
-    @tparam AllocatorType the allocator to use for objects (e.g.,
-    `std::allocator`)
+  #### Storage
 
-    #### Default type
+  Objects are stored as pointers in a @ref basic_json type. That is, for any
+  access to object values, a pointer of type `object_t*` must be
+  dereferenced.
 
-    With the default values for @a ObjectType (`std::map`), @a StringType
-    (`std::string`), and @a AllocatorType (`std::allocator`), the default
-    value for @a object_t is:
+  @sa @ref array_t -- type for an array value
 
-    @code {.cpp}
-    std::map<
-      std::string, // key_type
-      basic_json, // value_type
-      std::less<std::string>, // key_compare
-      std::allocator<std::pair<const std::string, basic_json>> // allocator_type
-    >
-    @endcode
+  @since version 1.0.0
 
-    #### Behavior
-
-    The choice of @a object_t influences the behavior of the JSON class. With
-    the default type, objects have the following behavior:
-
-    - When all names are unique, objects will be interoperable in the sense
-      that all software implementations receiving that object will agree on
-      the name-value mappings.
-    - When the names within an object are not unique, later stored name/value
-      pairs overwrite previously stored name/value pairs, leaving the used
-      names unique. For instance, `{"key": 1}` and `{"key": 2, "key": 1}` will
-      be treated as equal and both stored as `{"key": 1}`.
-    - Internally, name/value pairs are stored in lexicographical order of the
-      names. Objects will also be serialized (see @ref dump) in this order.
-      For instance, `{"b": 1, "a": 2}` and `{"a": 2, "b": 1}` will be stored
-      and serialized as `{"a": 2, "b": 1}`.
-    - When comparing objects, the order of the name/value pairs is irrelevant.
-      This makes objects interoperable in the sense that they will not be
-      affected by these differences. For instance, `{"b": 1, "a": 2}` and
-      `{"a": 2, "b": 1}` will be treated as equal.
-
-    #### Limits
-
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) specifies:
-    > An implementation may set limits on the maximum depth of nesting.
-
-    In this class, the object's limit of nesting is not constraint explicitly.
-    However, a maximum depth of nesting may be introduced by the compiler or
-    runtime environment. A theoretical limit can be queried by calling the
-    @ref max_size function of a JSON object.
-
-    #### Storage
-
-    Objects are stored as pointers in a @ref basic_json type. That is, for any
-    access to object values, a pointer of type `object_t*` must be
-    dereferenced.
-
-    @sa @ref array_t -- type for an array value
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-
-    @note The order name/value pairs are added to the object is *not*
-    preserved by the library. Therefore, iterating an object may return
-    name/value pairs in a different order than they were originally stored. In
-    fact, keys will be traversed in alphabetical order as `std::map` with
-    `std::less` is used by default. Please note this behavior conforms to [RFC
-    7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159), because any order implements the
-    specified "unordered" nature of JSON objects.
-    */
-    using object_t = ObjectType<StringType,
-          basic_json,
-          std::less<StringType>,
-          AllocatorType<std::pair<const StringType,
-          basic_json>>>;
+  @note The order name/value pairs are added to the object is *not*
+  preserved by the library. Therefore, iterating an object may return
+  name/value pairs in a different order than they were originally stored. In
+  fact, keys will be traversed in alphabetical order as `std::map` with
+  `std::less` is used by default. Please note this behavior conforms to [RFC
+  7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159), because any order implements the
+  specified "unordered" nature of JSON objects.
+  */
+  using object_t =
+      ObjectType<StringType, basic_json, std::less<StringType>,
+                 AllocatorType<std::pair<const StringType, basic_json>>>;
 
-    /*!
-    @brief a type for an array
+  /*!
+  @brief a type for an array
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes JSON arrays as follows:
-    > An array is an ordered sequence of zero or more values.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes JSON arrays as follows:
+  > An array is an ordered sequence of zero or more values.
 
-    To store objects in C++, a type is defined by the template parameters
-    explained below.
+  To store objects in C++, a type is defined by the template parameters
+  explained below.
 
-    @tparam ArrayType  container type to store arrays (e.g., `std::vector` or
-    `std::list`)
-    @tparam AllocatorType allocator to use for arrays (e.g., `std::allocator`)
+  @tparam ArrayType  container type to store arrays (e.g., `std::vector` or
+  `std::list`)
+  @tparam AllocatorType allocator to use for arrays (e.g., `std::allocator`)
 
-    #### Default type
+  #### Default type
 
-    With the default values for @a ArrayType (`std::vector`) and @a
-    AllocatorType (`std::allocator`), the default value for @a array_t is:
+  With the default values for @a ArrayType (`std::vector`) and @a
+  AllocatorType (`std::allocator`), the default value for @a array_t is:
 
-    @code {.cpp}
-    std::vector<
-      basic_json, // value_type
-      std::allocator<basic_json> // allocator_type
-    >
-    @endcode
+  @code {.cpp}
+  std::vector<
+    basic_json, // value_type
+    std::allocator<basic_json> // allocator_type
+  >
+  @endcode
 
-    #### Limits
+  #### Limits
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) specifies:
-    > An implementation may set limits on the maximum depth of nesting.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) specifies:
+  > An implementation may set limits on the maximum depth of nesting.
 
-    In this class, the array's limit of nesting is not constraint explicitly.
-    However, a maximum depth of nesting may be introduced by the compiler or
-    runtime environment. A theoretical limit can be queried by calling the
-    @ref max_size function of a JSON array.
+  In this class, the array's limit of nesting is not constraint explicitly.
+  However, a maximum depth of nesting may be introduced by the compiler or
+  runtime environment. A theoretical limit can be queried by calling the
+  @ref max_size function of a JSON array.
 
-    #### Storage
+  #### Storage
 
-    Arrays are stored as pointers in a @ref basic_json type. That is, for any
-    access to array values, a pointer of type `array_t*` must be dereferenced.
+  Arrays are stored as pointers in a @ref basic_json type. That is, for any
+  access to array values, a pointer of type `array_t*` must be dereferenced.
 
-    @sa @ref object_t -- type for an object value
+  @sa @ref object_t -- type for an object value
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    using array_t = ArrayType<basic_json, AllocatorType<basic_json>>;
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  using array_t = ArrayType<basic_json, AllocatorType<basic_json>>;
 
-    /*!
-    @brief a type for a string
+  /*!
+  @brief a type for a string
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes JSON strings as follows:
-    > A string is a sequence of zero or more Unicode characters.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes JSON strings as follows:
+  > A string is a sequence of zero or more Unicode characters.
 
-    To store objects in C++, a type is defined by the template parameter
-    described below. Unicode values are split by the JSON class into
-    byte-sized characters during deserialization.
+  To store objects in C++, a type is defined by the template parameter
+  described below. Unicode values are split by the JSON class into
+  byte-sized characters during deserialization.
 
-    @tparam StringType  the container to store strings (e.g., `std::string`).
-    Note this container is used for keys/names in objects, see @ref object_t.
+  @tparam StringType  the container to store strings (e.g., `std::string`).
+  Note this container is used for keys/names in objects, see @ref object_t.
 
-    #### Default type
+  #### Default type
 
-    With the default values for @a StringType (`std::string`), the default
-    value for @a string_t is:
+  With the default values for @a StringType (`std::string`), the default
+  value for @a string_t is:
 
-    @code {.cpp}
-    std::string
-    @endcode
+  @code {.cpp}
+  std::string
+  @endcode
 
-    #### Encoding
+  #### Encoding
 
-    Strings are stored in UTF-8 encoding. Therefore, functions like
-    `std::string::size()` or `std::string::length()` return the number of
-    bytes in the string rather than the number of characters or glyphs.
+  Strings are stored in UTF-8 encoding. Therefore, functions like
+  `std::string::size()` or `std::string::length()` return the number of
+  bytes in the string rather than the number of characters or glyphs.
 
-    #### String comparison
+  #### String comparison
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) states:
-    > Software implementations are typically required to test names of object
-    > members for equality. Implementations that transform the textual
-    > representation into sequences of Unicode code units and then perform the
-    > comparison numerically, code unit by code unit, are interoperable in the
-    > sense that implementations will agree in all cases on equality or
-    > inequality of two strings. For example, implementations that compare
-    > strings with escaped characters unconverted may incorrectly find that
-    > `"a\\b"` and `"a\u005Cb"` are not equal.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) states:
+  > Software implementations are typically required to test names of object
+  > members for equality. Implementations that transform the textual
+  > representation into sequences of Unicode code units and then perform the
+  > comparison numerically, code unit by code unit, are interoperable in the
+  > sense that implementations will agree in all cases on equality or
+  > inequality of two strings. For example, implementations that compare
+  > strings with escaped characters unconverted may incorrectly find that
+  > `"a\\b"` and `"a\u005Cb"` are not equal.
 
-    This implementation is interoperable as it does compare strings code unit
-    by code unit.
+  This implementation is interoperable as it does compare strings code unit
+  by code unit.
 
-    #### Storage
+  #### Storage
 
-    String values are stored as pointers in a @ref basic_json type. That is,
-    for any access to string values, a pointer of type `string_t*` must be
-    dereferenced.
+  String values are stored as pointers in a @ref basic_json type. That is,
+  for any access to string values, a pointer of type `string_t*` must be
+  dereferenced.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    using string_t = StringType;
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  using string_t = StringType;
 
-    /*!
-    @brief a type for a boolean
+  /*!
+  @brief a type for a boolean
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) implicitly describes a boolean as a
-    type which differentiates the two literals `true` and `false`.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) implicitly describes a boolean as a
+  type which differentiates the two literals `true` and `false`.
 
-    To store objects in C++, a type is defined by the template parameter @a
-    BooleanType which chooses the type to use.
+  To store objects in C++, a type is defined by the template parameter @a
+  BooleanType which chooses the type to use.
 
-    #### Default type
+  #### Default type
 
-    With the default values for @a BooleanType (`bool`), the default value for
-    @a boolean_t is:
+  With the default values for @a BooleanType (`bool`), the default value for
+  @a boolean_t is:
 
-    @code {.cpp}
-    bool
-    @endcode
+  @code {.cpp}
+  bool
+  @endcode
 
-    #### Storage
+  #### Storage
 
-    Boolean values are stored directly inside a @ref basic_json type.
+  Boolean values are stored directly inside a @ref basic_json type.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    using boolean_t = BooleanType;
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  using boolean_t = BooleanType;
 
-    /*!
-    @brief a type for a number (integer)
+  /*!
+  @brief a type for a number (integer)
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes numbers as follows:
-    > The representation of numbers is similar to that used in most
-    > programming languages. A number is represented in base 10 using decimal
-    > digits. It contains an integer component that may be prefixed with an
-    > optional minus sign, which may be followed by a fraction part and/or an
-    > exponent part. Leading zeros are not allowed. (...) Numeric values that
-    > cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as Infinity and NaN)
-    > are not permitted.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes numbers as follows:
+  > The representation of numbers is similar to that used in most
+  > programming languages. A number is represented in base 10 using decimal
+  > digits. It contains an integer component that may be prefixed with an
+  > optional minus sign, which may be followed by a fraction part and/or an
+  > exponent part. Leading zeros are not allowed. (...) Numeric values that
+  > cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as Infinity and NaN)
+  > are not permitted.
 
-    This description includes both integer and floating-point numbers.
-    However, C++ allows more precise storage if it is known whether the number
-    is a signed integer, an unsigned integer or a floating-point number.
-    Therefore, three different types, @ref number_integer_t, @ref
-    number_unsigned_t and @ref number_float_t are used.
+  This description includes both integer and floating-point numbers.
+  However, C++ allows more precise storage if it is known whether the number
+  is a signed integer, an unsigned integer or a floating-point number.
+  Therefore, three different types, @ref number_integer_t, @ref
+  number_unsigned_t and @ref number_float_t are used.
 
-    To store integer numbers in C++, a type is defined by the template
-    parameter @a NumberIntegerType which chooses the type to use.
+  To store integer numbers in C++, a type is defined by the template
+  parameter @a NumberIntegerType which chooses the type to use.
 
-    #### Default type
+  #### Default type
 
-    With the default values for @a NumberIntegerType (`int64_t`), the default
-    value for @a number_integer_t is:
+  With the default values for @a NumberIntegerType (`int64_t`), the default
+  value for @a number_integer_t is:
 
-    @code {.cpp}
-    int64_t
-    @endcode
+  @code {.cpp}
+  int64_t
+  @endcode
 
-    #### Default behavior
+  #### Default behavior
 
-    - The restrictions about leading zeros is not enforced in C++. Instead,
-      leading zeros in integer literals lead to an interpretation as octal
-      number. Internally, the value will be stored as decimal number. For
-      instance, the C++ integer literal `010` will be serialized to `8`.
-      During deserialization, leading zeros yield an error.
-    - Not-a-number (NaN) values will be serialized to `null`.
+  - The restrictions about leading zeros is not enforced in C++. Instead,
+    leading zeros in integer literals lead to an interpretation as octal
+    number. Internally, the value will be stored as decimal number. For
+    instance, the C++ integer literal `010` will be serialized to `8`.
+    During deserialization, leading zeros yield an error.
+  - Not-a-number (NaN) values will be serialized to `null`.
 
-    #### Limits
+  #### Limits
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) specifies:
-    > An implementation may set limits on the range and precision of numbers.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) specifies:
+  > An implementation may set limits on the range and precision of numbers.
 
-    When the default type is used, the maximal integer number that can be
-    stored is `9223372036854775807` (INT64_MAX) and the minimal integer number
-    that can be stored is `-9223372036854775808` (INT64_MIN). Integer numbers
-    that are out of range will yield over/underflow when used in a
-    constructor. During deserialization, too large or small integer numbers
-    will be automatically be stored as @ref number_unsigned_t or @ref
-    number_float_t.
+  When the default type is used, the maximal integer number that can be
+  stored is `9223372036854775807` (INT64_MAX) and the minimal integer number
+  that can be stored is `-9223372036854775808` (INT64_MIN). Integer numbers
+  that are out of range will yield over/underflow when used in a
+  constructor. During deserialization, too large or small integer numbers
+  will be automatically be stored as @ref number_unsigned_t or @ref
+  number_float_t.
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) further states:
-    > Note that when such software is used, numbers that are integers and are
-    > in the range \f$[-2^{53}+1, 2^{53}-1]\f$ are interoperable in the sense
-    > that implementations will agree exactly on their numeric values.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) further states:
+  > Note that when such software is used, numbers that are integers and are
+  > in the range \f$[-2^{53}+1, 2^{53}-1]\f$ are interoperable in the sense
+  > that implementations will agree exactly on their numeric values.
 
-    As this range is a subrange of the exactly supported range [INT64_MIN,
-    INT64_MAX], this class's integer type is interoperable.
+  As this range is a subrange of the exactly supported range [INT64_MIN,
+  INT64_MAX], this class's integer type is interoperable.
 
-    #### Storage
+  #### Storage
 
-    Integer number values are stored directly inside a @ref basic_json type.
+  Integer number values are stored directly inside a @ref basic_json type.
 
-    @sa @ref number_float_t -- type for number values (floating-point)
+  @sa @ref number_float_t -- type for number values (floating-point)
 
-    @sa @ref number_unsigned_t -- type for number values (unsigned integer)
+  @sa @ref number_unsigned_t -- type for number values (unsigned integer)
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    using number_integer_t = NumberIntegerType;
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  using number_integer_t = NumberIntegerType;
 
-    /*!
-    @brief a type for a number (unsigned)
+  /*!
+  @brief a type for a number (unsigned)
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes numbers as follows:
-    > The representation of numbers is similar to that used in most
-    > programming languages. A number is represented in base 10 using decimal
-    > digits. It contains an integer component that may be prefixed with an
-    > optional minus sign, which may be followed by a fraction part and/or an
-    > exponent part. Leading zeros are not allowed. (...) Numeric values that
-    > cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as Infinity and NaN)
-    > are not permitted.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes numbers as follows:
+  > The representation of numbers is similar to that used in most
+  > programming languages. A number is represented in base 10 using decimal
+  > digits. It contains an integer component that may be prefixed with an
+  > optional minus sign, which may be followed by a fraction part and/or an
+  > exponent part. Leading zeros are not allowed. (...) Numeric values that
+  > cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as Infinity and NaN)
+  > are not permitted.
 
-    This description includes both integer and floating-point numbers.
-    However, C++ allows more precise storage if it is known whether the number
-    is a signed integer, an unsigned integer or a floating-point number.
-    Therefore, three different types, @ref number_integer_t, @ref
-    number_unsigned_t and @ref number_float_t are used.
+  This description includes both integer and floating-point numbers.
+  However, C++ allows more precise storage if it is known whether the number
+  is a signed integer, an unsigned integer or a floating-point number.
+  Therefore, three different types, @ref number_integer_t, @ref
+  number_unsigned_t and @ref number_float_t are used.
 
-    To store unsigned integer numbers in C++, a type is defined by the
-    template parameter @a NumberUnsignedType which chooses the type to use.
+  To store unsigned integer numbers in C++, a type is defined by the
+  template parameter @a NumberUnsignedType which chooses the type to use.
 
-    #### Default type
+  #### Default type
 
-    With the default values for @a NumberUnsignedType (`uint64_t`), the
-    default value for @a number_unsigned_t is:
+  With the default values for @a NumberUnsignedType (`uint64_t`), the
+  default value for @a number_unsigned_t is:
 
-    @code {.cpp}
-    uint64_t
-    @endcode
+  @code {.cpp}
+  uint64_t
+  @endcode
 
-    #### Default behavior
+  #### Default behavior
 
-    - The restrictions about leading zeros is not enforced in C++. Instead,
-      leading zeros in integer literals lead to an interpretation as octal
-      number. Internally, the value will be stored as decimal number. For
-      instance, the C++ integer literal `010` will be serialized to `8`.
-      During deserialization, leading zeros yield an error.
-    - Not-a-number (NaN) values will be serialized to `null`.
+  - The restrictions about leading zeros is not enforced in C++. Instead,
+    leading zeros in integer literals lead to an interpretation as octal
+    number. Internally, the value will be stored as decimal number. For
+    instance, the C++ integer literal `010` will be serialized to `8`.
+    During deserialization, leading zeros yield an error.
+  - Not-a-number (NaN) values will be serialized to `null`.
 
-    #### Limits
+  #### Limits
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) specifies:
-    > An implementation may set limits on the range and precision of numbers.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) specifies:
+  > An implementation may set limits on the range and precision of numbers.
 
-    When the default type is used, the maximal integer number that can be
-    stored is `18446744073709551615` (UINT64_MAX) and the minimal integer
-    number that can be stored is `0`. Integer numbers that are out of range
-    will yield over/underflow when used in a constructor. During
-    deserialization, too large or small integer numbers will be automatically
-    be stored as @ref number_integer_t or @ref number_float_t.
+  When the default type is used, the maximal integer number that can be
+  stored is `18446744073709551615` (UINT64_MAX) and the minimal integer
+  number that can be stored is `0`. Integer numbers that are out of range
+  will yield over/underflow when used in a constructor. During
+  deserialization, too large or small integer numbers will be automatically
+  be stored as @ref number_integer_t or @ref number_float_t.
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) further states:
-    > Note that when such software is used, numbers that are integers and are
-    > in the range \f$[-2^{53}+1, 2^{53}-1]\f$ are interoperable in the sense
-    > that implementations will agree exactly on their numeric values.
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) further states:
+  > Note that when such software is used, numbers that are integers and are
+  > in the range \f$[-2^{53}+1, 2^{53}-1]\f$ are interoperable in the sense
+  > that implementations will agree exactly on their numeric values.
 
-    As this range is a subrange (when considered in conjunction with the
-    number_integer_t type) of the exactly supported range [0, UINT64_MAX],
-    this class's integer type is interoperable.
+  As this range is a subrange (when considered in conjunction with the
+  number_integer_t type) of the exactly supported range [0, UINT64_MAX],
+  this class's integer type is interoperable.
 
-    #### Storage
+  #### Storage
 
-    Integer number values are stored directly inside a @ref basic_json type.
+  Integer number values are stored directly inside a @ref basic_json type.
 
-    @sa @ref number_float_t -- type for number values (floating-point)
-    @sa @ref number_integer_t -- type for number values (integer)
+  @sa @ref number_float_t -- type for number values (floating-point)
+  @sa @ref number_integer_t -- type for number values (integer)
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    using number_unsigned_t = NumberUnsignedType;
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  using number_unsigned_t = NumberUnsignedType;
 
-    /*!
-    @brief a type for a number (floating-point)
+  /*!
+  @brief a type for a number (floating-point)
+
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes numbers as follows:
+  > The representation of numbers is similar to that used in most
+  > programming languages. A number is represented in base 10 using decimal
+  > digits. It contains an integer component that may be prefixed with an
+  > optional minus sign, which may be followed by a fraction part and/or an
+  > exponent part. Leading zeros are not allowed. (...) Numeric values that
+  > cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as Infinity and NaN)
+  > are not permitted.
+
+  This description includes both integer and floating-point numbers.
+  However, C++ allows more precise storage if it is known whether the number
+  is a signed integer, an unsigned integer or a floating-point number.
+  Therefore, three different types, @ref number_integer_t, @ref
+  number_unsigned_t and @ref number_float_t are used.
+
+  To store floating-point numbers in C++, a type is defined by the template
+  parameter @a NumberFloatType which chooses the type to use.
+
+  #### Default type
+
+  With the default values for @a NumberFloatType (`double`), the default
+  value for @a number_float_t is:
+
+  @code {.cpp}
+  double
+  @endcode
+
+  #### Default behavior
+
+  - The restrictions about leading zeros is not enforced in C++. Instead,
+    leading zeros in floating-point literals will be ignored. Internally,
+    the value will be stored as decimal number. For instance, the C++
+    floating-point literal `01.2` will be serialized to `1.2`. During
+    deserialization, leading zeros yield an error.
+  - Not-a-number (NaN) values will be serialized to `null`.
+
+  #### Limits
+
+  [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) states:
+  > This specification allows implementations to set limits on the range and
+  > precision of numbers accepted. Since software that implements IEEE
+  > 754-2008 binary64 (double precision) numbers is generally available and
+  > widely used, good interoperability can be achieved by implementations
+  > that expect no more precision or range than these provide, in the sense
+  > that implementations will approximate JSON numbers within the expected
+  > precision.
+
+  This implementation does exactly follow this approach, as it uses double
+  precision floating-point numbers. Note values smaller than
+  `-1.79769313486232e+308` and values greater than `1.79769313486232e+308`
+  will be stored as NaN internally and be serialized to `null`.
+
+  #### Storage
+
+  Floating-point number values are stored directly inside a @ref basic_json
+  type.
+
+  @sa @ref number_integer_t -- type for number values (integer)
+
+  @sa @ref number_unsigned_t -- type for number values (unsigned integer)
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  using number_float_t = NumberFloatType;
+
+  /// @}
+
+  ///////////////////////////
+  // JSON type enumeration //
+  ///////////////////////////
+
+  /*!
+  @brief the JSON type enumeration
+
+  This enumeration collects the different JSON types. It is internally used
+  to distinguish the stored values, and the functions @ref is_null(), @ref
+  is_object(), @ref is_array(), @ref is_string(), @ref is_boolean(), @ref
+  is_number() (with @ref is_number_integer(), @ref is_number_unsigned(), and
+  @ref is_number_float()), @ref is_discarded(), @ref is_primitive(), and
+  @ref is_structured() rely on it.
+
+  @note There are three enumeration entries (number_integer,
+  number_unsigned, and number_float), because the library distinguishes
+  these three types for numbers: @ref number_unsigned_t is used for unsigned
+  integers, @ref number_integer_t is used for signed integers, and @ref
+  number_float_t is used for floating-point numbers or to approximate
+  integers which do not fit in the limits of their respective type.
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const value_t value_type) -- create a JSON value with
+  the default value for a given type
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  enum class value_t : uint8_t
+  {
+    null,            ///< null value
+    object,          ///< object (unordered set of name/value pairs)
+    array,           ///< array (ordered collection of values)
+    string,          ///< string value
+    boolean,         ///< boolean value
+    number_integer,  ///< number value (signed integer)
+    number_unsigned, ///< number value (unsigned integer)
+    number_float,    ///< number value (floating-point)
+    discarded        ///< discarded by the the parser callback function
+  };
+
+private:
+  /// helper for exception-safe object creation
+  template <typename T, typename... Args> static T *create(Args &&... args)
+  {
+    AllocatorType<T> alloc;
+    auto deleter = [&](T *object) { alloc.deallocate(object, 1); };
+    std::unique_ptr<T, decltype(deleter)> object(alloc.allocate(1), deleter);
+    alloc.construct(object.get(), std::forward<Args>(args)...);
+    assert(object != nullptr);
+    return object.release();
+  }
+
+  ////////////////////////
+  // JSON value storage //
+  ////////////////////////
+
+  /*!
+  @brief a JSON value
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) describes numbers as follows:
-    > The representation of numbers is similar to that used in most
-    > programming languages. A number is represented in base 10 using decimal
-    > digits. It contains an integer component that may be prefixed with an
-    > optional minus sign, which may be followed by a fraction part and/or an
-    > exponent part. Leading zeros are not allowed. (...) Numeric values that
-    > cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as Infinity and NaN)
-    > are not permitted.
+  The actual storage for a JSON value of the @ref basic_json class. This
+  union combines the different storage types for the JSON value types
+  defined in @ref value_t.
 
-    This description includes both integer and floating-point numbers.
-    However, C++ allows more precise storage if it is known whether the number
-    is a signed integer, an unsigned integer or a floating-point number.
-    Therefore, three different types, @ref number_integer_t, @ref
-    number_unsigned_t and @ref number_float_t are used.
+  JSON type | value_t type    | used type
+  --------- | --------------- | ------------------------
+  object    | object          | pointer to @ref object_t
+  array     | array           | pointer to @ref array_t
+  string    | string          | pointer to @ref string_t
+  boolean   | boolean         | @ref boolean_t
+  number    | number_integer  | @ref number_integer_t
+  number    | number_unsigned | @ref number_unsigned_t
+  number    | number_float    | @ref number_float_t
+  null      | null            | *no value is stored*
 
-    To store floating-point numbers in C++, a type is defined by the template
-    parameter @a NumberFloatType which chooses the type to use.
+  @note Variable-length types (objects, arrays, and strings) are stored as
+  pointers. The size of the union should not exceed 64 bits if the default
+  value types are used.
 
-    #### Default type
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  union json_value {
+    /// object (stored with pointer to save storage)
+    object_t *object;
+    /// array (stored with pointer to save storage)
+    array_t *array;
+    /// string (stored with pointer to save storage)
+    string_t *string;
+    /// boolean
+    boolean_t boolean;
+    /// number (integer)
+    number_integer_t number_integer;
+    /// number (unsigned integer)
+    number_unsigned_t number_unsigned;
+    /// number (floating-point)
+    number_float_t number_float;
+
+    /// default constructor (for null values)
+    json_value() = default;
+    /// constructor for booleans
+    json_value(boolean_t v) noexcept : boolean(v) {}
+    /// constructor for numbers (integer)
+    json_value(number_integer_t v) noexcept : number_integer(v) {}
+    /// constructor for numbers (unsigned)
+    json_value(number_unsigned_t v) noexcept : number_unsigned(v) {}
+    /// constructor for numbers (floating-point)
+    json_value(number_float_t v) noexcept : number_float(v) {}
+    /// constructor for empty values of a given type
+    json_value(value_t t)
+    {
+      switch (t)
+      {
+        case value_t::object:
+        {
+          object = create<object_t>();
+          break;
+        }
+
+        case value_t::array:
+        {
+          array = create<array_t>();
+          break;
+        }
+
+        case value_t::string:
+        {
+          string = create<string_t>("");
+          break;
+        }
+
+        case value_t::boolean:
+        {
+          boolean = boolean_t(false);
+          break;
+        }
+
+        case value_t::number_integer:
+        {
+          number_integer = number_integer_t(0);
+          break;
+        }
+
+        case value_t::number_unsigned:
+        {
+          number_unsigned = number_unsigned_t(0);
+          break;
+        }
 
-    With the default values for @a NumberFloatType (`double`), the default
-    value for @a number_float_t is:
+        case value_t::number_float:
+        {
+          number_float = number_float_t(0.0);
+          break;
+        }
 
-    @code {.cpp}
-    double
-    @endcode
+        case value_t::null:
+        {
+          break;
+        }
 
-    #### Default behavior
+        default:
+        {
+          if (t == value_t::null)
+          {
+            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("961c151d2e87f2686a955a9be24d316f1362b"
+                                         "f21 2.0.10")); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    }
 
-    - The restrictions about leading zeros is not enforced in C++. Instead,
-      leading zeros in floating-point literals will be ignored. Internally,
-      the value will be stored as decimal number. For instance, the C++
-      floating-point literal `01.2` will be serialized to `1.2`. During
-      deserialization, leading zeros yield an error.
-    - Not-a-number (NaN) values will be serialized to `null`.
+    /// constructor for strings
+    json_value(const string_t &value) { string = create<string_t>(value); }
 
-    #### Limits
+    /// constructor for objects
+    json_value(const object_t &value) { object = create<object_t>(value); }
 
-    [RFC 7159](http://rfc7159.net/rfc7159) states:
-    > This specification allows implementations to set limits on the range and
-    > precision of numbers accepted. Since software that implements IEEE
-    > 754-2008 binary64 (double precision) numbers is generally available and
-    > widely used, good interoperability can be achieved by implementations
-    > that expect no more precision or range than these provide, in the sense
-    > that implementations will approximate JSON numbers within the expected
-    > precision.
+    /// constructor for arrays
+    json_value(const array_t &value) { array = create<array_t>(value); }
+  };
 
-    This implementation does exactly follow this approach, as it uses double
-    precision floating-point numbers. Note values smaller than
-    `-1.79769313486232e+308` and values greater than `1.79769313486232e+308`
-    will be stored as NaN internally and be serialized to `null`.
+  /*!
+  @brief checks the class invariants
 
-    #### Storage
+  This function asserts the class invariants. It needs to be called at the
+  end of every constructor to make sure that created objects respect the
+  invariant. Furthermore, it has to be called each time the type of a JSON
+  value is changed, because the invariant expresses a relationship between
+  @a m_type and @a m_value.
+  */
+  void assert_invariant() const
+  {
+    assert(m_type != value_t::object or m_value.object != nullptr);
+    assert(m_type != value_t::array or m_value.array != nullptr);
+    assert(m_type != value_t::string or m_value.string != nullptr);
+  }
 
-    Floating-point number values are stored directly inside a @ref basic_json
-    type.
+public:
+  //////////////////////////
+  // JSON parser callback //
+  //////////////////////////
 
-    @sa @ref number_integer_t -- type for number values (integer)
+  /*!
+  @brief JSON callback events
 
-    @sa @ref number_unsigned_t -- type for number values (unsigned integer)
+  This enumeration lists the parser events that can trigger calling a
+  callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t during parsing.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    using number_float_t = NumberFloatType;
+  @image html callback_events.png "Example when certain parse events are
+  triggered"
 
-    /// @}
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  enum class parse_event_t : uint8_t
+  {
+    /// the parser read `{` and started to process a JSON object
+    object_start,
+    /// the parser read `}` and finished processing a JSON object
+    object_end,
+    /// the parser read `[` and started to process a JSON array
+    array_start,
+    /// the parser read `]` and finished processing a JSON array
+    array_end,
+    /// the parser read a key of a value in an object
+    key,
+    /// the parser finished reading a JSON value
+    value
+  };
+
+  /*!
+  @brief per-element parser callback type
+
+  With a parser callback function, the result of parsing a JSON text can be
+  influenced. When passed to @ref parse(std::istream&, const
+  parser_callback_t) or @ref parse(const CharT, const parser_callback_t),
+  it is called on certain events (passed as @ref parse_event_t via parameter
+  @a event) with a set recursion depth @a depth and context JSON value
+  @a parsed. The return value of the callback function is a boolean
+  indicating whether the element that emitted the callback shall be kept or
+  not.
+
+  We distinguish six scenarios (determined by the event type) in which the
+  callback function can be called. The following table describes the values
+  of the parameters @a depth, @a event, and @a parsed.
+
+  parameter @a event | description | parameter @a depth | parameter @a parsed
+  ------------------ | ----------- | ------------------ | -------------------
+  parse_event_t::object_start | the parser read `{` and started to process a
+  JSON object | depth of the parent of the JSON object | a JSON value with type
+  discarded
+  parse_event_t::key | the parser read a key of a value in an object | depth of
+  the currently parsed JSON object | a JSON string containing the key
+  parse_event_t::object_end | the parser read `}` and finished processing a JSON
+  object | depth of the parent of the JSON object | the parsed JSON object
+  parse_event_t::array_start | the parser read `[` and started to process a JSON
+  array | depth of the parent of the JSON array | a JSON value with type
+  discarded
+  parse_event_t::array_end | the parser read `]` and finished processing a JSON
+  array | depth of the parent of the JSON array | the parsed JSON array
+  parse_event_t::value | the parser finished reading a JSON value | depth of the
+  value | the parsed JSON value
+
+  @image html callback_events.png "Example when certain parse events are
+  triggered"
+
+  Discarding a value (i.e., returning `false`) has different effects
+  depending on the context in which function was called:
+
+  - Discarded values in structured types are skipped. That is, the parser
+    will behave as if the discarded value was never read.
+  - In case a value outside a structured type is skipped, it is replaced
+    with `null`. This case happens if the top-level element is skipped.
+
+  @param[in] depth  the depth of the recursion during parsing
+
+  @param[in] event  an event of type parse_event_t indicating the context in
+  the callback function has been called
+
+  @param[in,out] parsed  the current intermediate parse result; note that
+  writing to this value has no effect for parse_event_t::key events
+
+  @return Whether the JSON value which called the function during parsing
+  should be kept (`true`) or not (`false`). In the latter case, it is either
+  skipped completely or replaced by an empty discarded object.
+
+  @sa @ref parse(std::istream&, parser_callback_t) or
+  @ref parse(const CharT, const parser_callback_t) for examples
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  using parser_callback_t =
+      std::function<bool(int depth, parse_event_t event, basic_json &parsed)>;
+
+  //////////////////
+  // constructors //
+  //////////////////
+
+  /// @name constructors and destructors
+  /// Constructors of class @ref basic_json, copy/move constructor, copy
+  /// assignment, static functions creating objects, and the destructor.
+  /// @{
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create an empty value with a given type
+
+  Create an empty JSON value with a given type. The value will be default
+  initialized with an empty value which depends on the type:
+
+  Value type  | initial value
+  ----------- | -------------
+  null        | `null`
+  boolean     | `false`
+  string      | `""`
+  number      | `0`
+  object      | `{}`
+  array       | `[]`
 
+  @param[in] value_type  the type of the value to create
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object, array, or string value
+  fails
+
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor for different @ref
+  value_t values,basic_json__value_t}
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(std::nullptr_t) -- create a `null` value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(boolean_t value) -- create a boolean value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const string_t&) -- create a string value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const object_t&) -- create a object value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const array_t&) -- create a array value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const number_float_t) -- create a number
+  (floating-point) value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const number_integer_t) -- create a number (integer)
+  value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const number_unsigned_t) -- create a number (unsigned)
+  value
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(const value_t value_type) : m_type(value_type), m_value(value_type)
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create a null object
+
+  Create a `null` JSON value. It either takes a null pointer as parameter
+  (explicitly creating `null`) or no parameter (implicitly creating `null`).
+  The passed null pointer itself is not read -- it is only used to choose
+  the right constructor.
 
-    ///////////////////////////
-    // JSON type enumeration //
-    ///////////////////////////
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief the JSON type enumeration
-
-    This enumeration collects the different JSON types. It is internally used
-    to distinguish the stored values, and the functions @ref is_null(), @ref
-    is_object(), @ref is_array(), @ref is_string(), @ref is_boolean(), @ref
-    is_number() (with @ref is_number_integer(), @ref is_number_unsigned(), and
-    @ref is_number_float()), @ref is_discarded(), @ref is_primitive(), and
-    @ref is_structured() rely on it.
-
-    @note There are three enumeration entries (number_integer,
-    number_unsigned, and number_float), because the library distinguishes
-    these three types for numbers: @ref number_unsigned_t is used for unsigned
-    integers, @ref number_integer_t is used for signed integers, and @ref
-    number_float_t is used for floating-point numbers or to approximate
-    integers which do not fit in the limits of their respective type.
-
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const value_t value_type) -- create a JSON value with
-    the default value for a given type
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    enum class value_t : uint8_t
-    {
-        null,            ///< null value
-        object,          ///< object (unordered set of name/value pairs)
-        array,           ///< array (ordered collection of values)
-        string,          ///< string value
-        boolean,         ///< boolean value
-        number_integer,  ///< number value (signed integer)
-        number_unsigned, ///< number value (unsigned integer)
-        number_float,    ///< number value (floating-point)
-        discarded        ///< discarded by the the parser callback function
-    };
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this constructor never throws
+  exceptions.
 
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with and without a
+  null pointer parameter.,basic_json__nullptr_t}
 
-  private:
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(std::nullptr_t = nullptr) noexcept : basic_json(value_t::null)
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    /// helper for exception-safe object creation
-    template<typename T, typename... Args>
-    static T* create(Args&& ... args)
-    {
-        AllocatorType<T> alloc;
-        auto deleter = [&](T * object)
-        {
-            alloc.deallocate(object, 1);
-        };
-        std::unique_ptr<T, decltype(deleter)> object(alloc.allocate(1), deleter);
-        alloc.construct(object.get(), std::forward<Args>(args)...);
-        assert(object != nullptr);
-        return object.release();
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief create an object (explicit)
 
-    ////////////////////////
-    // JSON value storage //
-    ////////////////////////
+  Create an object JSON value with a given content.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief a JSON value
-
-    The actual storage for a JSON value of the @ref basic_json class. This
-    union combines the different storage types for the JSON value types
-    defined in @ref value_t.
-
-    JSON type | value_t type    | used type
-    --------- | --------------- | ------------------------
-    object    | object          | pointer to @ref object_t
-    array     | array           | pointer to @ref array_t
-    string    | string          | pointer to @ref string_t
-    boolean   | boolean         | @ref boolean_t
-    number    | number_integer  | @ref number_integer_t
-    number    | number_unsigned | @ref number_unsigned_t
-    number    | number_float    | @ref number_float_t
-    null      | null            | *no value is stored*
-
-    @note Variable-length types (objects, arrays, and strings) are stored as
-    pointers. The size of the union should not exceed 64 bits if the default
-    value types are used.
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    union json_value
-    {
-        /// object (stored with pointer to save storage)
-        object_t* object;
-        /// array (stored with pointer to save storage)
-        array_t* array;
-        /// string (stored with pointer to save storage)
-        string_t* string;
-        /// boolean
-        boolean_t boolean;
-        /// number (integer)
-        number_integer_t number_integer;
-        /// number (unsigned integer)
-        number_unsigned_t number_unsigned;
-        /// number (floating-point)
-        number_float_t number_float;
-
-        /// default constructor (for null values)
-        json_value() = default;
-        /// constructor for booleans
-        json_value(boolean_t v) noexcept : boolean(v) {}
-        /// constructor for numbers (integer)
-        json_value(number_integer_t v) noexcept : number_integer(v) {}
-        /// constructor for numbers (unsigned)
-        json_value(number_unsigned_t v) noexcept : number_unsigned(v) {}
-        /// constructor for numbers (floating-point)
-        json_value(number_float_t v) noexcept : number_float(v) {}
-        /// constructor for empty values of a given type
-        json_value(value_t t)
-        {
-            switch (t)
-            {
-                case value_t::object:
-                {
-                    object = create<object_t>();
-                    break;
-                }
+  @param[in] val  a value for the object
 
-                case value_t::array:
-                {
-                    array = create<array_t>();
-                    break;
-                }
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
 
-                case value_t::string:
-                {
-                    string = create<string_t>("");
-                    break;
-                }
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object value fails
 
-                case value_t::boolean:
-                {
-                    boolean = boolean_t(false);
-                    break;
-                }
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with an @ref
+  object_t parameter.,basic_json__object_t}
 
-                case value_t::number_integer:
-                {
-                    number_integer = number_integer_t(0);
-                    break;
-                }
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleObjectType&) -- create an object value
+  from a compatible STL container
 
-                case value_t::number_unsigned:
-                {
-                    number_unsigned = number_unsigned_t(0);
-                    break;
-                }
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(const object_t &val) : m_type(value_t::object), m_value(val)
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-                case value_t::number_float:
-                {
-                    number_float = number_float_t(0.0);
-                    break;
-                }
+  /*!
+  @brief create an object (implicit)
 
-                case value_t::null:
-                {
-                    break;
-                }
+  Create an object JSON value with a given content. This constructor allows
+  any type @a CompatibleObjectType that can be used to construct values of
+  type @ref object_t.
+
+  @tparam CompatibleObjectType An object type whose `key_type` and
+  `value_type` is compatible to @ref object_t. Examples include `std::map`,
+  `std::unordered_map`, `std::multimap`, and `std::unordered_multimap` with
+  a `key_type` of `std::string`, and a `value_type` from which a @ref
+  basic_json value can be constructed.
+
+  @param[in] val  a value for the object
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
+
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object value fails
+
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with several
+  compatible object type parameters.,basic_json__CompatibleObjectType}
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const object_t&) -- create an object value
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <class CompatibleObjectType,
+            typename std::enable_if<
+                std::is_constructible<
+                    typename object_t::key_type,
+                    typename CompatibleObjectType::key_type>::value and
+                    std::is_constructible<
+                        basic_json,
+                        typename CompatibleObjectType::mapped_type>::value,
+                int>::type = 0>
+  basic_json(const CompatibleObjectType &val) : m_type(value_t::object)
+  {
+    using std::begin;
+    using std::end;
+    m_value.object = create<object_t>(begin(val), end(val));
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create an array (explicit)
+
+  Create an array JSON value with a given content.
+
+  @param[in] val  a value for the array
 
-                default:
-                {
-                    if (t == value_t::null)
-                    {
-                        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("961c151d2e87f2686a955a9be24d316f1362bf21 2.0.10")); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
 
-        /// constructor for strings
-        json_value(const string_t& value)
-        {
-            string = create<string_t>(value);
-        }
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for array value fails
 
-        /// constructor for objects
-        json_value(const object_t& value)
-        {
-            object = create<object_t>(value);
-        }
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with an @ref array_t
+  parameter.,basic_json__array_t}
 
-        /// constructor for arrays
-        json_value(const array_t& value)
-        {
-            array = create<array_t>(value);
-        }
-    };
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleArrayType&) -- create an array value
+  from a compatible STL containers
 
-    /*!
-    @brief checks the class invariants
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(const array_t &val) : m_type(value_t::array), m_value(val)
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    This function asserts the class invariants. It needs to be called at the
-    end of every constructor to make sure that created objects respect the
-    invariant. Furthermore, it has to be called each time the type of a JSON
-    value is changed, because the invariant expresses a relationship between
-    @a m_type and @a m_value.
-    */
-    void assert_invariant() const
-    {
-        assert(m_type != value_t::object or m_value.object != nullptr);
-        assert(m_type != value_t::array or m_value.array != nullptr);
-        assert(m_type != value_t::string or m_value.string != nullptr);
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief create an array (implicit)
 
-  public:
-    //////////////////////////
-    // JSON parser callback //
-    //////////////////////////
+  Create an array JSON value with a given content. This constructor allows
+  any type @a CompatibleArrayType that can be used to construct values of
+  type @ref array_t.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief JSON callback events
+  @tparam CompatibleArrayType An object type whose `value_type` is
+  compatible to @ref array_t. Examples include `std::vector`, `std::deque`,
+  `std::list`, `std::forward_list`, `std::array`, `std::set`,
+  `std::unordered_set`, `std::multiset`, and `unordered_multiset` with a
+  `value_type` from which a @ref basic_json value can be constructed.
 
-    This enumeration lists the parser events that can trigger calling a
-    callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t during parsing.
+  @param[in] val  a value for the array
 
-    @image html callback_events.png "Example when certain parse events are triggered"
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    enum class parse_event_t : uint8_t
-    {
-        /// the parser read `{` and started to process a JSON object
-        object_start,
-        /// the parser read `}` and finished processing a JSON object
-        object_end,
-        /// the parser read `[` and started to process a JSON array
-        array_start,
-        /// the parser read `]` and finished processing a JSON array
-        array_end,
-        /// the parser read a key of a value in an object
-        key,
-        /// the parser finished reading a JSON value
-        value
-    };
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for array value fails
 
-    /*!
-    @brief per-element parser callback type
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with several
+  compatible array type parameters.,basic_json__CompatibleArrayType}
 
-    With a parser callback function, the result of parsing a JSON text can be
-    influenced. When passed to @ref parse(std::istream&, const
-    parser_callback_t) or @ref parse(const CharT, const parser_callback_t),
-    it is called on certain events (passed as @ref parse_event_t via parameter
-    @a event) with a set recursion depth @a depth and context JSON value
-    @a parsed. The return value of the callback function is a boolean
-    indicating whether the element that emitted the callback shall be kept or
-    not.
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const array_t&) -- create an array value
 
-    We distinguish six scenarios (determined by the event type) in which the
-    callback function can be called. The following table describes the values
-    of the parameters @a depth, @a event, and @a parsed.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <
+      class CompatibleArrayType,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType,
+                           typename basic_json_t::iterator>::value and
+              not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType,
+                               typename basic_json_t::const_iterator>::value and
+              not std::is_same<
+                  CompatibleArrayType,
+                  typename basic_json_t::reverse_iterator>::value and
+              not std::is_same<
+                  CompatibleArrayType,
+                  typename basic_json_t::const_reverse_iterator>::value and
+              not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType,
+                               typename array_t::iterator>::value and
+              not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType,
+                               typename array_t::const_iterator>::value and
+              std::is_constructible<
+                  basic_json, typename CompatibleArrayType::value_type>::value,
+          int>::type = 0>
+  basic_json(const CompatibleArrayType &val) : m_type(value_t::array)
+  {
+    using std::begin;
+    using std::end;
+    m_value.array = create<array_t>(begin(val), end(val));
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    parameter @a event | description | parameter @a depth | parameter @a parsed
-    ------------------ | ----------- | ------------------ | -------------------
-    parse_event_t::object_start | the parser read `{` and started to process a JSON object | depth of the parent of the JSON object | a JSON value with type discarded
-    parse_event_t::key | the parser read a key of a value in an object | depth of the currently parsed JSON object | a JSON string containing the key
-    parse_event_t::object_end | the parser read `}` and finished processing a JSON object | depth of the parent of the JSON object | the parsed JSON object
-    parse_event_t::array_start | the parser read `[` and started to process a JSON array | depth of the parent of the JSON array | a JSON value with type discarded
-    parse_event_t::array_end | the parser read `]` and finished processing a JSON array | depth of the parent of the JSON array | the parsed JSON array
-    parse_event_t::value | the parser finished reading a JSON value | depth of the value | the parsed JSON value
+  /*!
+  @brief create a string (explicit)
 
-    @image html callback_events.png "Example when certain parse events are triggered"
+  Create an string JSON value with a given content.
+
+  @param[in] val  a value for the string
 
-    Discarding a value (i.e., returning `false`) has different effects
-    depending on the context in which function was called:
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
 
-    - Discarded values in structured types are skipped. That is, the parser
-      will behave as if the discarded value was never read.
-    - In case a value outside a structured type is skipped, it is replaced
-      with `null`. This case happens if the top-level element is skipped.
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for string value fails
 
-    @param[in] depth  the depth of the recursion during parsing
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with an @ref
+  string_t parameter.,basic_json__string_t}
 
-    @param[in] event  an event of type parse_event_t indicating the context in
-    the callback function has been called
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const typename string_t::value_type*) -- create a
+  string value from a character pointer
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleStringType&) -- create a string value
+  from a compatible string container
 
-    @param[in,out] parsed  the current intermediate parse result; note that
-    writing to this value has no effect for parse_event_t::key events
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(const string_t &val) : m_type(value_t::string), m_value(val)
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    @return Whether the JSON value which called the function during parsing
-    should be kept (`true`) or not (`false`). In the latter case, it is either
-    skipped completely or replaced by an empty discarded object.
+  /*!
+  @brief create a string (explicit)
 
-    @sa @ref parse(std::istream&, parser_callback_t) or
-    @ref parse(const CharT, const parser_callback_t) for examples
+  Create a string JSON value with a given content.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    using parser_callback_t = std::function<bool(int depth,
-                              parse_event_t event,
-                              basic_json& parsed)>;
+  @param[in] val  a literal value for the string
 
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
 
-    //////////////////
-    // constructors //
-    //////////////////
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for string value fails
 
-    /// @name constructors and destructors
-    /// Constructors of class @ref basic_json, copy/move constructor, copy
-    /// assignment, static functions creating objects, and the destructor.
-    /// @{
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with string literal
+  parameter.,basic_json__string_t_value_type}
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an empty value with a given type
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const string_t&) -- create a string value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleStringType&) -- create a string value
+  from a compatible string container
 
-    Create an empty JSON value with a given type. The value will be default
-    initialized with an empty value which depends on the type:
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(const typename string_t::value_type *val)
+      : basic_json(string_t(val))
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    Value type  | initial value
-    ----------- | -------------
-    null        | `null`
-    boolean     | `false`
-    string      | `""`
-    number      | `0`
-    object      | `{}`
-    array       | `[]`
+  /*!
+  @brief create a string (implicit)
 
-    @param[in] value_type  the type of the value to create
+  Create a string JSON value with a given content.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @param[in] val  a value for the string
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object, array, or string value
-    fails
+  @tparam CompatibleStringType an string type which is compatible to @ref
+  string_t, for instance `std::string`.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor for different @ref
-    value_t values,basic_json__value_t}
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(std::nullptr_t) -- create a `null` value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(boolean_t value) -- create a boolean value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const string_t&) -- create a string value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const object_t&) -- create a object value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const array_t&) -- create a array value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const number_float_t) -- create a number
-    (floating-point) value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const number_integer_t) -- create a number (integer)
-    value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const number_unsigned_t) -- create a number (unsigned)
-    value
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for string value fails
+
+  @liveexample{The following code shows the construction of a string value
+  from a compatible type.,basic_json__CompatibleStringType}
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const string_t&) -- create a string value
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const typename string_t::value_type*) -- create a
+  string value from a character pointer
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <class CompatibleStringType,
+            typename std::enable_if<
+                std::is_constructible<string_t, CompatibleStringType>::value,
+                int>::type = 0>
+  basic_json(const CompatibleStringType &val) : basic_json(string_t(val))
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(const value_t value_type)
-        : m_type(value_type), m_value(value_type)
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief create a boolean (explicit)
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create a null object
+  Creates a JSON boolean type from a given value.
 
-    Create a `null` JSON value. It either takes a null pointer as parameter
-    (explicitly creating `null`) or no parameter (implicitly creating `null`).
-    The passed null pointer itself is not read -- it is only used to choose
-    the right constructor.
+  @param[in] val  a boolean value to store
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this constructor never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @liveexample{The example below demonstrates boolean
+  values.,basic_json__boolean_t}
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with and without a
-    null pointer parameter.,basic_json__nullptr_t}
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(boolean_t val) noexcept : m_type(value_t::boolean), m_value(val)
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(std::nullptr_t = nullptr) noexcept
-        : basic_json(value_t::null)
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief create an integer number (explicit)
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an object (explicit)
+  Create an integer number JSON value with a given content.
 
-    Create an object JSON value with a given content.
+  @tparam T A helper type to remove this function via SFINAE in case @ref
+  number_integer_t is the same as `int`. In this case, this constructor
+  would have the same signature as @ref basic_json(const int value). Note
+  the helper type @a T is not visible in this constructor's interface.
 
-    @param[in] val  a value for the object
+  @param[in] val  an integer to create a JSON number from
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object value fails
+  @liveexample{The example below shows the construction of an integer
+  number value.,basic_json__number_integer_t}
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with an @ref
-    object_t parameter.,basic_json__object_t}
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const int) -- create a number value (integer)
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleNumberIntegerType) -- create a number
+  value (integer) from a compatible number type
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleObjectType&) -- create an object value
-    from a compatible STL container
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename T, typename std::enable_if<
+                            not(std::is_same<T, int>::value) and
+                                std::is_same<T, number_integer_t>::value,
+                            int>::type = 0>
+  basic_json(const number_integer_t val) noexcept
+      : m_type(value_t::number_integer),
+        m_value(val)
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(const object_t& val)
-        : m_type(value_t::object), m_value(val)
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief create an integer number from an enum type (explicit)
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an object (implicit)
+  Create an integer number JSON value with a given content.
+
+  @param[in] val  an integer to create a JSON number from
 
-    Create an object JSON value with a given content. This constructor allows
-    any type @a CompatibleObjectType that can be used to construct values of
-    type @ref object_t.
+  @note This constructor allows to pass enums directly to a constructor. As
+  C++ has no way of specifying the type of an anonymous enum explicitly, we
+  can only rely on the fact that such values implicitly convert to int. As
+  int may already be the same type of number_integer_t, we may need to
+  switch off the constructor @ref basic_json(const number_integer_t).
 
-    @tparam CompatibleObjectType An object type whose `key_type` and
-    `value_type` is compatible to @ref object_t. Examples include `std::map`,
-    `std::unordered_map`, `std::multimap`, and `std::unordered_multimap` with
-    a `key_type` of `std::string`, and a `value_type` from which a @ref
-    basic_json value can be constructed.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @param[in] val  a value for the object
+  @liveexample{The example below shows the construction of an integer
+  number value from an anonymous enum.,basic_json__const_int}
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const number_integer_t) -- create a number value
+  (integer)
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleNumberIntegerType) -- create a number
+  value (integer) from a compatible number type
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(const int val) noexcept
+      : m_type(value_t::number_integer),
+        m_value(static_cast<number_integer_t>(val))
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create an integer number (implicit)
+
+  Create an integer number JSON value with a given content. This constructor
+  allows any type @a CompatibleNumberIntegerType that can be used to
+  construct values of type @ref number_integer_t.
+
+  @tparam CompatibleNumberIntegerType An integer type which is compatible to
+  @ref number_integer_t. Examples include the types `int`, `int32_t`,
+  `long`, and `short`.
+
+  @param[in] val  an integer to create a JSON number from
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows the construction of several integer
+  number values from compatible
+  types.,basic_json__CompatibleIntegerNumberType}
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const number_integer_t) -- create a number value
+  (integer)
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const int) -- create a number value (integer)
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <
+      typename CompatibleNumberIntegerType,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          std::is_constructible<number_integer_t,
+                                CompatibleNumberIntegerType>::value and
+              std::numeric_limits<CompatibleNumberIntegerType>::is_integer and
+              std::numeric_limits<CompatibleNumberIntegerType>::is_signed,
+          CompatibleNumberIntegerType>::type = 0>
+  basic_json(const CompatibleNumberIntegerType val) noexcept
+      : m_type(value_t::number_integer),
+        m_value(static_cast<number_integer_t>(val))
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create an unsigned integer number (explicit)
+
+  Create an unsigned integer number JSON value with a given content.
+
+  @tparam T  helper type to compare number_unsigned_t and unsigned int (not
+  visible in) the interface.
+
+  @param[in] val  an integer to create a JSON number from
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleNumberUnsignedType) -- create a number
+  value (unsigned integer) from a compatible number type
+
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename T, typename std::enable_if<
+                            not(std::is_same<T, int>::value) and
+                                std::is_same<T, number_unsigned_t>::value,
+                            int>::type = 0>
+  basic_json(const number_unsigned_t val) noexcept
+      : m_type(value_t::number_unsigned),
+        m_value(val)
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create an unsigned number (implicit)
+
+  Create an unsigned number JSON value with a given content. This
+  constructor allows any type @a CompatibleNumberUnsignedType that can be
+  used to construct values of type @ref number_unsigned_t.
+
+  @tparam CompatibleNumberUnsignedType An integer type which is compatible
+  to @ref number_unsigned_t. Examples may include the types `unsigned int`,
+  `uint32_t`, or `unsigned short`.
+
+  @param[in] val  an unsigned integer to create a JSON number from
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const number_unsigned_t) -- create a number value
+  (unsigned)
+
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  template <
+      typename CompatibleNumberUnsignedType,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          std::is_constructible<number_unsigned_t,
+                                CompatibleNumberUnsignedType>::value and
+              std::numeric_limits<CompatibleNumberUnsignedType>::is_integer and
+              not std::numeric_limits<CompatibleNumberUnsignedType>::is_signed,
+          CompatibleNumberUnsignedType>::type = 0>
+  basic_json(const CompatibleNumberUnsignedType val) noexcept
+      : m_type(value_t::number_unsigned),
+        m_value(static_cast<number_unsigned_t>(val))
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create a floating-point number (explicit)
+
+  Create a floating-point number JSON value with a given content.
+
+  @param[in] val  a floating-point value to create a JSON number from
+
+  @note [RFC 7159](http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7159.txt), section 6
+  disallows NaN values:
+  > Numeric values that cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as
+  > Infinity and NaN) are not permitted.
+  In case the parameter @a val is not a number, a JSON null value is created
+  instead.
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The following example creates several floating-point
+  values.,basic_json__number_float_t}
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleNumberFloatType) -- create a number
+  value (floating-point) from a compatible number type
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(const number_float_t val) noexcept : m_type(value_t::number_float),
+                                                  m_value(val)
+  {
+    // replace infinity and NAN by null
+    if (not std::isfinite(val))
+    {
+      m_type = value_t::null;
+      m_value = json_value();
+    }
+
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create an floating-point number (implicit)
+
+  Create an floating-point number JSON value with a given content. This
+  constructor allows any type @a CompatibleNumberFloatType that can be used
+  to construct values of type @ref number_float_t.
+
+  @tparam CompatibleNumberFloatType A floating-point type which is
+  compatible to @ref number_float_t. Examples may include the types `float`
+  or `double`.
+
+  @param[in] val  a floating-point to create a JSON number from
+
+  @note [RFC 7159](http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7159.txt), section 6
+  disallows NaN values:
+  > Numeric values that cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as
+  > Infinity and NaN) are not permitted.
+  In case the parameter @a val is not a number, a JSON null value is
+  created instead.
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows the construction of several
+  floating-point number values from compatible
+  types.,basic_json__CompatibleNumberFloatType}
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(const number_float_t) -- create a number value
+  (floating-point)
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename CompatibleNumberFloatType,
+            typename = typename std::enable_if<
+                std::is_constructible<number_float_t,
+                                      CompatibleNumberFloatType>::value and
+                std::is_floating_point<CompatibleNumberFloatType>::value>::type>
+  basic_json(const CompatibleNumberFloatType val) noexcept
+      : basic_json(number_float_t(val))
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create a container (array or object) from an initializer list
+
+  Creates a JSON value of type array or object from the passed initializer
+  list @a init. In case @a type_deduction is `true` (default), the type of
+  the JSON value to be created is deducted from the initializer list @a init
+  according to the following rules:
+
+  1. If the list is empty, an empty JSON object value `{}` is created.
+  2. If the list consists of pairs whose first element is a string, a JSON
+     object value is created where the first elements of the pairs are
+     treated as keys and the second elements are as values.
+  3. In all other cases, an array is created.
+
+  The rules aim to create the best fit between a C++ initializer list and
+  JSON values. The rationale is as follows:
+
+  1. The empty initializer list is written as `{}` which is exactly an empty
+     JSON object.
+  2. C++ has now way of describing mapped types other than to list a list of
+     pairs. As JSON requires that keys must be of type string, rule 2 is the
+     weakest constraint one can pose on initializer lists to interpret them
+     as an object.
+  3. In all other cases, the initializer list could not be interpreted as
+     JSON object type, so interpreting it as JSON array type is safe.
+
+  With the rules described above, the following JSON values cannot be
+  expressed by an initializer list:
+
+  - the empty array (`[]`): use @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>)
+    with an empty initializer list in this case
+  - arrays whose elements satisfy rule 2: use @ref
+    array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) with the same initializer list
+    in this case
+
+  @note When used without parentheses around an empty initializer list, @ref
+  basic_json() is called instead of this function, yielding the JSON null
+  value.
+
+  @param[in] init  initializer list with JSON values
+
+  @param[in] type_deduction internal parameter; when set to `true`, the type
+  of the JSON value is deducted from the initializer list @a init; when set
+  to `false`, the type provided via @a manual_type is forced. This mode is
+  used by the functions @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) and
+  @ref object(std::initializer_list<basic_json>).
+
+  @param[in] manual_type internal parameter; when @a type_deduction is set
+  to `false`, the created JSON value will use the provided type (only @ref
+  value_t::array and @ref value_t::object are valid); when @a type_deduction
+  is set to `true`, this parameter has no effect
+
+  @throw std::domain_error if @a type_deduction is `false`, @a manual_type
+  is `value_t::object`, but @a init contains an element which is not a pair
+  whose first element is a string; example: `"cannot create object from
+  initializer list"`
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the initializer list @a init.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how JSON values are created from
+  initializer lists.,basic_json__list_init_t}
+
+  @sa @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) -- create a JSON array
+  value from an initializer list
+  @sa @ref object(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) -- create a JSON object
+  value from an initializer list
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init, bool type_deduction = true,
+             value_t manual_type = value_t::array)
+  {
+    // check if each element is an array with two elements whose first
+    // element is a string
+    bool is_an_object =
+        std::all_of(init.begin(), init.end(), [](const basic_json &element) {
+          return element.is_array() and element.size() == 2 and
+                 element[0].is_string();
+        });
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object value fails
+    // adjust type if type deduction is not wanted
+    if (not type_deduction)
+    {
+      // if array is wanted, do not create an object though possible
+      if (manual_type == value_t::array)
+      {
+        is_an_object = false;
+      }
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with several
-    compatible object type parameters.,basic_json__CompatibleObjectType}
+      // if object is wanted but impossible, throw an exception
+      if (manual_type == value_t::object and not is_an_object)
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(
+            std::domain_error("cannot create object from initializer list"));
+      }
+    }
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const object_t&) -- create an object value
+    if (is_an_object)
+    {
+      // the initializer list is a list of pairs -> create object
+      m_type = value_t::object;
+      m_value = value_t::object;
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<class CompatibleObjectType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_constructible<typename object_t::key_type, typename CompatibleObjectType::key_type>::value and
-                 std::is_constructible<basic_json, typename CompatibleObjectType::mapped_type>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    basic_json(const CompatibleObjectType& val)
-        : m_type(value_t::object)
-    {
-        using std::begin;
-        using std::end;
-        m_value.object = create<object_t>(begin(val), end(val));
-        assert_invariant();
+      std::for_each(
+          init.begin(), init.end(), [this](const basic_json &element) {
+            m_value.object->emplace(*(element[0].m_value.string), element[1]);
+          });
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      // the initializer list describes an array -> create array
+      m_type = value_t::array;
+      m_value.array = create<array_t>(init);
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an array (explicit)
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    Create an array JSON value with a given content.
+  /*!
+  @brief explicitly create an array from an initializer list
 
-    @param[in] val  a value for the array
+  Creates a JSON array value from a given initializer list. That is, given a
+  list of values `a, b, c`, creates the JSON value `[a, b, c]`. If the
+  initializer list is empty, the empty array `[]` is created.
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
+  @note This function is only needed to express two edge cases that cannot
+  be realized with the initializer list constructor (@ref
+  basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool, value_t)). These cases
+  are:
+  1. creating an array whose elements are all pairs whose first element is a
+  string -- in this case, the initializer list constructor would create an
+  object, taking the first elements as keys
+  2. creating an empty array -- passing the empty initializer list to the
+  initializer list constructor yields an empty object
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for array value fails
+  @param[in] init  initializer list with JSON values to create an array from
+  (optional)
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with an @ref array_t
-    parameter.,basic_json__array_t}
+  @return JSON array value
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleArrayType&) -- create an array value
-    from a compatible STL containers
+  @complexity Linear in the size of @a init.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(const array_t& val)
-        : m_type(value_t::array), m_value(val)
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for the `array`
+  function.,array}
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an array (implicit)
+  @sa @ref basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool, value_t) --
+  create a JSON value from an initializer list
+  @sa @ref object(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) -- create a JSON object
+  value from an initializer list
 
-    Create an array JSON value with a given content. This constructor allows
-    any type @a CompatibleArrayType that can be used to construct values of
-    type @ref array_t.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  static basic_json array(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init =
+                              std::initializer_list<basic_json>())
+  {
+    return basic_json(init, false, value_t::array);
+  }
 
-    @tparam CompatibleArrayType An object type whose `value_type` is
-    compatible to @ref array_t. Examples include `std::vector`, `std::deque`,
-    `std::list`, `std::forward_list`, `std::array`, `std::set`,
-    `std::unordered_set`, `std::multiset`, and `unordered_multiset` with a
-    `value_type` from which a @ref basic_json value can be constructed.
+  /*!
+  @brief explicitly create an object from an initializer list
 
-    @param[in] val  a value for the array
+  Creates a JSON object value from a given initializer list. The initializer
+  lists elements must be pairs, and their first elements must be strings. If
+  the initializer list is empty, the empty object `{}` is created.
+
+  @note This function is only added for symmetry reasons. In contrast to the
+  related function @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>), there are
+  no cases which can only be expressed by this function. That is, any
+  initializer list @a init can also be passed to the initializer list
+  constructor @ref basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool,
+  value_t).
+
+  @param[in] init  initializer list to create an object from (optional)
+
+  @return JSON object value
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
+  @throw std::domain_error if @a init is not a pair whose first elements are
+  strings; thrown by
+  @ref basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool, value_t)
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for array value fails
+  @complexity Linear in the size of @a init.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with several
-    compatible array type parameters.,basic_json__CompatibleArrayType}
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for the `object`
+  function.,object}
+
+  @sa @ref basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool, value_t) --
+  create a JSON value from an initializer list
+  @sa @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) -- create a JSON array
+  value from an initializer list
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  static basic_json object(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init =
+                               std::initializer_list<basic_json>())
+  {
+    return basic_json(init, false, value_t::object);
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief construct an array with count copies of given value
+
+  Constructs a JSON array value by creating @a cnt copies of a passed value.
+  In case @a cnt is `0`, an empty array is created. As postcondition,
+  `std::distance(begin(),end()) == cnt` holds.
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const array_t&) -- create an array value
+  @param[in] cnt  the number of JSON copies of @a val to create
+  @param[in] val  the JSON value to copy
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<class CompatibleArrayType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType, typename basic_json_t::iterator>::value and
-                 not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType, typename basic_json_t::const_iterator>::value and
-                 not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType, typename basic_json_t::reverse_iterator>::value and
-                 not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType, typename basic_json_t::const_reverse_iterator>::value and
-                 not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType, typename array_t::iterator>::value and
-                 not std::is_same<CompatibleArrayType, typename array_t::const_iterator>::value and
-                 std::is_constructible<basic_json, typename CompatibleArrayType::value_type>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    basic_json(const CompatibleArrayType& val)
-        : m_type(value_t::array)
-    {
-        using std::begin;
-        using std::end;
-        m_value.array = create<array_t>(begin(val), end(val));
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @complexity Linear in @a cnt.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create a string (explicit)
+  @liveexample{The following code shows examples for the @ref
+  basic_json(size_type\, const basic_json&)
+  constructor.,basic_json__size_type_basic_json}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(size_type cnt, const basic_json &val) : m_type(value_t::array)
+  {
+    m_value.array = create<array_t>(cnt, val);
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief construct a JSON container given an iterator range
+
+  Constructs the JSON value with the contents of the range `[first, last)`.
+  The semantics depends on the different types a JSON value can have:
+  - In case of primitive types (number, boolean, or string), @a first must
+    be `begin()` and @a last must be `end()`. In this case, the value is
+    copied. Otherwise, std::out_of_range is thrown.
+  - In case of structured types (array, object), the constructor behaves as
+    similar versions for `std::vector`.
+  - In case of a null type, std::domain_error is thrown.
+
+  @tparam InputIT an input iterator type (@ref iterator or @ref
+  const_iterator)
+
+  @param[in] first begin of the range to copy from (included)
+  @param[in] last end of the range to copy from (excluded)
+
+  @pre Iterators @a first and @a last must be initialized. **This
+       precondition is enforced with an assertion.**
+
+  @throw std::domain_error if iterators are not compatible; that is, do not
+  belong to the same JSON value; example: `"iterators are not compatible"`
+  @throw std::out_of_range if iterators are for a primitive type (number,
+  boolean, or string) where an out of range error can be detected easily;
+  example: `"iterators out of range"`
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object, array, or string fails
+  @throw std::domain_error if called with a null value; example: `"cannot
+  use construct with iterators from null"`
+
+  @complexity Linear in distance between @a first and @a last.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows several ways to create JSON values by
+  specifying a subrange with iterators.,basic_json__InputIt_InputIt}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <class InputIT,
+            typename std::enable_if<
+                std::is_same<InputIT, typename basic_json_t::iterator>::value or
+                    std::is_same<InputIT,
+                                 typename basic_json_t::const_iterator>::value,
+                int>::type = 0>
+  basic_json(InputIT first, InputIT last)
+  {
+    assert(first.m_object != nullptr);
+    assert(last.m_object != nullptr);
+
+    // make sure iterator fits the current value
+    if (first.m_object != last.m_object)
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterators are not compatible"));
+    }
+
+    // copy type from first iterator
+    m_type = first.m_object->m_type;
+
+    // check if iterator range is complete for primitive values
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        if (not first.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin() or
+            not last.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_end())
+        {
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("iterators out of range"));
+        }
+        break;
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      {
+        m_value.number_integer = first.m_object->m_value.number_integer;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      {
+        m_value.number_unsigned = first.m_object->m_value.number_unsigned;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      {
+        m_value.number_float = first.m_object->m_value.number_float;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      {
+        m_value.boolean = first.m_object->m_value.boolean;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        m_value = *first.m_object->m_value.string;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        m_value.object = create<object_t>(first.m_it.object_iterator,
+                                          last.m_it.object_iterator);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        m_value.array = create<array_t>(first.m_it.array_iterator,
+                                        last.m_it.array_iterator);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(
+            std::domain_error("cannot use construct with iterators from " +
+                              first.m_object->type_name()));
+      }
+    }
+
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief construct a JSON value given an input stream
+
+  @param[in,out] i  stream to read a serialized JSON value from
+  @param[in] cb a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
+  which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
+  (optional)
+
+  @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
+  LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
+  @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
+
+  @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+
+  @deprecated This constructor is deprecated and will be removed in version
+    3.0.0 to unify the interface of the library. Deserialization will be
+    done by stream operators or by calling one of the `parse` functions,
+    e.g. @ref parse(std::istream&, const parser_callback_t). That is, calls
+    like `json j(i);` for an input stream @a i need to be replaced by
+    `json j = json::parse(i);`. See the example below.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below demonstrates constructing a JSON value from
+  a `std::stringstream` with and without callback
+  function.,basic_json__istream}
+
+  @since version 2.0.0, deprecated in version 2.0.3, to be removed in
+         version 3.0.0
+  */
+  JSON_DEPRECATED
+  explicit basic_json(std::istream &i, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+  {
+    *this = parser(i, cb).parse();
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  ///////////////////////////////////////
+  // other constructors and destructor //
+  ///////////////////////////////////////
+
+  /*!
+  @brief copy constructor
+
+  Creates a copy of a given JSON value.
+
+  @param[in] other  the JSON value to copy
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of @a other.
+
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is linear.
+  - As postcondition, it holds: `other == basic_json(other)`.
+
+  @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object, array, or string fails.
+
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for the copy
+  constructor.,basic_json__basic_json}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(const basic_json &other) : m_type(other.m_type)
+  {
+    // check of passed value is valid
+    other.assert_invariant();
+
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        m_value = *other.m_value.object;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        m_value = *other.m_value.array;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        m_value = *other.m_value.string;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      {
+        m_value = other.m_value.boolean;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      {
+        m_value = other.m_value.number_integer;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      {
+        m_value = other.m_value.number_unsigned;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      {
+        m_value = other.m_value.number_float;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief move constructor
+
+  Move constructor. Constructs a JSON value with the contents of the given
+  value @a other using move semantics. It "steals" the resources from @a
+  other and leaves it as JSON null value.
+
+  @param[in,out] other  value to move to this object
+
+  @post @a other is a JSON null value
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The code below shows the move constructor explicitly called
+  via std::move.,basic_json__moveconstructor}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json(basic_json &&other) noexcept : m_type(std::move(other.m_type)),
+                                            m_value(std::move(other.m_value))
+  {
+    // check that passed value is valid
+    other.assert_invariant();
+
+    // invalidate payload
+    other.m_type = value_t::null;
+    other.m_value = {};
+
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief copy assignment
+
+  Copy assignment operator. Copies a JSON value via the "copy and swap"
+  strategy: It is expressed in terms of the copy constructor, destructor,
+  and the swap() member function.
+
+  @param[in] other  value to copy from
+
+  @complexity Linear.
+
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is linear.
+
+  @liveexample{The code below shows and example for the copy assignment. It
+  creates a copy of value `a` which is then swapped with `b`. Finally\, the
+  copy of `a` (which is the null value after the swap) is
+  destroyed.,basic_json__copyassignment}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reference &operator=(basic_json other) noexcept(
+      std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<value_t>::value
+          and std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<value_t>::value
+              and std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<json_value>::value
+                  and std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<json_value>::value)
+  {
+    // check that passed value is valid
+    other.assert_invariant();
+
+    using std::swap;
+    swap(m_type, other.m_type);
+    swap(m_value, other.m_value);
+
+    assert_invariant();
+    return *this;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief destructor
+
+  Destroys the JSON value and frees all allocated memory.
 
-    Create an string JSON value with a given content.
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-    @param[in] val  a value for the string
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is linear.
+  - All stored elements are destroyed and all memory is freed.
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  ~basic_json()
+  {
+    assert_invariant();
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for string value fails
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        AllocatorType<object_t> alloc;
+        alloc.destroy(m_value.object);
+        alloc.deallocate(m_value.object, 1);
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with an @ref
-    string_t parameter.,basic_json__string_t}
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        AllocatorType<array_t> alloc;
+        alloc.destroy(m_value.array);
+        alloc.deallocate(m_value.array, 1);
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const typename string_t::value_type*) -- create a
-    string value from a character pointer
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleStringType&) -- create a string value
-    from a compatible string container
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        AllocatorType<string_t> alloc;
+        alloc.destroy(m_value.string);
+        alloc.deallocate(m_value.string, 1);
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(const string_t& val)
-        : m_type(value_t::string), m_value(val)
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
+      default:
+      {
+        // all other types need no specific destructor
+        break;
+      }
     }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create a string (explicit)
+  /// @}
 
-    Create a string JSON value with a given content.
+public:
+  ///////////////////////
+  // object inspection //
+  ///////////////////////
 
-    @param[in] val  a literal value for the string
+  /// @name object inspection
+  /// Functions to inspect the type of a JSON value.
+  /// @{
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
+  /*!
+  @brief serialization
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for string value fails
+  Serialization function for JSON values. The function tries to mimic
+  Python's `json.dumps()` function, and currently supports its @a indent
+  parameter.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the constructor with string literal
-    parameter.,basic_json__string_t_value_type}
+  @param[in] indent If indent is nonnegative, then array elements and object
+  members will be pretty-printed with that indent level. An indent level of
+  `0` will only insert newlines. `-1` (the default) selects the most compact
+  representation.
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const string_t&) -- create a string value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleStringType&) -- create a string value
-    from a compatible string container
+  @return string containing the serialization of the JSON value
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(const typename string_t::value_type* val)
-        : basic_json(string_t(val))
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create a string (implicit)
+  @liveexample{The following example shows the effect of different @a indent
+  parameters to the result of the serialization.,dump}
 
-    Create a string JSON value with a given content.
+  @see https://docs.python.org/2/library/json.html#json.dump
 
-    @param[in] val  a value for the string
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  string_t dump(const int indent = -1) const
+  {
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    // fix locale problems
+    ss.imbue(std::locale::classic());
 
-    @tparam CompatibleStringType an string type which is compatible to @ref
-    string_t, for instance `std::string`.
+    // 6, 15 or 16 digits of precision allows round-trip IEEE 754
+    // string->float->string, string->double->string or string->long
+    // double->string; to be safe, we read this value from
+    // std::numeric_limits<number_float_t>::digits10
+    ss.precision(std::numeric_limits<double>::digits10);
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the passed @a val.
+    if (indent >= 0)
+    {
+      dump(ss, true, static_cast<unsigned int>(indent));
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      dump(ss, false, 0);
+    }
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for string value fails
+    return ss.str();
+  }
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows the construction of a string value
-    from a compatible type.,basic_json__CompatibleStringType}
+  /*!
+  @brief return the type of the JSON value (explicit)
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const string_t&) -- create a string value
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const typename string_t::value_type*) -- create a
-    string value from a character pointer
+  Return the type of the JSON value as a value from the @ref value_t
+  enumeration.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<class CompatibleStringType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_constructible<string_t, CompatibleStringType>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    basic_json(const CompatibleStringType& val)
-        : basic_json(string_t(val))
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @return the type of the JSON value
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create a boolean (explicit)
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    Creates a JSON boolean type from a given value.
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @param[in] val  a boolean value to store
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `type()` for all JSON
+  types.,type}
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr value_t type() const noexcept { return m_type; }
 
-    @liveexample{The example below demonstrates boolean
-    values.,basic_json__boolean_t}
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether type is primitive
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(boolean_t val) noexcept
-        : m_type(value_t::boolean), m_value(val)
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  This function returns true iff the JSON type is primitive (string, number,
+  boolean, or null).
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an integer number (explicit)
+  @return `true` if type is primitive (string, number, boolean, or null),
+  `false` otherwise.
 
-    Create an integer number JSON value with a given content.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @tparam T A helper type to remove this function via SFINAE in case @ref
-    number_integer_t is the same as `int`. In this case, this constructor
-    would have the same signature as @ref basic_json(const int value). Note
-    the helper type @a T is not visible in this constructor's interface.
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @param[in] val  an integer to create a JSON number from
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_primitive()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_primitive}
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @sa @ref is_structured() -- returns whether JSON value is structured
+  @sa @ref is_null() -- returns whether JSON value is `null`
+  @sa @ref is_string() -- returns whether JSON value is a string
+  @sa @ref is_boolean() -- returns whether JSON value is a boolean
+  @sa @ref is_number() -- returns whether JSON value is a number
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows the construction of an integer
-    number value.,basic_json__number_integer_t}
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_primitive() const noexcept
+  {
+    return is_null() or is_string() or is_boolean() or is_number();
+  }
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const int) -- create a number value (integer)
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleNumberIntegerType) -- create a number
-    value (integer) from a compatible number type
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether type is structured
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename T, typename std::enable_if<
-                 not (std::is_same<T, int>::value) and
-                 std::is_same<T, number_integer_t>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    basic_json(const number_integer_t val) noexcept
-        : m_type(value_t::number_integer), m_value(val)
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  This function returns true iff the JSON type is structured (array or
+  object).
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an integer number from an enum type (explicit)
+  @return `true` if type is structured (array or object), `false` otherwise.
 
-    Create an integer number JSON value with a given content.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @param[in] val  an integer to create a JSON number from
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @note This constructor allows to pass enums directly to a constructor. As
-    C++ has no way of specifying the type of an anonymous enum explicitly, we
-    can only rely on the fact that such values implicitly convert to int. As
-    int may already be the same type of number_integer_t, we may need to
-    switch off the constructor @ref basic_json(const number_integer_t).
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_structured()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_structured}
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @sa @ref is_primitive() -- returns whether value is primitive
+  @sa @ref is_array() -- returns whether value is an array
+  @sa @ref is_object() -- returns whether value is an object
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows the construction of an integer
-    number value from an anonymous enum.,basic_json__const_int}
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_structured() const noexcept
+  {
+    return is_array() or is_object();
+  }
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const number_integer_t) -- create a number value
-    (integer)
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleNumberIntegerType) -- create a number
-    value (integer) from a compatible number type
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is null
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(const int val) noexcept
-        : m_type(value_t::number_integer),
-          m_value(static_cast<number_integer_t>(val))
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is null.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an integer number (implicit)
+  @return `true` if type is null, `false` otherwise.
 
-    Create an integer number JSON value with a given content. This constructor
-    allows any type @a CompatibleNumberIntegerType that can be used to
-    construct values of type @ref number_integer_t.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @tparam CompatibleNumberIntegerType An integer type which is compatible to
-    @ref number_integer_t. Examples include the types `int`, `int32_t`,
-    `long`, and `short`.
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @param[in] val  an integer to create a JSON number from
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_null()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_null}
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_null() const noexcept { return m_type == value_t::null; }
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows the construction of several integer
-    number values from compatible
-    types.,basic_json__CompatibleIntegerNumberType}
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is a boolean
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const number_integer_t) -- create a number value
-    (integer)
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const int) -- create a number value (integer)
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is a boolean.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename CompatibleNumberIntegerType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_constructible<number_integer_t, CompatibleNumberIntegerType>::value and
-                 std::numeric_limits<CompatibleNumberIntegerType>::is_integer and
-                 std::numeric_limits<CompatibleNumberIntegerType>::is_signed,
-                 CompatibleNumberIntegerType>::type = 0>
-    basic_json(const CompatibleNumberIntegerType val) noexcept
-        : m_type(value_t::number_integer),
-          m_value(static_cast<number_integer_t>(val))
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @return `true` if type is boolean, `false` otherwise.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an unsigned integer number (explicit)
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    Create an unsigned integer number JSON value with a given content.
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @tparam T  helper type to compare number_unsigned_t and unsigned int (not
-    visible in) the interface.
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_boolean()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_boolean}
 
-    @param[in] val  an integer to create a JSON number from
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_boolean() const noexcept
+  {
+    return m_type == value_t::boolean;
+  }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is a number
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleNumberUnsignedType) -- create a number
-    value (unsigned integer) from a compatible number type
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is a number. This includes
+  both integer and floating-point values.
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename T, typename std::enable_if<
-                 not (std::is_same<T, int>::value) and
-                 std::is_same<T, number_unsigned_t>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    basic_json(const number_unsigned_t val) noexcept
-        : m_type(value_t::number_unsigned), m_value(val)
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @return `true` if type is number (regardless whether integer, unsigned
+  integer or floating-type), `false` otherwise.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an unsigned number (implicit)
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    Create an unsigned number JSON value with a given content. This
-    constructor allows any type @a CompatibleNumberUnsignedType that can be
-    used to construct values of type @ref number_unsigned_t.
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @tparam CompatibleNumberUnsignedType An integer type which is compatible
-    to @ref number_unsigned_t. Examples may include the types `unsigned int`,
-    `uint32_t`, or `unsigned short`.
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_number()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_number}
 
-    @param[in] val  an unsigned integer to create a JSON number from
+  @sa @ref is_number_integer() -- check if value is an integer or unsigned
+  integer number
+  @sa @ref is_number_unsigned() -- check if value is an unsigned integer
+  number
+  @sa @ref is_number_float() -- check if value is a floating-point number
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_number() const noexcept
+  {
+    return is_number_integer() or is_number_float();
+  }
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const number_unsigned_t) -- create a number value
-    (unsigned)
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is an integer number
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename CompatibleNumberUnsignedType, typename std::enable_if <
-                 std::is_constructible<number_unsigned_t, CompatibleNumberUnsignedType>::value and
-                 std::numeric_limits<CompatibleNumberUnsignedType>::is_integer and
-                 not std::numeric_limits<CompatibleNumberUnsignedType>::is_signed,
-                 CompatibleNumberUnsignedType>::type = 0>
-    basic_json(const CompatibleNumberUnsignedType val) noexcept
-        : m_type(value_t::number_unsigned),
-          m_value(static_cast<number_unsigned_t>(val))
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is an integer or unsigned
+  integer number. This excludes floating-point values.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create a floating-point number (explicit)
+  @return `true` if type is an integer or unsigned integer number, `false`
+  otherwise.
 
-    Create a floating-point number JSON value with a given content.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @param[in] val  a floating-point value to create a JSON number from
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @note [RFC 7159](http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7159.txt), section 6
-    disallows NaN values:
-    > Numeric values that cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as
-    > Infinity and NaN) are not permitted.
-    In case the parameter @a val is not a number, a JSON null value is created
-    instead.
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_number_integer()` for all
+  JSON types.,is_number_integer}
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @sa @ref is_number() -- check if value is a number
+  @sa @ref is_number_unsigned() -- check if value is an unsigned integer
+  number
+  @sa @ref is_number_float() -- check if value is a floating-point number
 
-    @liveexample{The following example creates several floating-point
-    values.,basic_json__number_float_t}
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_number_integer() const noexcept
+  {
+    return m_type == value_t::number_integer or
+           m_type == value_t::number_unsigned;
+  }
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const CompatibleNumberFloatType) -- create a number
-    value (floating-point) from a compatible number type
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is an unsigned integer number
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(const number_float_t val) noexcept
-        : m_type(value_t::number_float), m_value(val)
-    {
-        // replace infinity and NAN by null
-        if (not std::isfinite(val))
-        {
-            m_type = value_t::null;
-            m_value = json_value();
-        }
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is an unsigned integer
+  number. This excludes floating-point and (signed) integer values.
 
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @return `true` if type is an unsigned integer number, `false` otherwise.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create an floating-point number (implicit)
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    Create an floating-point number JSON value with a given content. This
-    constructor allows any type @a CompatibleNumberFloatType that can be used
-    to construct values of type @ref number_float_t.
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @tparam CompatibleNumberFloatType A floating-point type which is
-    compatible to @ref number_float_t. Examples may include the types `float`
-    or `double`.
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_number_unsigned()` for all
+  JSON types.,is_number_unsigned}
 
-    @param[in] val  a floating-point to create a JSON number from
+  @sa @ref is_number() -- check if value is a number
+  @sa @ref is_number_integer() -- check if value is an integer or unsigned
+  integer number
+  @sa @ref is_number_float() -- check if value is a floating-point number
 
-    @note [RFC 7159](http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7159.txt), section 6
-    disallows NaN values:
-    > Numeric values that cannot be represented in the grammar below (such as
-    > Infinity and NaN) are not permitted.
-    In case the parameter @a val is not a number, a JSON null value is
-    created instead.
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_number_unsigned() const noexcept
+  {
+    return m_type == value_t::number_unsigned;
+  }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is a floating-point number
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows the construction of several
-    floating-point number values from compatible
-    types.,basic_json__CompatibleNumberFloatType}
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is a floating-point number.
+  This excludes integer and unsigned integer values.
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(const number_float_t) -- create a number value
-    (floating-point)
+  @return `true` if type is a floating-point number, `false` otherwise.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename CompatibleNumberFloatType, typename = typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_constructible<number_float_t, CompatibleNumberFloatType>::value and
-                 std::is_floating_point<CompatibleNumberFloatType>::value>::type>
-    basic_json(const CompatibleNumberFloatType val) noexcept
-        : basic_json(number_float_t(val))
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief create a container (array or object) from an initializer list
-
-    Creates a JSON value of type array or object from the passed initializer
-    list @a init. In case @a type_deduction is `true` (default), the type of
-    the JSON value to be created is deducted from the initializer list @a init
-    according to the following rules:
-
-    1. If the list is empty, an empty JSON object value `{}` is created.
-    2. If the list consists of pairs whose first element is a string, a JSON
-       object value is created where the first elements of the pairs are
-       treated as keys and the second elements are as values.
-    3. In all other cases, an array is created.
-
-    The rules aim to create the best fit between a C++ initializer list and
-    JSON values. The rationale is as follows:
-
-    1. The empty initializer list is written as `{}` which is exactly an empty
-       JSON object.
-    2. C++ has now way of describing mapped types other than to list a list of
-       pairs. As JSON requires that keys must be of type string, rule 2 is the
-       weakest constraint one can pose on initializer lists to interpret them
-       as an object.
-    3. In all other cases, the initializer list could not be interpreted as
-       JSON object type, so interpreting it as JSON array type is safe.
-
-    With the rules described above, the following JSON values cannot be
-    expressed by an initializer list:
-
-    - the empty array (`[]`): use @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>)
-      with an empty initializer list in this case
-    - arrays whose elements satisfy rule 2: use @ref
-      array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) with the same initializer list
-      in this case
-
-    @note When used without parentheses around an empty initializer list, @ref
-    basic_json() is called instead of this function, yielding the JSON null
-    value.
-
-    @param[in] init  initializer list with JSON values
-
-    @param[in] type_deduction internal parameter; when set to `true`, the type
-    of the JSON value is deducted from the initializer list @a init; when set
-    to `false`, the type provided via @a manual_type is forced. This mode is
-    used by the functions @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) and
-    @ref object(std::initializer_list<basic_json>).
-
-    @param[in] manual_type internal parameter; when @a type_deduction is set
-    to `false`, the created JSON value will use the provided type (only @ref
-    value_t::array and @ref value_t::object are valid); when @a type_deduction
-    is set to `true`, this parameter has no effect
-
-    @throw std::domain_error if @a type_deduction is `false`, @a manual_type
-    is `value_t::object`, but @a init contains an element which is not a pair
-    whose first element is a string; example: `"cannot create object from
-    initializer list"`
-
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the initializer list @a init.
-
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how JSON values are created from
-    initializer lists.,basic_json__list_init_t}
-
-    @sa @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) -- create a JSON array
-    value from an initializer list
-    @sa @ref object(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) -- create a JSON object
-    value from an initializer list
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init,
-               bool type_deduction = true,
-               value_t manual_type = value_t::array)
-    {
-        // check if each element is an array with two elements whose first
-        // element is a string
-        bool is_an_object = std::all_of(init.begin(), init.end(),
-                                        [](const basic_json & element)
-        {
-            return element.is_array() and element.size() == 2 and element[0].is_string();
-        });
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-        // adjust type if type deduction is not wanted
-        if (not type_deduction)
-        {
-            // if array is wanted, do not create an object though possible
-            if (manual_type == value_t::array)
-            {
-                is_an_object = false;
-            }
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_number_float()` for all
+  JSON types.,is_number_float}
 
-            // if object is wanted but impossible, throw an exception
-            if (manual_type == value_t::object and not is_an_object)
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot create object from initializer list"));
-            }
-        }
+  @sa @ref is_number() -- check if value is number
+  @sa @ref is_number_integer() -- check if value is an integer number
+  @sa @ref is_number_unsigned() -- check if value is an unsigned integer
+  number
 
-        if (is_an_object)
-        {
-            // the initializer list is a list of pairs -> create object
-            m_type = value_t::object;
-            m_value = value_t::object;
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_number_float() const noexcept
+  {
+    return m_type == value_t::number_float;
+  }
 
-            std::for_each(init.begin(), init.end(), [this](const basic_json & element)
-            {
-                m_value.object->emplace(*(element[0].m_value.string), element[1]);
-            });
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            // the initializer list describes an array -> create array
-            m_type = value_t::array;
-            m_value.array = create<array_t>(init);
-        }
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is an object
 
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is an object.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief explicitly create an array from an initializer list
+  @return `true` if type is object, `false` otherwise.
 
-    Creates a JSON array value from a given initializer list. That is, given a
-    list of values `a, b, c`, creates the JSON value `[a, b, c]`. If the
-    initializer list is empty, the empty array `[]` is created.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @note This function is only needed to express two edge cases that cannot
-    be realized with the initializer list constructor (@ref
-    basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool, value_t)). These cases
-    are:
-    1. creating an array whose elements are all pairs whose first element is a
-    string -- in this case, the initializer list constructor would create an
-    object, taking the first elements as keys
-    2. creating an empty array -- passing the empty initializer list to the
-    initializer list constructor yields an empty object
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @param[in] init  initializer list with JSON values to create an array from
-    (optional)
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_object()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_object}
 
-    @return JSON array value
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_object() const noexcept
+  {
+    return m_type == value_t::object;
+  }
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of @a init.
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is an array
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for the `array`
-    function.,array}
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is an array.
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool, value_t) --
-    create a JSON value from an initializer list
-    @sa @ref object(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) -- create a JSON object
-    value from an initializer list
+  @return `true` if type is array, `false` otherwise.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    static basic_json array(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init =
-                                std::initializer_list<basic_json>())
-    {
-        return basic_json(init, false, value_t::array);
-    }
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief explicitly create an object from an initializer list
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    Creates a JSON object value from a given initializer list. The initializer
-    lists elements must be pairs, and their first elements must be strings. If
-    the initializer list is empty, the empty object `{}` is created.
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_array()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_array}
 
-    @note This function is only added for symmetry reasons. In contrast to the
-    related function @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>), there are
-    no cases which can only be expressed by this function. That is, any
-    initializer list @a init can also be passed to the initializer list
-    constructor @ref basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool,
-    value_t).
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_array() const noexcept { return m_type == value_t::array; }
 
-    @param[in] init  initializer list to create an object from (optional)
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is a string
 
-    @return JSON object value
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value is a string.
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if @a init is not a pair whose first elements are
-    strings; thrown by
-    @ref basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool, value_t)
+  @return `true` if type is string, `false` otherwise.
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of @a init.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for the `object`
-    function.,object}
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @sa @ref basic_json(std::initializer_list<basic_json>, bool, value_t) --
-    create a JSON value from an initializer list
-    @sa @ref array(std::initializer_list<basic_json>) -- create a JSON array
-    value from an initializer list
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_string()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_string}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    static basic_json object(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init =
-                                 std::initializer_list<basic_json>())
-    {
-        return basic_json(init, false, value_t::object);
-    }
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_string() const noexcept
+  {
+    return m_type == value_t::string;
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief construct an array with count copies of given value
+  /*!
+  @brief return whether value is discarded
 
-    Constructs a JSON array value by creating @a cnt copies of a passed value.
-    In case @a cnt is `0`, an empty array is created. As postcondition,
-    `std::distance(begin(),end()) == cnt` holds.
+  This function returns true iff the JSON value was discarded during parsing
+  with a callback function (see @ref parser_callback_t).
 
-    @param[in] cnt  the number of JSON copies of @a val to create
-    @param[in] val  the JSON value to copy
+  @note This function will always be `false` for JSON values after parsing.
+  That is, discarded values can only occur during parsing, but will be
+  removed when inside a structured value or replaced by null in other cases.
 
-    @complexity Linear in @a cnt.
+  @return `true` if type is discarded, `false` otherwise.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows examples for the @ref
-    basic_json(size_type\, const basic_json&)
-    constructor.,basic_json__size_type_basic_json}
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(size_type cnt, const basic_json& val)
-        : m_type(value_t::array)
-    {
-        m_value.array = create<array_t>(cnt, val);
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief construct a JSON container given an iterator range
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_discarded()` for all JSON
+  types.,is_discarded}
 
-    Constructs the JSON value with the contents of the range `[first, last)`.
-    The semantics depends on the different types a JSON value can have:
-    - In case of primitive types (number, boolean, or string), @a first must
-      be `begin()` and @a last must be `end()`. In this case, the value is
-      copied. Otherwise, std::out_of_range is thrown.
-    - In case of structured types (array, object), the constructor behaves as
-      similar versions for `std::vector`.
-    - In case of a null type, std::domain_error is thrown.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr bool is_discarded() const noexcept
+  {
+    return m_type == value_t::discarded;
+  }
 
-    @tparam InputIT an input iterator type (@ref iterator or @ref
-    const_iterator)
+  /*!
+  @brief return the type of the JSON value (implicit)
 
-    @param[in] first begin of the range to copy from (included)
-    @param[in] last end of the range to copy from (excluded)
+  Implicitly return the type of the JSON value as a value from the @ref
+  value_t enumeration.
 
-    @pre Iterators @a first and @a last must be initialized. **This
-         precondition is enforced with an assertion.**
+  @return the type of the JSON value
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if iterators are not compatible; that is, do not
-    belong to the same JSON value; example: `"iterators are not compatible"`
-    @throw std::out_of_range if iterators are for a primitive type (number,
-    boolean, or string) where an out of range error can be detected easily;
-    example: `"iterators out of range"`
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object, array, or string fails
-    @throw std::domain_error if called with a null value; example: `"cannot
-    use construct with iterators from null"`
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @complexity Linear in distance between @a first and @a last.
+  @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
+  exceptions.
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows several ways to create JSON values by
-    specifying a subrange with iterators.,basic_json__InputIt_InputIt}
+  @liveexample{The following code exemplifies the @ref value_t operator for
+  all JSON types.,operator__value_t}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<class InputIT, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_same<InputIT, typename basic_json_t::iterator>::value or
-                 std::is_same<InputIT, typename basic_json_t::const_iterator>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    basic_json(InputIT first, InputIT last)
-    {
-        assert(first.m_object != nullptr);
-        assert(last.m_object != nullptr);
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  constexpr operator value_t() const noexcept { return m_type; }
 
-        // make sure iterator fits the current value
-        if (first.m_object != last.m_object)
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterators are not compatible"));
-        }
+  /// @}
 
-        // copy type from first iterator
-        m_type = first.m_object->m_type;
+private:
+  //////////////////
+  // value access //
+  //////////////////
 
-        // check if iterator range is complete for primitive values
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                if (not first.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin() or not last.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_end())
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("iterators out of range"));
-                }
-                break;
-            }
+  /// get an object (explicit)
+  template <
+      class T,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          std::is_convertible<typename object_t::key_type,
+                              typename T::key_type>::value and
+              std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, typename T::mapped_type>::value,
+          int>::type = 0>
+  T get_impl(T * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    if (is_object())
+    {
+      return T(m_value.object->begin(), m_value.object->end());
+    }
 
-            default:
-            {
-                break;
-            }
-        }
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be object, but is " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            {
-                m_value.number_integer = first.m_object->m_value.number_integer;
-                break;
-            }
+  /// get an object (explicit)
+  object_t get_impl(object_t * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    if (is_object())
+    {
+      return *(m_value.object);
+    }
 
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            {
-                m_value.number_unsigned = first.m_object->m_value.number_unsigned;
-                break;
-            }
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be object, but is " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            {
-                m_value.number_float = first.m_object->m_value.number_float;
-                break;
-            }
+  /// get an array (explicit)
+  template <
+      class T,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, typename T::value_type>::value and
+              not std::is_same<basic_json_t, typename T::value_type>::value and
+              not std::is_arithmetic<T>::value and
+              not std::is_convertible<std::string, T>::value and
+              not has_mapped_type<T>::value,
+          int>::type = 0>
+  T get_impl(T * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    if (is_array())
+    {
+      T to_vector;
+      std::transform(
+          m_value.array->begin(), m_value.array->end(),
+          std::inserter(to_vector, to_vector.end()),
+          [](basic_json i) { return i.get<typename T::value_type>(); });
+      return to_vector;
+    }
 
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            {
-                m_value.boolean = first.m_object->m_value.boolean;
-                break;
-            }
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be array, but is " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                m_value = *first.m_object->m_value.string;
-                break;
-            }
+  /// get an array (explicit)
+  template <class T, typename std::enable_if<
+                         std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, T>::value and
+                             not std::is_same<basic_json_t, T>::value,
+                         int>::type = 0>
+  std::vector<T> get_impl(std::vector<T> * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    if (is_array())
+    {
+      std::vector<T> to_vector;
+      to_vector.reserve(m_value.array->size());
+      std::transform(m_value.array->begin(), m_value.array->end(),
+                     std::inserter(to_vector, to_vector.end()),
+                     [](basic_json i) { return i.get<T>(); });
+      return to_vector;
+    }
 
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                m_value.object = create<object_t>(first.m_it.object_iterator,
-                                                  last.m_it.object_iterator);
-                break;
-            }
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be array, but is " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                m_value.array = create<array_t>(first.m_it.array_iterator,
-                                                last.m_it.array_iterator);
-                break;
-            }
+  /// get an array (explicit)
+  template <class T,
+            typename std::enable_if<
+                std::is_same<basic_json, typename T::value_type>::value and
+                    not has_mapped_type<T>::value,
+                int>::type = 0>
+  T get_impl(T * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    if (is_array())
+    {
+      return T(m_value.array->begin(), m_value.array->end());
+    }
+
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be array, but is " + type_name()));
+  }
+
+  /// get an array (explicit)
+  array_t get_impl(array_t * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    if (is_array())
+    {
+      return *(m_value.array);
+    }
+
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be array, but is " + type_name()));
+  }
+
+  /// get a string (explicit)
+  template <typename T,
+            typename std::enable_if<std::is_convertible<string_t, T>::value,
+                                    int>::type = 0>
+  T get_impl(T * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    if (is_string())
+    {
+      return *m_value.string;
+    }
+
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be string, but is " + type_name()));
+  }
+
+  /// get a number (explicit)
+  template <typename T, typename std::enable_if<std::is_arithmetic<T>::value,
+                                                int>::type = 0>
+  T get_impl(T * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      {
+        return static_cast<T>(m_value.number_integer);
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      {
+        return static_cast<T>(m_value.number_unsigned);
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      {
+        return static_cast<T>(m_value.number_float);
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(
+            std::domain_error("type must be number, but is " + type_name()));
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// get a boolean (explicit)
+  boolean_t get_impl(boolean_t * /*unused*/) const
+  {
+    if (is_boolean())
+    {
+      return m_value.boolean;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(
+          std::domain_error("type must be boolean, but is " + type_name()));
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (object)
+  object_t *get_impl_ptr(object_t * /*unused*/) noexcept
+  {
+    return is_object() ? m_value.object : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (object)
+  constexpr const object_t *get_impl_ptr(const object_t * /*unused*/) const
+      noexcept
+  {
+    return is_object() ? m_value.object : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (array)
+  array_t *get_impl_ptr(array_t * /*unused*/) noexcept
+  {
+    return is_array() ? m_value.array : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (array)
+  constexpr const array_t *get_impl_ptr(const array_t * /*unused*/) const
+      noexcept
+  {
+    return is_array() ? m_value.array : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (string)
+  string_t *get_impl_ptr(string_t * /*unused*/) noexcept
+  {
+    return is_string() ? m_value.string : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (string)
+  constexpr const string_t *get_impl_ptr(const string_t * /*unused*/) const
+      noexcept
+  {
+    return is_string() ? m_value.string : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (boolean)
+  boolean_t *get_impl_ptr(boolean_t * /*unused*/) noexcept
+  {
+    return is_boolean() ? &m_value.boolean : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (boolean)
+  constexpr const boolean_t *get_impl_ptr(const boolean_t * /*unused*/) const
+      noexcept
+  {
+    return is_boolean() ? &m_value.boolean : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (integer number)
+  number_integer_t *get_impl_ptr(number_integer_t * /*unused*/) noexcept
+  {
+    return is_number_integer() ? &m_value.number_integer : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (integer number)
+  constexpr const number_integer_t *
+  get_impl_ptr(const number_integer_t * /*unused*/) const noexcept
+  {
+    return is_number_integer() ? &m_value.number_integer : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (unsigned number)
+  number_unsigned_t *get_impl_ptr(number_unsigned_t * /*unused*/) noexcept
+  {
+    return is_number_unsigned() ? &m_value.number_unsigned : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (unsigned number)
+  constexpr const number_unsigned_t *
+  get_impl_ptr(const number_unsigned_t * /*unused*/) const noexcept
+  {
+    return is_number_unsigned() ? &m_value.number_unsigned : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (floating-point number)
+  number_float_t *get_impl_ptr(number_float_t * /*unused*/) noexcept
+  {
+    return is_number_float() ? &m_value.number_float : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /// get a pointer to the value (floating-point number)
+  constexpr const number_float_t *
+  get_impl_ptr(const number_float_t * /*unused*/) const noexcept
+  {
+    return is_number_float() ? &m_value.number_float : nullptr;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief helper function to implement get_ref()
+
+  This funcion helps to implement get_ref() without code duplication for
+  const and non-const overloads
+
+  @tparam ThisType will be deduced as `basic_json` or `const basic_json`
+
+  @throw std::domain_error if ReferenceType does not match underlying value
+  type of the current JSON
+  */
+  template <typename ReferenceType, typename ThisType>
+  static ReferenceType get_ref_impl(ThisType &obj)
+  {
+    // helper type
+    using PointerType = typename std::add_pointer<ReferenceType>::type;
+
+    // delegate the call to get_ptr<>()
+    auto ptr = obj.template get_ptr<PointerType>();
+
+    if (ptr != nullptr)
+    {
+      return *ptr;
+    }
+
+    throw std::domain_error(
+        "incompatible ReferenceType for get_ref, actual type is " +
+        obj.type_name());
+  }
+
+public:
+  /// @name value access
+  /// Direct access to the stored value of a JSON value.
+  /// @{
+
+  /*!
+  @brief get a value (explicit)
+
+  Explicit type conversion between the JSON value and a compatible value.
+
+  @tparam ValueType non-pointer type compatible to the JSON value, for
+  instance `int` for JSON integer numbers, `bool` for JSON booleans, or
+  `std::vector` types for JSON arrays
+
+  @return copy of the JSON value, converted to type @a ValueType
+
+  @throw std::domain_error in case passed type @a ValueType is incompatible
+  to JSON; example: `"type must be object, but is null"`
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows several conversions from JSON values
+  to other types. There a few things to note: (1) Floating-point numbers can
+  be converted to integers\, (2) A JSON array can be converted to a standard
+  `std::vector<short>`\, (3) A JSON object can be converted to C++
+  associative containers such as `std::unordered_map<std::string\,
+  json>`.,get__ValueType_const}
+
+  @internal
+  The idea of using a casted null pointer to choose the correct
+  implementation is from <http://stackoverflow.com/a/8315197/266378>.
+  @endinternal
+
+  @sa @ref operator ValueType() const for implicit conversion
+  @sa @ref get() for pointer-member access
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename ValueType,
+            typename std::enable_if<not std::is_pointer<ValueType>::value,
+                                    int>::type = 0>
+  ValueType get() const
+  {
+    return get_impl(static_cast<ValueType *>(nullptr));
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief get a pointer value (explicit)
+
+  Explicit pointer access to the internally stored JSON value. No copies are
+  made.
+
+  @warning The pointer becomes invalid if the underlying JSON object
+  changes.
+
+  @tparam PointerType pointer type; must be a pointer to @ref array_t, @ref
+  object_t, @ref string_t, @ref boolean_t, @ref number_integer_t,
+  @ref number_unsigned_t, or @ref number_float_t.
+
+  @return pointer to the internally stored JSON value if the requested
+  pointer type @a PointerType fits to the JSON value; `nullptr` otherwise
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how pointers to internal values of a
+  JSON value can be requested. Note that no type conversions are made and a
+  `nullptr` is returned if the value and the requested pointer type does not
+  match.,get__PointerType}
+
+  @sa @ref get_ptr() for explicit pointer-member access
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename PointerType,
+            typename std::enable_if<std::is_pointer<PointerType>::value,
+                                    int>::type = 0>
+  PointerType get() noexcept
+  {
+    // delegate the call to get_ptr
+    return get_ptr<PointerType>();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief get a pointer value (explicit)
+  @copydoc get()
+  */
+  template <typename PointerType,
+            typename std::enable_if<std::is_pointer<PointerType>::value,
+                                    int>::type = 0>
+  constexpr const PointerType get() const noexcept
+  {
+    // delegate the call to get_ptr
+    return get_ptr<PointerType>();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief get a pointer value (implicit)
+
+  Implicit pointer access to the internally stored JSON value. No copies are
+  made.
+
+  @warning Writing data to the pointee of the result yields an undefined
+  state.
+
+  @tparam PointerType pointer type; must be a pointer to @ref array_t, @ref
+  object_t, @ref string_t, @ref boolean_t, @ref number_integer_t,
+  @ref number_unsigned_t, or @ref number_float_t. Enforced by a static
+  assertion.
+
+  @return pointer to the internally stored JSON value if the requested
+  pointer type @a PointerType fits to the JSON value; `nullptr` otherwise
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how pointers to internal values of a
+  JSON value can be requested. Note that no type conversions are made and a
+  `nullptr` is returned if the value and the requested pointer type does not
+  match.,get_ptr}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename PointerType,
+            typename std::enable_if<std::is_pointer<PointerType>::value,
+                                    int>::type = 0>
+  PointerType get_ptr() noexcept
+  {
+    // get the type of the PointerType (remove pointer and const)
+    using pointee_t = typename std::remove_const<typename std::remove_pointer<
+        typename std::remove_const<PointerType>::type>::type>::type;
+    // make sure the type matches the allowed types
+    static_assert(std::is_same<object_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<array_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<string_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<boolean_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<number_integer_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<number_unsigned_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<number_float_t, pointee_t>::value,
+                  "incompatible pointer type");
+
+    // delegate the call to get_impl_ptr<>()
+    return get_impl_ptr(static_cast<PointerType>(nullptr));
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief get a pointer value (implicit)
+  @copydoc get_ptr()
+  */
+  template <
+      typename PointerType,
+      typename std::enable_if<std::is_pointer<PointerType>::value and
+                                  std::is_const<typename std::remove_pointer<
+                                      PointerType>::type>::value,
+                              int>::type = 0>
+  constexpr const PointerType get_ptr() const noexcept
+  {
+    // get the type of the PointerType (remove pointer and const)
+    using pointee_t = typename std::remove_const<typename std::remove_pointer<
+        typename std::remove_const<PointerType>::type>::type>::type;
+    // make sure the type matches the allowed types
+    static_assert(std::is_same<object_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<array_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<string_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<boolean_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<number_integer_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<number_unsigned_t, pointee_t>::value or
+                      std::is_same<number_float_t, pointee_t>::value,
+                  "incompatible pointer type");
+
+    // delegate the call to get_impl_ptr<>() const
+    return get_impl_ptr(static_cast<const PointerType>(nullptr));
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief get a reference value (implicit)
+
+  Implict reference access to the internally stored JSON value. No copies
+  are made.
+
+  @warning Writing data to the referee of the result yields an undefined
+  state.
+
+  @tparam ReferenceType reference type; must be a reference to @ref array_t,
+  @ref object_t, @ref string_t, @ref boolean_t, @ref number_integer_t, or
+  @ref number_float_t. Enforced by static assertion.
+
+  @return reference to the internally stored JSON value if the requested
+  reference type @a ReferenceType fits to the JSON value; throws
+  std::domain_error otherwise
+
+  @throw std::domain_error in case passed type @a ReferenceType is
+  incompatible with the stored JSON value
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The example shows several calls to `get_ref()`.,get_ref}
+
+  @since version 1.1.0
+  */
+  template <typename ReferenceType,
+            typename std::enable_if<std::is_reference<ReferenceType>::value,
+                                    int>::type = 0>
+  ReferenceType get_ref()
+  {
+    // delegate call to get_ref_impl
+    return get_ref_impl<ReferenceType>(*this);
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief get a reference value (implicit)
+  @copydoc get_ref()
+  */
+  template <
+      typename ReferenceType,
+      typename std::enable_if<std::is_reference<ReferenceType>::value and
+                                  std::is_const<typename std::remove_reference<
+                                      ReferenceType>::type>::value,
+                              int>::type = 0>
+  ReferenceType get_ref() const
+  {
+    // delegate call to get_ref_impl
+    return get_ref_impl<ReferenceType>(*this);
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief get a value (implicit)
+
+  Implicit type conversion between the JSON value and a compatible value.
+  The call is realized by calling @ref get() const.
+
+  @tparam ValueType non-pointer type compatible to the JSON value, for
+  instance `int` for JSON integer numbers, `bool` for JSON booleans, or
+  `std::vector` types for JSON arrays. The character type of @ref string_t
+  as well as an initializer list of this type is excluded to avoid
+  ambiguities as these types implicitly convert to `std::string`.
+
+  @return copy of the JSON value, converted to type @a ValueType
+
+  @throw std::domain_error in case passed type @a ValueType is incompatible
+  to JSON, thrown by @ref get() const
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows several conversions from JSON values
+  to other types. There a few things to note: (1) Floating-point numbers can
+  be converted to integers\, (2) A JSON array can be converted to a standard
+  `std::vector<short>`\, (3) A JSON object can be converted to C++
+  associative containers such as `std::unordered_map<std::string\,
+  json>`.,operator__ValueType}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <
+      typename ValueType,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          not std::is_pointer<ValueType>::value and
+              not std::is_same<ValueType, typename string_t::value_type>::value
+#ifndef _MSC_VER // fix for issue #167 operator<< abiguity under VS2015
+              and
+              not std::is_same<
+                  ValueType,
+                  std::initializer_list<typename string_t::value_type>>::value
+#endif
+          ,
+          int>::type = 0>
+  operator ValueType() const
+  {
+    // delegate the call to get<>() const
+    return get<ValueType>();
+  }
 
-            default:
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use construct with iterators from " + first.m_object->type_name()));
-            }
-        }
+  /// @}
 
-        assert_invariant();
-    }
+  ////////////////////
+  // element access //
+  ////////////////////
 
-    /*!
-    @brief construct a JSON value given an input stream
+  /// @name element access
+  /// Access to the JSON value.
+  /// @{
 
-    @param[in,out] i  stream to read a serialized JSON value from
-    @param[in] cb a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
-    which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
-    (optional)
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified array element with bounds checking
 
-    @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
-    LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
-    @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
+  Returns a reference to the element at specified location @a idx, with
+  bounds checking.
 
-    @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+  @param[in] idx  index of the element to access
 
-    @deprecated This constructor is deprecated and will be removed in version
-      3.0.0 to unify the interface of the library. Deserialization will be
-      done by stream operators or by calling one of the `parse` functions,
-      e.g. @ref parse(std::istream&, const parser_callback_t). That is, calls
-      like `json j(i);` for an input stream @a i need to be replaced by
-      `json j = json::parse(i);`. See the example below.
+  @return reference to the element at index @a idx
 
-    @liveexample{The example below demonstrates constructing a JSON value from
-    a `std::stringstream` with and without callback
-    function.,basic_json__istream}
+  @throw std::domain_error if the JSON value is not an array; example:
+  `"cannot use at() with string"`
+  @throw std::out_of_range if the index @a idx is out of range of the array;
+  that is, `idx >= size()`; example: `"array index 7 is out of range"`
 
-    @since version 2.0.0, deprecated in version 2.0.3, to be removed in
-           version 3.0.0
-    */
-    JSON_DEPRECATED
-    explicit basic_json(std::istream& i, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how array elements can be read and
+  written using `at()`.,at__size_type}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reference at(size_type idx)
+  {
+    // at only works for arrays
+    if (is_array())
     {
-        *this = parser(i, cb).parse();
-        assert_invariant();
+      JSON_TRY { return m_value.array->at(idx); }
+      JSON_CATCH(std::out_of_range &)
+      {
+        // create better exception explanation
+        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("array index " + std::to_string(idx) +
+                                     " is out of range"));
+      }
     }
+    else
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use at() with " + type_name()));
+    }
+  }
 
-    ///////////////////////////////////////
-    // other constructors and destructor //
-    ///////////////////////////////////////
-
-    /*!
-    @brief copy constructor
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified array element with bounds checking
 
-    Creates a copy of a given JSON value.
+  Returns a const reference to the element at specified location @a idx,
+  with bounds checking.
 
-    @param[in] other  the JSON value to copy
+  @param[in] idx  index of the element to access
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of @a other.
+  @return const reference to the element at index @a idx
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is linear.
-    - As postcondition, it holds: `other == basic_json(other)`.
+  @throw std::domain_error if the JSON value is not an array; example:
+  `"cannot use at() with string"`
+  @throw std::out_of_range if the index @a idx is out of range of the array;
+  that is, `idx >= size()`; example: `"array index 7 is out of range"`
 
-    @throw std::bad_alloc if allocation for object, array, or string fails.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for the copy
-    constructor.,basic_json__basic_json}
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how array elements can be read using
+  `at()`.,at__size_type_const}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(const basic_json& other)
-        : m_type(other.m_type)
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  const_reference at(size_type idx) const
+  {
+    // at only works for arrays
+    if (is_array())
+    {
+      JSON_TRY { return m_value.array->at(idx); }
+      JSON_CATCH(std::out_of_range &)
+      {
+        // create better exception explanation
+        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("array index " + std::to_string(idx) +
+                                     " is out of range"));
+      }
+    }
+    else
     {
-        // check of passed value is valid
-        other.assert_invariant();
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use at() with " + type_name()));
+    }
+  }
 
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                m_value = *other.m_value.object;
-                break;
-            }
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified object element with bounds checking
 
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                m_value = *other.m_value.array;
-                break;
-            }
+  Returns a reference to the element at with specified key @a key, with
+  bounds checking.
 
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                m_value = *other.m_value.string;
-                break;
-            }
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
 
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            {
-                m_value = other.m_value.boolean;
-                break;
-            }
+  @return reference to the element at key @a key
 
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            {
-                m_value = other.m_value.number_integer;
-                break;
-            }
+  @throw std::domain_error if the JSON value is not an object; example:
+  `"cannot use at() with boolean"`
+  @throw std::out_of_range if the key @a key is is not stored in the object;
+  that is, `find(key) == end()`; example: `"key "the fast" not found"`
 
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            {
-                m_value = other.m_value.number_unsigned;
-                break;
-            }
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
 
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            {
-                m_value = other.m_value.number_float;
-                break;
-            }
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read and
+  written using `at()`.,at__object_t_key_type}
 
-            default:
-            {
-                break;
-            }
-        }
+  @sa @ref operator[](const typename object_t::key_type&) for unchecked
+  access by reference
+  @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
 
-        assert_invariant();
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reference at(const typename object_t::key_type &key)
+  {
+    // at only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
+    {
+      JSON_TRY { return m_value.object->at(key); }
+      JSON_CATCH(std::out_of_range &)
+      {
+        // create better exception explanation
+        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("key '" + key + "' not found"));
+      }
     }
+    else
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use at() with " + type_name()));
+    }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief move constructor
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified object element with bounds checking
 
-    Move constructor. Constructs a JSON value with the contents of the given
-    value @a other using move semantics. It "steals" the resources from @a
-    other and leaves it as JSON null value.
+  Returns a const reference to the element at with specified key @a key,
+  with bounds checking.
 
-    @param[in,out] other  value to move to this object
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
 
-    @post @a other is a JSON null value
+  @return const reference to the element at key @a key
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @throw std::domain_error if the JSON value is not an object; example:
+  `"cannot use at() with boolean"`
+  @throw std::out_of_range if the key @a key is is not stored in the object;
+  that is, `find(key) == end()`; example: `"key "the fast" not found"`
 
-    @liveexample{The code below shows the move constructor explicitly called
-    via std::move.,basic_json__moveconstructor}
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json(basic_json&& other) noexcept
-        : m_type(std::move(other.m_type)),
-          m_value(std::move(other.m_value))
-    {
-        // check that passed value is valid
-        other.assert_invariant();
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read using
+  `at()`.,at__object_t_key_type_const}
 
-        // invalidate payload
-        other.m_type = value_t::null;
-        other.m_value = {};
+  @sa @ref operator[](const typename object_t::key_type&) for unchecked
+  access by reference
+  @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
 
-        assert_invariant();
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  const_reference at(const typename object_t::key_type &key) const
+  {
+    // at only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
+    {
+      JSON_TRY { return m_value.object->at(key); }
+      JSON_CATCH(std::out_of_range &)
+      {
+        // create better exception explanation
+        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("key '" + key + "' not found"));
+      }
     }
+    else
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use at() with " + type_name()));
+    }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief copy assignment
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified array element
 
-    Copy assignment operator. Copies a JSON value via the "copy and swap"
-    strategy: It is expressed in terms of the copy constructor, destructor,
-    and the swap() member function.
+  Returns a reference to the element at specified location @a idx.
 
-    @param[in] other  value to copy from
+  @note If @a idx is beyond the range of the array (i.e., `idx >= size()`),
+  then the array is silently filled up with `null` values to make `idx` a
+  valid reference to the last stored element.
 
-    @complexity Linear.
+  @param[in] idx  index of the element to access
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is linear.
+  @return reference to the element at index @a idx
 
-    @liveexample{The code below shows and example for the copy assignment. It
-    creates a copy of value `a` which is then swapped with `b`. Finally\, the
-    copy of `a` (which is the null value after the swap) is
-    destroyed.,basic_json__copyassignment}
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an array or null; example:
+  `"cannot use operator[] with string"`
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reference& operator=(basic_json other) noexcept (
-        std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<value_t>::value and
-        std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<value_t>::value and
-        std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<json_value>::value and
-        std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<json_value>::value
-    )
+  @complexity Constant if @a idx is in the range of the array. Otherwise
+  linear in `idx - size()`.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how array elements can be read and
+  written using `[]` operator. Note the addition of `null`
+  values.,operatorarray__size_type}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reference operator[](size_type idx)
+  {
+    // implicitly convert null value to an empty array
+    if (is_null())
     {
-        // check that passed value is valid
-        other.assert_invariant();
+      m_type = value_t::array;
+      m_value.array = create<array_t>();
+      assert_invariant();
+    }
 
-        using std::swap;
-        swap(m_type, other.m_type);
-        swap(m_value, other.m_value);
+    // operator[] only works for arrays
+    if (is_array())
+    {
+      // fill up array with null values if given idx is outside range
+      if (idx >= m_value.array->size())
+      {
+        m_value.array->insert(m_value.array->end(),
+                              idx - m_value.array->size() + 1, basic_json());
+      }
 
-        assert_invariant();
-        return *this;
+      return m_value.array->operator[](idx);
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief destructor
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-    Destroys the JSON value and frees all allocated memory.
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified array element
 
-    @complexity Linear.
+  Returns a const reference to the element at specified location @a idx.
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is linear.
-    - All stored elements are destroyed and all memory is freed.
+  @param[in] idx  index of the element to access
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    ~basic_json()
-    {
-        assert_invariant();
+  @return const reference to the element at index @a idx
 
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                AllocatorType<object_t> alloc;
-                alloc.destroy(m_value.object);
-                alloc.deallocate(m_value.object, 1);
-                break;
-            }
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an array; example: `"cannot use
+  operator[] with null"`
 
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                AllocatorType<array_t> alloc;
-                alloc.destroy(m_value.array);
-                alloc.deallocate(m_value.array, 1);
-                break;
-            }
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                AllocatorType<string_t> alloc;
-                alloc.destroy(m_value.string);
-                alloc.deallocate(m_value.string, 1);
-                break;
-            }
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how array elements can be read using
+  the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__size_type_const}
 
-            default:
-            {
-                // all other types need no specific destructor
-                break;
-            }
-        }
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  const_reference operator[](size_type idx) const
+  {
+    // const operator[] only works for arrays
+    if (is_array())
+    {
+      return m_value.array->operator[](idx);
     }
 
-    /// @}
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-  public:
-    ///////////////////////
-    // object inspection //
-    ///////////////////////
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified object element
 
-    /// @name object inspection
-    /// Functions to inspect the type of a JSON value.
-    /// @{
+  Returns a reference to the element at with specified key @a key.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief serialization
+  @note If @a key is not found in the object, then it is silently added to
+  the object and filled with a `null` value to make `key` a valid reference.
+  In case the value was `null` before, it is converted to an object.
 
-    Serialization function for JSON values. The function tries to mimic
-    Python's `json.dumps()` function, and currently supports its @a indent
-    parameter.
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
 
-    @param[in] indent If indent is nonnegative, then array elements and object
-    members will be pretty-printed with that indent level. An indent level of
-    `0` will only insert newlines. `-1` (the default) selects the most compact
-    representation.
+  @return reference to the element at key @a key
 
-    @return string containing the serialization of the JSON value
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object or null; example:
+  `"cannot use operator[] with string"`
 
-    @complexity Linear.
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
 
-    @liveexample{The following example shows the effect of different @a indent
-    parameters to the result of the serialization.,dump}
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read and
+  written using the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type}
 
-    @see https://docs.python.org/2/library/json.html#json.dump
+  @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
+  with range checking
+  @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    string_t dump(const int indent = -1) const
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reference operator[](const typename object_t::key_type &key)
+  {
+    // implicitly convert null value to an empty object
+    if (is_null())
     {
-        std::stringstream ss;
-        // fix locale problems
-        ss.imbue(std::locale::classic());
-
-        // 6, 15 or 16 digits of precision allows round-trip IEEE 754
-        // string->float->string, string->double->string or string->long
-        // double->string; to be safe, we read this value from
-        // std::numeric_limits<number_float_t>::digits10
-        ss.precision(std::numeric_limits<double>::digits10);
-
-        if (indent >= 0)
-        {
-            dump(ss, true, static_cast<unsigned int>(indent));
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            dump(ss, false, 0);
-        }
+      m_type = value_t::object;
+      m_value.object = create<object_t>();
+      assert_invariant();
+    }
 
-        return ss.str();
+    // operator[] only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
+    {
+      return m_value.object->operator[](key);
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return the type of the JSON value (explicit)
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-    Return the type of the JSON value as a value from the @ref value_t
-    enumeration.
+  /*!
+  @brief read-only access specified object element
 
-    @return the type of the JSON value
+  Returns a const reference to the element at with specified key @a key. No
+  bounds checking is performed.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @warning If the element with key @a key does not exist, the behavior is
+  undefined.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `type()` for all JSON
-    types.,type}
+  @return const reference to the element at key @a key
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr value_t type() const noexcept
-    {
-        return m_type;
-    }
+  @pre The element with key @a key must exist. **This precondition is
+       enforced with an assertion.**
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether type is primitive
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
+  operator[] with null"`
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON type is primitive (string, number,
-    boolean, or null).
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
 
-    @return `true` if type is primitive (string, number, boolean, or null),
-    `false` otherwise.
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read using
+  the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type_const}
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
+  with range checking
+  @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  const_reference operator[](const typename object_t::key_type &key) const
+  {
+    // const operator[] only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
+    {
+      assert(m_value.object->find(key) != m_value.object->end());
+      return m_value.object->find(key)->second;
+    }
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_primitive()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_primitive}
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-    @sa @ref is_structured() -- returns whether JSON value is structured
-    @sa @ref is_null() -- returns whether JSON value is `null`
-    @sa @ref is_string() -- returns whether JSON value is a string
-    @sa @ref is_boolean() -- returns whether JSON value is a boolean
-    @sa @ref is_number() -- returns whether JSON value is a number
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified object element
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_primitive() const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_null() or is_string() or is_boolean() or is_number();
-    }
+  Returns a reference to the element at with specified key @a key.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether type is structured
+  @note If @a key is not found in the object, then it is silently added to
+  the object and filled with a `null` value to make `key` a valid reference.
+  In case the value was `null` before, it is converted to an object.
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON type is structured (array or
-    object).
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
 
-    @return `true` if type is structured (array or object), `false` otherwise.
+  @return reference to the element at key @a key
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object or null; example:
+  `"cannot use operator[] with string"`
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_structured()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_structured}
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read and
+  written using the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type}
 
-    @sa @ref is_primitive() -- returns whether value is primitive
-    @sa @ref is_array() -- returns whether value is an array
-    @sa @ref is_object() -- returns whether value is an object
+  @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
+  with range checking
+  @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_structured() const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_array() or is_object();
-    }
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename T, std::size_t n> reference operator[](T *(&key)[n])
+  {
+    return operator[](static_cast<const T>(key));
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is null
+  /*!
+  @brief read-only access specified object element
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is null.
+  Returns a const reference to the element at with specified key @a key. No
+  bounds checking is performed.
 
-    @return `true` if type is null, `false` otherwise.
+  @warning If the element with key @a key does not exist, the behavior is
+  undefined.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @note This function is required for compatibility reasons with Clang.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_null()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_null}
+  @return const reference to the element at key @a key
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_null() const noexcept
-    {
-        return m_type == value_t::null;
-    }
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
+  operator[] with null"`
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is a boolean
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is a boolean.
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read using
+  the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type_const}
 
-    @return `true` if type is boolean, `false` otherwise.
+  @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
+  with range checking
+  @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename T, std::size_t n>
+  const_reference operator[](T *(&key)[n]) const
+  {
+    return operator[](static_cast<const T>(key));
+  }
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified object element
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_boolean()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_boolean}
+  Returns a reference to the element at with specified key @a key.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_boolean() const noexcept
-    {
-        return m_type == value_t::boolean;
-    }
+  @note If @a key is not found in the object, then it is silently added to
+  the object and filled with a `null` value to make `key` a valid reference.
+  In case the value was `null` before, it is converted to an object.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is a number
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is a number. This includes
-    both integer and floating-point values.
+  @return reference to the element at key @a key
 
-    @return `true` if type is number (regardless whether integer, unsigned
-    integer or floating-type), `false` otherwise.
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object or null; example:
+  `"cannot use operator[] with string"`
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read and
+  written using the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type}
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_number()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_number}
+  @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
+  with range checking
+  @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
 
-    @sa @ref is_number_integer() -- check if value is an integer or unsigned
-    integer number
-    @sa @ref is_number_unsigned() -- check if value is an unsigned integer
-    number
-    @sa @ref is_number_float() -- check if value is a floating-point number
+  @since version 1.1.0
+  */
+  template <typename T> reference operator[](T *key)
+  {
+    // implicitly convert null to object
+    if (is_null())
+    {
+      m_type = value_t::object;
+      m_value = value_t::object;
+      assert_invariant();
+    }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_number() const noexcept
+    // at only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
     {
-        return is_number_integer() or is_number_float();
+      return m_value.object->operator[](key);
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is an integer number
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is an integer or unsigned
-    integer number. This excludes floating-point values.
+  /*!
+  @brief read-only access specified object element
 
-    @return `true` if type is an integer or unsigned integer number, `false`
-    otherwise.
+  Returns a const reference to the element at with specified key @a key. No
+  bounds checking is performed.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @warning If the element with key @a key does not exist, the behavior is
+  undefined.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_number_integer()` for all
-    JSON types.,is_number_integer}
+  @return const reference to the element at key @a key
 
-    @sa @ref is_number() -- check if value is a number
-    @sa @ref is_number_unsigned() -- check if value is an unsigned integer
-    number
-    @sa @ref is_number_float() -- check if value is a floating-point number
+  @pre The element with key @a key must exist. **This precondition is
+       enforced with an assertion.**
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_number_integer() const noexcept
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
+  operator[] with null"`
+
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read using
+  the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type_const}
+
+  @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
+  with range checking
+  @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
+
+  @since version 1.1.0
+  */
+  template <typename T> const_reference operator[](T *key) const
+  {
+    // at only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
     {
-        return m_type == value_t::number_integer or m_type == value_t::number_unsigned;
+      assert(m_value.object->find(key) != m_value.object->end());
+      return m_value.object->find(key)->second;
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is an unsigned integer number
-
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is an unsigned integer
-    number. This excludes floating-point and (signed) integer values.
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-    @return `true` if type is an unsigned integer number, `false` otherwise.
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified object element with default value
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  Returns either a copy of an object's element at the specified key @a key
+  or a given default value if no element with key @a key exists.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  The function is basically equivalent to executing
+  @code {.cpp}
+  try {
+      return at(key);
+  } catch(std::out_of_range) {
+      return default_value;
+  }
+  @endcode
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_number_unsigned()` for all
-    JSON types.,is_number_unsigned}
+  @note Unlike @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&), this function
+  does not throw if the given key @a key was not found.
 
-    @sa @ref is_number() -- check if value is a number
-    @sa @ref is_number_integer() -- check if value is an integer or unsigned
-    integer number
-    @sa @ref is_number_float() -- check if value is a floating-point number
+  @note Unlike @ref operator[](const typename object_t::key_type& key), this
+  function does not implicitly add an element to the position defined by @a
+  key. This function is furthermore also applicable to const objects.
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_number_unsigned() const noexcept
-    {
-        return m_type == value_t::number_unsigned;
-    }
+  @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  @param[in] default_value  the value to return if @a key is not found
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is a floating-point number
+  @tparam ValueType type compatible to JSON values, for instance `int` for
+  JSON integer numbers, `bool` for JSON booleans, or `std::vector` types for
+  JSON arrays. Note the type of the expected value at @a key and the default
+  value @a default_value must be compatible.
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is a floating-point number.
-    This excludes integer and unsigned integer values.
+  @return copy of the element at key @a key or @a default_value if @a key
+  is not found
 
-    @return `true` if type is a floating-point number, `false` otherwise.
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
+  value() with null"`
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be queried
+  with a default value.,basic_json__value}
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_number_float()` for all
-    JSON types.,is_number_float}
+  @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
+  with range checking
+  @sa @ref operator[](const typename object_t::key_type&) for unchecked
+  access by reference
 
-    @sa @ref is_number() -- check if value is number
-    @sa @ref is_number_integer() -- check if value is an integer number
-    @sa @ref is_number_unsigned() -- check if value is an unsigned integer
-    number
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <
+      class ValueType,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, ValueType>::value, int>::type = 0>
+  ValueType value(const typename object_t::key_type &key,
+                  ValueType default_value) const
+  {
+    // at only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
+    {
+      // if key is found, return value and given default value otherwise
+      const auto it = find(key);
+      if (it != end())
+      {
+        return *it;
+      }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_number_float() const noexcept
+      return default_value;
+    }
+    else
     {
-        return m_type == value_t::number_float;
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use value() with " + type_name()));
     }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is an object
+  /*!
+  @brief overload for a default value of type const char*
+  @copydoc basic_json::value(const typename object_t::key_type&, ValueType)
+  const
+  */
+  string_t value(const typename object_t::key_type &key,
+                 const char *default_value) const
+  {
+    return value(key, string_t(default_value));
+  }
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is an object.
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified object element via JSON Pointer with default value
 
-    @return `true` if type is object, `false` otherwise.
+  Returns either a copy of an object's element at the specified key @a key
+  or a given default value if no element with key @a key exists.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  The function is basically equivalent to executing
+  @code {.cpp}
+  try {
+      return at(ptr);
+  } catch(std::out_of_range) {
+      return default_value;
+  }
+  @endcode
+
+  @note Unlike @ref at(const json_pointer&), this function does not throw
+  if the given key @a key was not found.
+
+  @param[in] ptr  a JSON pointer to the element to access
+  @param[in] default_value  the value to return if @a ptr found no value
+
+  @tparam ValueType type compatible to JSON values, for instance `int` for
+  JSON integer numbers, `bool` for JSON booleans, or `std::vector` types for
+  JSON arrays. Note the type of the expected value at @a key and the default
+  value @a default_value must be compatible.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @return copy of the element at key @a key or @a default_value if @a key
+  is not found
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_object()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_object}
+  @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
+  value() with null"`
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_object() const noexcept
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be queried
+  with a default value.,basic_json__value_ptr}
+
+  @sa @ref operator[](const json_pointer&) for unchecked access by reference
+
+  @since version 2.0.2
+  */
+  template <
+      class ValueType,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, ValueType>::value, int>::type = 0>
+  ValueType value(const json_pointer &ptr, ValueType default_value) const
+  {
+    // at only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
     {
-        return m_type == value_t::object;
+      // if pointer resolves a value, return it or use default value
+      JSON_TRY { return ptr.get_checked(this); }
+      JSON_CATCH(std::out_of_range &) { return default_value; }
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is an array
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use value() with " + type_name()));
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief overload for a default value of type const char*
+  @copydoc basic_json::value(const json_pointer&, ValueType) const
+  */
+  string_t value(const json_pointer &ptr, const char *default_value) const
+  {
+    return value(ptr, string_t(default_value));
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief access the first element
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is an array.
+  Returns a reference to the first element in the container. For a JSON
+  container `c`, the expression `c.front()` is equivalent to `*c.begin()`.
 
-    @return `true` if type is array, `false` otherwise.
+  @return In case of a structured type (array or object), a reference to the
+  first element is returned. In case of number, string, or boolean values, a
+  reference to the value is returned.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @pre The JSON value must not be `null` (would throw `std::out_of_range`)
+  or an empty array or object (undefined behavior, **guarded by
+  assertions**).
+  @post The JSON value remains unchanged.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_array()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_array}
+  @throw std::out_of_range when called on `null` value
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_array() const noexcept
-    {
-        return m_type == value_t::array;
-    }
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `front()`.,front}
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is a string
+  @sa @ref back() -- access the last element
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value is a string.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reference front() { return *begin(); }
 
-    @return `true` if type is string, `false` otherwise.
+  /*!
+  @copydoc basic_json::front()
+  */
+  const_reference front() const { return *cbegin(); }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  /*!
+  @brief access the last element
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  Returns a reference to the last element in the container. For a JSON
+  container `c`, the expression `c.back()` is equivalent to
+  @code {.cpp}
+  auto tmp = c.end();
+  --tmp;
+  return *tmp;
+  @endcode
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_string()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_string}
+  @return In case of a structured type (array or object), a reference to the
+  last element is returned. In case of number, string, or boolean values, a
+  reference to the value is returned.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_string() const noexcept
-    {
-        return m_type == value_t::string;
-    }
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return whether value is discarded
+  @pre The JSON value must not be `null` (would throw `std::out_of_range`)
+  or an empty array or object (undefined behavior, **guarded by
+  assertions**).
+  @post The JSON value remains unchanged.
 
-    This function returns true iff the JSON value was discarded during parsing
-    with a callback function (see @ref parser_callback_t).
+  @throw std::out_of_range when called on `null` value.
 
-    @note This function will always be `false` for JSON values after parsing.
-    That is, discarded values can only occur during parsing, but will be
-    removed when inside a structured value or replaced by null in other cases.
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `back()`.,back}
 
-    @return `true` if type is discarded, `false` otherwise.
+  @sa @ref front() -- access the first element
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reference back()
+  {
+    auto tmp = end();
+    --tmp;
+    return *tmp;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @copydoc basic_json::back()
+  */
+  const_reference back() const
+  {
+    auto tmp = cend();
+    --tmp;
+    return *tmp;
+  }
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  /*!
+  @brief remove element given an iterator
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies `is_discarded()` for all JSON
-    types.,is_discarded}
+  Removes the element specified by iterator @a pos. The iterator @a pos must
+  be valid and dereferenceable. Thus the `end()` iterator (which is valid,
+  but is not dereferenceable) cannot be used as a value for @a pos.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr bool is_discarded() const noexcept
-    {
-        return m_type == value_t::discarded;
-    }
+  If called on a primitive type other than `null`, the resulting JSON value
+  will be `null`.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return the type of the JSON value (implicit)
+  @param[in] pos iterator to the element to remove
+  @return Iterator following the last removed element. If the iterator @a
+  pos refers to the last element, the `end()` iterator is returned.
 
-    Implicitly return the type of the JSON value as a value from the @ref
-    value_t enumeration.
+  @tparam IteratorType an @ref iterator or @ref const_iterator
 
-    @return the type of the JSON value
+  @post Invalidates iterators and references at or after the point of the
+  erase, including the `end()` iterator.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @throw std::domain_error if called on a `null` value; example: `"cannot
+  use erase() with null"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if called on an iterator which does not belong to
+  the current JSON value; example: `"iterator does not fit current value"`
+  @throw std::out_of_range if called on a primitive type with invalid
+  iterator (i.e., any iterator which is not `begin()`); example: `"iterator
+  out of range"`
 
-    @exceptionsafety No-throw guarantee: this member function never throws
-    exceptions.
+  @complexity The complexity depends on the type:
+  - objects: amortized constant
+  - arrays: linear in distance between pos and the end of the container
+  - strings: linear in the length of the string
+  - other types: constant
 
-    @liveexample{The following code exemplifies the @ref value_t operator for
-    all JSON types.,operator__value_t}
+  @liveexample{The example shows the result of `erase()` for different JSON
+  types.,erase__IteratorType}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    constexpr operator value_t() const noexcept
+  @sa @ref erase(IteratorType, IteratorType) -- removes the elements in
+  the given range
+  @sa @ref erase(const typename object_t::key_type&) -- removes the element
+  from an object at the given key
+  @sa @ref erase(const size_type) -- removes the element from an array at
+  the given index
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <
+      class IteratorType,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          std::is_same<IteratorType, typename basic_json_t::iterator>::value or
+              std::is_same<IteratorType,
+                           typename basic_json_t::const_iterator>::value,
+          int>::type = 0>
+  IteratorType erase(IteratorType pos)
+  {
+    // make sure iterator fits the current value
+    if (this != pos.m_object)
     {
-        return m_type;
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
     }
 
-    /// @}
-
-  private:
-    //////////////////
-    // value access //
-    //////////////////
+    IteratorType result = end();
 
-    /// get an object (explicit)
-    template<class T, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_convertible<typename object_t::key_type, typename T::key_type>::value and
-                 std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, typename T::mapped_type>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    T get_impl(T* /*unused*/) const
+    switch (m_type)
     {
-        if (is_object())
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        if (not pos.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin())
         {
-            return T(m_value.object->begin(), m_value.object->end());
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("iterator out of range"));
         }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be object, but is " + type_name()));
-    }
-
-    /// get an object (explicit)
-    object_t get_impl(object_t* /*unused*/) const
-    {
-        if (is_object())
+        if (is_string())
         {
-            return *(m_value.object);
+          AllocatorType<string_t> alloc;
+          alloc.destroy(m_value.string);
+          alloc.deallocate(m_value.string, 1);
+          m_value.string = nullptr;
         }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be object, but is " + type_name()));
+        m_type = value_t::null;
+        assert_invariant();
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        result.m_it.object_iterator =
+            m_value.object->erase(pos.m_it.object_iterator);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        result.m_it.array_iterator =
+            m_value.array->erase(pos.m_it.array_iterator);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use erase() with " + type_name()));
+      }
     }
 
-    /// get an array (explicit)
-    template<class T, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, typename T::value_type>::value and
-                 not std::is_same<basic_json_t, typename T::value_type>::value and
-                 not std::is_arithmetic<T>::value and
-                 not std::is_convertible<std::string, T>::value and
-                 not has_mapped_type<T>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    T get_impl(T* /*unused*/) const
-    {
-        if (is_array())
-        {
-            T to_vector;
-            std::transform(m_value.array->begin(), m_value.array->end(),
-                           std::inserter(to_vector, to_vector.end()), [](basic_json i)
-            {
-                return i.get<typename T::value_type>();
-            });
-            return to_vector;
-        }
+    return result;
+  }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be array, but is " + type_name()));
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief remove elements given an iterator range
 
-    /// get an array (explicit)
-    template<class T, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, T>::value and
-                 not std::is_same<basic_json_t, T>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    std::vector<T> get_impl(std::vector<T>* /*unused*/) const
-    {
-        if (is_array())
-        {
-            std::vector<T> to_vector;
-            to_vector.reserve(m_value.array->size());
-            std::transform(m_value.array->begin(), m_value.array->end(),
-                           std::inserter(to_vector, to_vector.end()), [](basic_json i)
-            {
-                return i.get<T>();
-            });
-            return to_vector;
-        }
+  Removes the element specified by the range `[first; last)`. The iterator
+  @a first does not need to be dereferenceable if `first == last`: erasing
+  an empty range is a no-op.
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be array, but is " + type_name()));
-    }
+  If called on a primitive type other than `null`, the resulting JSON value
+  will be `null`.
 
-    /// get an array (explicit)
-    template<class T, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_same<basic_json, typename T::value_type>::value and
-                 not has_mapped_type<T>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    T get_impl(T* /*unused*/) const
-    {
-        if (is_array())
-        {
-            return T(m_value.array->begin(), m_value.array->end());
-        }
+  @param[in] first iterator to the beginning of the range to remove
+  @param[in] last iterator past the end of the range to remove
+  @return Iterator following the last removed element. If the iterator @a
+  second refers to the last element, the `end()` iterator is returned.
+
+  @tparam IteratorType an @ref iterator or @ref const_iterator
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be array, but is " + type_name()));
+  @post Invalidates iterators and references at or after the point of the
+  erase, including the `end()` iterator.
+
+  @throw std::domain_error if called on a `null` value; example: `"cannot
+  use erase() with null"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if called on iterators which does not belong to
+  the current JSON value; example: `"iterators do not fit current value"`
+  @throw std::out_of_range if called on a primitive type with invalid
+  iterators (i.e., if `first != begin()` and `last != end()`); example:
+  `"iterators out of range"`
+
+  @complexity The complexity depends on the type:
+  - objects: `log(size()) + std::distance(first, last)`
+  - arrays: linear in the distance between @a first and @a last, plus linear
+    in the distance between @a last and end of the container
+  - strings: linear in the length of the string
+  - other types: constant
+
+  @liveexample{The example shows the result of `erase()` for different JSON
+  types.,erase__IteratorType_IteratorType}
+
+  @sa @ref erase(IteratorType) -- removes the element at a given position
+  @sa @ref erase(const typename object_t::key_type&) -- removes the element
+  from an object at the given key
+  @sa @ref erase(const size_type) -- removes the element from an array at
+  the given index
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <
+      class IteratorType,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          std::is_same<IteratorType, typename basic_json_t::iterator>::value or
+              std::is_same<IteratorType,
+                           typename basic_json_t::const_iterator>::value,
+          int>::type = 0>
+  IteratorType erase(IteratorType first, IteratorType last)
+  {
+    // make sure iterator fits the current value
+    if (this != first.m_object or this != last.m_object)
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterators do not fit current value"));
     }
 
-    /// get an array (explicit)
-    array_t get_impl(array_t* /*unused*/) const
+    IteratorType result = end();
+
+    switch (m_type)
     {
-        if (is_array())
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        if (not first.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin() or
+            not last.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_end())
         {
-            return *(m_value.array);
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("iterators out of range"));
         }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be array, but is " + type_name()));
-    }
-
-    /// get a string (explicit)
-    template<typename T, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_convertible<string_t, T>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    T get_impl(T* /*unused*/) const
-    {
         if (is_string())
         {
-            return *m_value.string;
+          AllocatorType<string_t> alloc;
+          alloc.destroy(m_value.string);
+          alloc.deallocate(m_value.string, 1);
+          m_value.string = nullptr;
         }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be string, but is " + type_name()));
+        m_type = value_t::null;
+        assert_invariant();
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        result.m_it.object_iterator = m_value.object->erase(
+            first.m_it.object_iterator, last.m_it.object_iterator);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        result.m_it.array_iterator = m_value.array->erase(
+            first.m_it.array_iterator, last.m_it.array_iterator);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use erase() with " + type_name()));
+      }
     }
 
-    /// get a number (explicit)
-    template<typename T, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_arithmetic<T>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    T get_impl(T* /*unused*/) const
-    {
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            {
-                return static_cast<T>(m_value.number_integer);
-            }
+    return result;
+  }
 
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            {
-                return static_cast<T>(m_value.number_unsigned);
-            }
+  /*!
+  @brief remove element from a JSON object given a key
 
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            {
-                return static_cast<T>(m_value.number_float);
-            }
+  Removes elements from a JSON object with the key value @a key.
 
-            default:
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be number, but is " + type_name()));
-            }
-        }
-    }
+  @param[in] key value of the elements to remove
 
-    /// get a boolean (explicit)
-    boolean_t get_impl(boolean_t* /*unused*/) const
-    {
-        if (is_boolean())
-        {
-            return m_value.boolean;
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("type must be boolean, but is " + type_name()));
-        }
-    }
-
-    /// get a pointer to the value (object)
-    object_t* get_impl_ptr(object_t* /*unused*/) noexcept
-    {
-        return is_object() ? m_value.object : nullptr;
-    }
-
-    /// get a pointer to the value (object)
-    constexpr const object_t* get_impl_ptr(const object_t* /*unused*/) const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_object() ? m_value.object : nullptr;
-    }
-
-    /// get a pointer to the value (array)
-    array_t* get_impl_ptr(array_t* /*unused*/) noexcept
-    {
-        return is_array() ? m_value.array : nullptr;
-    }
+  @return Number of elements removed. If @a ObjectType is the default
+  `std::map` type, the return value will always be `0` (@a key was not
+  found) or `1` (@a key was found).
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (array)
-    constexpr const array_t* get_impl_ptr(const array_t* /*unused*/) const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_array() ? m_value.array : nullptr;
-    }
+  @post References and iterators to the erased elements are invalidated.
+  Other references and iterators are not affected.
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (string)
-    string_t* get_impl_ptr(string_t* /*unused*/) noexcept
-    {
-        return is_string() ? m_value.string : nullptr;
-    }
+  @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON object;
+  example: `"cannot use erase() with null"`
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (string)
-    constexpr const string_t* get_impl_ptr(const string_t* /*unused*/) const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_string() ? m_value.string : nullptr;
-    }
+  @complexity `log(size()) + count(key)`
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (boolean)
-    boolean_t* get_impl_ptr(boolean_t* /*unused*/) noexcept
-    {
-        return is_boolean() ? &m_value.boolean : nullptr;
-    }
+  @liveexample{The example shows the effect of `erase()`.,erase__key_type}
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (boolean)
-    constexpr const boolean_t* get_impl_ptr(const boolean_t* /*unused*/) const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_boolean() ? &m_value.boolean : nullptr;
-    }
+  @sa @ref erase(IteratorType) -- removes the element at a given position
+  @sa @ref erase(IteratorType, IteratorType) -- removes the elements in
+  the given range
+  @sa @ref erase(const size_type) -- removes the element from an array at
+  the given index
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (integer number)
-    number_integer_t* get_impl_ptr(number_integer_t* /*unused*/) noexcept
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  size_type erase(const typename object_t::key_type &key)
+  {
+    // this erase only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
     {
-        return is_number_integer() ? &m_value.number_integer : nullptr;
+      return m_value.object->erase(key);
     }
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (integer number)
-    constexpr const number_integer_t* get_impl_ptr(const number_integer_t* /*unused*/) const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_number_integer() ? &m_value.number_integer : nullptr;
-    }
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use erase() with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (unsigned number)
-    number_unsigned_t* get_impl_ptr(number_unsigned_t* /*unused*/) noexcept
-    {
-        return is_number_unsigned() ? &m_value.number_unsigned : nullptr;
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief remove element from a JSON array given an index
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (unsigned number)
-    constexpr const number_unsigned_t* get_impl_ptr(const number_unsigned_t* /*unused*/) const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_number_unsigned() ? &m_value.number_unsigned : nullptr;
-    }
+  Removes element from a JSON array at the index @a idx.
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (floating-point number)
-    number_float_t* get_impl_ptr(number_float_t* /*unused*/) noexcept
-    {
-        return is_number_float() ? &m_value.number_float : nullptr;
-    }
+  @param[in] idx index of the element to remove
 
-    /// get a pointer to the value (floating-point number)
-    constexpr const number_float_t* get_impl_ptr(const number_float_t* /*unused*/) const noexcept
-    {
-        return is_number_float() ? &m_value.number_float : nullptr;
-    }
+  @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON array;
+  example: `"cannot use erase() with null"`
+  @throw std::out_of_range when `idx >= size()`; example: `"array index 17
+  is out of range"`
 
-    /*!
-    @brief helper function to implement get_ref()
+  @complexity Linear in distance between @a idx and the end of the container.
 
-    This funcion helps to implement get_ref() without code duplication for
-    const and non-const overloads
+  @liveexample{The example shows the effect of `erase()`.,erase__size_type}
 
-    @tparam ThisType will be deduced as `basic_json` or `const basic_json`
+  @sa @ref erase(IteratorType) -- removes the element at a given position
+  @sa @ref erase(IteratorType, IteratorType) -- removes the elements in
+  the given range
+  @sa @ref erase(const typename object_t::key_type&) -- removes the element
+  from an object at the given key
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if ReferenceType does not match underlying value
-    type of the current JSON
-    */
-    template<typename ReferenceType, typename ThisType>
-    static ReferenceType get_ref_impl(ThisType& obj)
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  void erase(const size_type idx)
+  {
+    // this erase only works for arrays
+    if (is_array())
     {
-        // helper type
-        using PointerType = typename std::add_pointer<ReferenceType>::type;
-
-        // delegate the call to get_ptr<>()
-        auto ptr = obj.template get_ptr<PointerType>();
-
-        if (ptr != nullptr)
-        {
-            return *ptr;
-        }
+      if (idx >= size())
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("array index " + std::to_string(idx) +
+                                     " is out of range"));
+      }
 
-        throw std::domain_error("incompatible ReferenceType for get_ref, actual type is " +
-                                obj.type_name());
+      m_value.array->erase(m_value.array->begin() +
+                           static_cast<difference_type>(idx));
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use erase() with " + type_name()));
     }
+  }
 
-  public:
+  /// @}
 
-    /// @name value access
-    /// Direct access to the stored value of a JSON value.
-    /// @{
+  ////////////
+  // lookup //
+  ////////////
 
-    /*!
-    @brief get a value (explicit)
+  /// @name lookup
+  /// @{
 
-    Explicit type conversion between the JSON value and a compatible value.
+  /*!
+  @brief find an element in a JSON object
 
-    @tparam ValueType non-pointer type compatible to the JSON value, for
-    instance `int` for JSON integer numbers, `bool` for JSON booleans, or
-    `std::vector` types for JSON arrays
+  Finds an element in a JSON object with key equivalent to @a key. If the
+  element is not found or the JSON value is not an object, end() is
+  returned.
 
-    @return copy of the JSON value, converted to type @a ValueType
+  @note This method always returns @ref end() when executed on a JSON type
+        that is not an object.
 
-    @throw std::domain_error in case passed type @a ValueType is incompatible
-    to JSON; example: `"type must be object, but is null"`
+  @param[in] key key value of the element to search for
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value.
+  @return Iterator to an element with key equivalent to @a key. If no such
+  element is found or the JSON value is not an object, past-the-end (see
+  @ref end()) iterator is returned.
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows several conversions from JSON values
-    to other types. There a few things to note: (1) Floating-point numbers can
-    be converted to integers\, (2) A JSON array can be converted to a standard
-    `std::vector<short>`\, (3) A JSON object can be converted to C++
-    associative containers such as `std::unordered_map<std::string\,
-    json>`.,get__ValueType_const}
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the JSON object.
 
-    @internal
-    The idea of using a casted null pointer to choose the correct
-    implementation is from <http://stackoverflow.com/a/8315197/266378>.
-    @endinternal
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `find()` is used.,find__key_type}
 
-    @sa @ref operator ValueType() const for implicit conversion
-    @sa @ref get() for pointer-member access
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  iterator find(typename object_t::key_type key)
+  {
+    auto result = end();
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename ValueType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 not std::is_pointer<ValueType>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    ValueType get() const
+    if (is_object())
     {
-        return get_impl(static_cast<ValueType*>(nullptr));
+      result.m_it.object_iterator = m_value.object->find(key);
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief get a pointer value (explicit)
-
-    Explicit pointer access to the internally stored JSON value. No copies are
-    made.
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    @warning The pointer becomes invalid if the underlying JSON object
-    changes.
+  /*!
+  @brief find an element in a JSON object
+  @copydoc find(typename object_t::key_type)
+  */
+  const_iterator find(typename object_t::key_type key) const
+  {
+    auto result = cend();
 
-    @tparam PointerType pointer type; must be a pointer to @ref array_t, @ref
-    object_t, @ref string_t, @ref boolean_t, @ref number_integer_t,
-    @ref number_unsigned_t, or @ref number_float_t.
+    if (is_object())
+    {
+      result.m_it.object_iterator = m_value.object->find(key);
+    }
 
-    @return pointer to the internally stored JSON value if the requested
-    pointer type @a PointerType fits to the JSON value; `nullptr` otherwise
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  /*!
+  @brief returns the number of occurrences of a key in a JSON object
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how pointers to internal values of a
-    JSON value can be requested. Note that no type conversions are made and a
-    `nullptr` is returned if the value and the requested pointer type does not
-    match.,get__PointerType}
+  Returns the number of elements with key @a key. If ObjectType is the
+  default `std::map` type, the return value will always be `0` (@a key was
+  not found) or `1` (@a key was found).
 
-    @sa @ref get_ptr() for explicit pointer-member access
+  @note This method always returns `0` when executed on a JSON type that is
+        not an object.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename PointerType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_pointer<PointerType>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    PointerType get() noexcept
-    {
-        // delegate the call to get_ptr
-        return get_ptr<PointerType>();
-    }
+  @param[in] key key value of the element to count
 
-    /*!
-    @brief get a pointer value (explicit)
-    @copydoc get()
-    */
-    template<typename PointerType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_pointer<PointerType>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    constexpr const PointerType get() const noexcept
-    {
-        // delegate the call to get_ptr
-        return get_ptr<PointerType>();
-    }
+  @return Number of elements with key @a key. If the JSON value is not an
+  object, the return value will be `0`.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief get a pointer value (implicit)
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the JSON object.
 
-    Implicit pointer access to the internally stored JSON value. No copies are
-    made.
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `count()` is used.,count}
 
-    @warning Writing data to the pointee of the result yields an undefined
-    state.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  size_type count(typename object_t::key_type key) const
+  {
+    // return 0 for all nonobject types
+    return is_object() ? m_value.object->count(key) : 0;
+  }
 
-    @tparam PointerType pointer type; must be a pointer to @ref array_t, @ref
-    object_t, @ref string_t, @ref boolean_t, @ref number_integer_t,
-    @ref number_unsigned_t, or @ref number_float_t. Enforced by a static
-    assertion.
+  /// @}
 
-    @return pointer to the internally stored JSON value if the requested
-    pointer type @a PointerType fits to the JSON value; `nullptr` otherwise
+  ///////////////
+  // iterators //
+  ///////////////
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  /// @name iterators
+  /// @{
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how pointers to internal values of a
-    JSON value can be requested. Note that no type conversions are made and a
-    `nullptr` is returned if the value and the requested pointer type does not
-    match.,get_ptr}
+  /*!
+  @brief returns an iterator to the first element
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename PointerType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_pointer<PointerType>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    PointerType get_ptr() noexcept
-    {
-        // get the type of the PointerType (remove pointer and const)
-        using pointee_t = typename std::remove_const<typename
-                          std::remove_pointer<typename
-                          std::remove_const<PointerType>::type>::type>::type;
-        // make sure the type matches the allowed types
-        static_assert(
-            std::is_same<object_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<array_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<string_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<boolean_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<number_integer_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<number_unsigned_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<number_float_t, pointee_t>::value
-            , "incompatible pointer type");
-
-        // delegate the call to get_impl_ptr<>()
-        return get_impl_ptr(static_cast<PointerType>(nullptr));
-    }
+  Returns an iterator to the first element.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief get a pointer value (implicit)
-    @copydoc get_ptr()
-    */
-    template<typename PointerType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_pointer<PointerType>::value and
-                 std::is_const<typename std::remove_pointer<PointerType>::type>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    constexpr const PointerType get_ptr() const noexcept
-    {
-        // get the type of the PointerType (remove pointer and const)
-        using pointee_t = typename std::remove_const<typename
-                          std::remove_pointer<typename
-                          std::remove_const<PointerType>::type>::type>::type;
-        // make sure the type matches the allowed types
-        static_assert(
-            std::is_same<object_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<array_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<string_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<boolean_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<number_integer_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<number_unsigned_t, pointee_t>::value
-            or std::is_same<number_float_t, pointee_t>::value
-            , "incompatible pointer type");
-
-        // delegate the call to get_impl_ptr<>() const
-        return get_impl_ptr(static_cast<const PointerType>(nullptr));
-    }
+  @image html range-begin-end.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
 
-    /*!
-    @brief get a reference value (implicit)
+  @return iterator to the first element
 
-    Implict reference access to the internally stored JSON value. No copies
-    are made.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @warning Writing data to the referee of the result yields an undefined
-    state.
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
 
-    @tparam ReferenceType reference type; must be a reference to @ref array_t,
-    @ref object_t, @ref string_t, @ref boolean_t, @ref number_integer_t, or
-    @ref number_float_t. Enforced by static assertion.
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `begin()`.,begin}
 
-    @return reference to the internally stored JSON value if the requested
-    reference type @a ReferenceType fits to the JSON value; throws
-    std::domain_error otherwise
+  @sa @ref cbegin() -- returns a const iterator to the beginning
+  @sa @ref end() -- returns an iterator to the end
+  @sa @ref cend() -- returns a const iterator to the end
 
-    @throw std::domain_error in case passed type @a ReferenceType is
-    incompatible with the stored JSON value
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  iterator begin() noexcept
+  {
+    iterator result(this);
+    result.set_begin();
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  /*!
+  @copydoc basic_json::cbegin()
+  */
+  const_iterator begin() const noexcept { return cbegin(); }
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows several calls to `get_ref()`.,get_ref}
+  /*!
+  @brief returns a const iterator to the first element
 
-    @since version 1.1.0
-    */
-    template<typename ReferenceType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_reference<ReferenceType>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    ReferenceType get_ref()
-    {
-        // delegate call to get_ref_impl
-        return get_ref_impl<ReferenceType>(*this);
-    }
+  Returns a const iterator to the first element.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief get a reference value (implicit)
-    @copydoc get_ref()
-    */
-    template<typename ReferenceType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_reference<ReferenceType>::value and
-                 std::is_const<typename std::remove_reference<ReferenceType>::type>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    ReferenceType get_ref() const
-    {
-        // delegate call to get_ref_impl
-        return get_ref_impl<ReferenceType>(*this);
-    }
+  @image html range-begin-end.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
 
-    /*!
-    @brief get a value (implicit)
+  @return const iterator to the first element
 
-    Implicit type conversion between the JSON value and a compatible value.
-    The call is realized by calling @ref get() const.
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @tparam ValueType non-pointer type compatible to the JSON value, for
-    instance `int` for JSON integer numbers, `bool` for JSON booleans, or
-    `std::vector` types for JSON arrays. The character type of @ref string_t
-    as well as an initializer list of this type is excluded to avoid
-    ambiguities as these types implicitly convert to `std::string`.
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of `const_cast<const basic_json&>(*this).begin()`.
 
-    @return copy of the JSON value, converted to type @a ValueType
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `cbegin()`.,cbegin}
 
-    @throw std::domain_error in case passed type @a ValueType is incompatible
-    to JSON, thrown by @ref get() const
+  @sa @ref begin() -- returns an iterator to the beginning
+  @sa @ref end() -- returns an iterator to the end
+  @sa @ref cend() -- returns a const iterator to the end
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  const_iterator cbegin() const noexcept
+  {
+    const_iterator result(this);
+    result.set_begin();
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows several conversions from JSON values
-    to other types. There a few things to note: (1) Floating-point numbers can
-    be converted to integers\, (2) A JSON array can be converted to a standard
-    `std::vector<short>`\, (3) A JSON object can be converted to C++
-    associative containers such as `std::unordered_map<std::string\,
-    json>`.,operator__ValueType}
+  /*!
+  @brief returns an iterator to one past the last element
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template < typename ValueType, typename std::enable_if <
-                   not std::is_pointer<ValueType>::value and
-                   not std::is_same<ValueType, typename string_t::value_type>::value
-#ifndef _MSC_VER  // fix for issue #167 operator<< abiguity under VS2015
-                   and not std::is_same<ValueType, std::initializer_list<typename string_t::value_type>>::value
-#endif
-                   , int >::type = 0 >
-    operator ValueType() const
-    {
-        // delegate the call to get<>() const
-        return get<ValueType>();
-    }
+  Returns an iterator to one past the last element.
 
-    /// @}
+  @image html range-begin-end.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
 
+  @return iterator one past the last element
 
-    ////////////////////
-    // element access //
-    ////////////////////
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    /// @name element access
-    /// Access to the JSON value.
-    /// @{
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified array element with bounds checking
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `end()`.,end}
 
-    Returns a reference to the element at specified location @a idx, with
-    bounds checking.
+  @sa @ref cend() -- returns a const iterator to the end
+  @sa @ref begin() -- returns an iterator to the beginning
+  @sa @ref cbegin() -- returns a const iterator to the beginning
 
-    @param[in] idx  index of the element to access
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  iterator end() noexcept
+  {
+    iterator result(this);
+    result.set_end();
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    @return reference to the element at index @a idx
+  /*!
+  @copydoc basic_json::cend()
+  */
+  const_iterator end() const noexcept { return cend(); }
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if the JSON value is not an array; example:
-    `"cannot use at() with string"`
-    @throw std::out_of_range if the index @a idx is out of range of the array;
-    that is, `idx >= size()`; example: `"array index 7 is out of range"`
+  /*!
+  @brief returns a const iterator to one past the last element
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  Returns a const iterator to one past the last element.
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how array elements can be read and
-    written using `at()`.,at__size_type}
+  @image html range-begin-end.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reference at(size_type idx)
-    {
-        // at only works for arrays
-        if (is_array())
-        {
-            JSON_TRY
-            {
-                return m_value.array->at(idx);
-            }
-            JSON_CATCH (std::out_of_range&)
-            {
-                // create better exception explanation
-                JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("array index " + std::to_string(idx) + " is out of range"));
-            }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use at() with " + type_name()));
-        }
-    }
+  @return const iterator one past the last element
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified array element with bounds checking
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    Returns a const reference to the element at specified location @a idx,
-    with bounds checking.
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of `const_cast<const basic_json&>(*this).end()`.
 
-    @param[in] idx  index of the element to access
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `cend()`.,cend}
 
-    @return const reference to the element at index @a idx
+  @sa @ref end() -- returns an iterator to the end
+  @sa @ref begin() -- returns an iterator to the beginning
+  @sa @ref cbegin() -- returns a const iterator to the beginning
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if the JSON value is not an array; example:
-    `"cannot use at() with string"`
-    @throw std::out_of_range if the index @a idx is out of range of the array;
-    that is, `idx >= size()`; example: `"array index 7 is out of range"`
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  const_iterator cend() const noexcept
+  {
+    const_iterator result(this);
+    result.set_end();
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  /*!
+  @brief returns an iterator to the reverse-beginning
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how array elements can be read using
-    `at()`.,at__size_type_const}
+  Returns an iterator to the reverse-beginning; that is, the last element.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    const_reference at(size_type idx) const
-    {
-        // at only works for arrays
-        if (is_array())
-        {
-            JSON_TRY
-            {
-                return m_value.array->at(idx);
-            }
-            JSON_CATCH (std::out_of_range&)
-            {
-                // create better exception explanation
-                JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("array index " + std::to_string(idx) + " is out of range"));
-            }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use at() with " + type_name()));
-        }
-    }
+  @image html range-rbegin-rend.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified object element with bounds checking
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    Returns a reference to the element at with specified key @a key, with
-    bounds checking.
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of `reverse_iterator(end())`.
 
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `rbegin()`.,rbegin}
 
-    @return reference to the element at key @a key
+  @sa @ref crbegin() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the beginning
+  @sa @ref rend() -- returns a reverse iterator to the end
+  @sa @ref crend() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the end
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if the JSON value is not an object; example:
-    `"cannot use at() with boolean"`
-    @throw std::out_of_range if the key @a key is is not stored in the object;
-    that is, `find(key) == end()`; example: `"key "the fast" not found"`
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reverse_iterator rbegin() noexcept { return reverse_iterator(end()); }
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  /*!
+  @copydoc basic_json::crbegin()
+  */
+  const_reverse_iterator rbegin() const noexcept { return crbegin(); }
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read and
-    written using `at()`.,at__object_t_key_type}
+  /*!
+  @brief returns an iterator to the reverse-end
 
-    @sa @ref operator[](const typename object_t::key_type&) for unchecked
-    access by reference
-    @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
+  Returns an iterator to the reverse-end; that is, one before the first
+  element.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reference at(const typename object_t::key_type& key)
-    {
-        // at only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            JSON_TRY
-            {
-                return m_value.object->at(key);
-            }
-            JSON_CATCH (std::out_of_range&)
-            {
-                // create better exception explanation
-                JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("key '" + key + "' not found"));
-            }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use at() with " + type_name()));
-        }
-    }
+  @image html range-rbegin-rend.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified object element with bounds checking
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    Returns a const reference to the element at with specified key @a key,
-    with bounds checking.
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of `reverse_iterator(begin())`.
 
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `rend()`.,rend}
 
-    @return const reference to the element at key @a key
+  @sa @ref crend() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the end
+  @sa @ref rbegin() -- returns a reverse iterator to the beginning
+  @sa @ref crbegin() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the beginning
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if the JSON value is not an object; example:
-    `"cannot use at() with boolean"`
-    @throw std::out_of_range if the key @a key is is not stored in the object;
-    that is, `find(key) == end()`; example: `"key "the fast" not found"`
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  reverse_iterator rend() noexcept { return reverse_iterator(begin()); }
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  /*!
+  @copydoc basic_json::crend()
+  */
+  const_reverse_iterator rend() const noexcept { return crend(); }
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read using
-    `at()`.,at__object_t_key_type_const}
+  /*!
+  @brief returns a const reverse iterator to the last element
 
-    @sa @ref operator[](const typename object_t::key_type&) for unchecked
-    access by reference
-    @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
+  Returns a const iterator to the reverse-beginning; that is, the last
+  element.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    const_reference at(const typename object_t::key_type& key) const
-    {
-        // at only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            JSON_TRY
-            {
-                return m_value.object->at(key);
-            }
-            JSON_CATCH (std::out_of_range&)
-            {
-                // create better exception explanation
-                JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("key '" + key + "' not found"));
-            }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use at() with " + type_name()));
-        }
-    }
+  @image html range-rbegin-rend.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified array element
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    Returns a reference to the element at specified location @a idx.
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of `const_cast<const basic_json&>(*this).rbegin()`.
 
-    @note If @a idx is beyond the range of the array (i.e., `idx >= size()`),
-    then the array is silently filled up with `null` values to make `idx` a
-    valid reference to the last stored element.
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `crbegin()`.,crbegin}
 
-    @param[in] idx  index of the element to access
+  @sa @ref rbegin() -- returns a reverse iterator to the beginning
+  @sa @ref rend() -- returns a reverse iterator to the end
+  @sa @ref crend() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the end
 
-    @return reference to the element at index @a idx
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  const_reverse_iterator crbegin() const noexcept
+  {
+    return const_reverse_iterator(cend());
+  }
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an array or null; example:
-    `"cannot use operator[] with string"`
+  /*!
+  @brief returns a const reverse iterator to one before the first
 
-    @complexity Constant if @a idx is in the range of the array. Otherwise
-    linear in `idx - size()`.
+  Returns a const reverse iterator to the reverse-end; that is, one before
+  the first element.
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how array elements can be read and
-    written using `[]` operator. Note the addition of `null`
-    values.,operatorarray__size_type}
+  @image html range-rbegin-rend.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reference operator[](size_type idx)
-    {
-        // implicitly convert null value to an empty array
-        if (is_null())
-        {
-            m_type = value_t::array;
-            m_value.array = create<array_t>();
-            assert_invariant();
-        }
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-        // operator[] only works for arrays
-        if (is_array())
-        {
-            // fill up array with null values if given idx is outside range
-            if (idx >= m_value.array->size())
-            {
-                m_value.array->insert(m_value.array->end(),
-                                      idx - m_value.array->size() + 1,
-                                      basic_json());
-            }
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of `const_cast<const basic_json&>(*this).rend()`.
 
-            return m_value.array->operator[](idx);
-        }
+  @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `crend()`.,crend}
+
+  @sa @ref rend() -- returns a reverse iterator to the end
+  @sa @ref rbegin() -- returns a reverse iterator to the beginning
+  @sa @ref crbegin() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the beginning
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  const_reverse_iterator crend() const noexcept
+  {
+    return const_reverse_iterator(cbegin());
+  }
+
+private:
+  // forward declaration
+  template <typename IteratorType> class iteration_proxy;
+
+public:
+  /*!
+  @brief wrapper to access iterator member functions in range-based for
+
+  This function allows to access @ref iterator::key() and @ref
+  iterator::value() during range-based for loops. In these loops, a
+  reference to the JSON values is returned, so there is no access to the
+  underlying iterator.
+
+  @note The name of this function is not yet final and may change in the
+  future.
+  */
+  static iteration_proxy<iterator> iterator_wrapper(reference cont)
+  {
+    return iteration_proxy<iterator>(cont);
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @copydoc iterator_wrapper(reference)
+  */
+  static iteration_proxy<const_iterator> iterator_wrapper(const_reference cont)
+  {
+    return iteration_proxy<const_iterator>(cont);
+  }
+
+  /// @}
+
+  //////////////
+  // capacity //
+  //////////////
+
+  /// @name capacity
+  /// @{
+
+  /*!
+  @brief checks whether the container is empty
+
+  Checks if a JSON value has no elements.
+
+  @return The return value depends on the different types and is
+          defined as follows:
+          Value type  | return value
+          ----------- | -------------
+          null        | `true`
+          boolean     | `false`
+          string      | `false`
+          number      | `false`
+          object      | result of function `object_t::empty()`
+          array       | result of function `array_t::empty()`
+
+  @note This function does not return whether a string stored as JSON value
+  is empty - it returns whether the JSON container itself is empty which is
+  false in the case of a string.
+
+  @complexity Constant, as long as @ref array_t and @ref object_t satisfy
+  the Container concept; that is, their `empty()` functions have constant
+  complexity.
+
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of `begin() == end()`.
+
+  @liveexample{The following code uses `empty()` to check if a JSON
+  object contains any elements.,empty}
+
+  @sa @ref size() -- returns the number of elements
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  bool empty() const noexcept
+  {
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::null:
+      {
+        // null values are empty
+        return true;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        // delegate call to array_t::empty()
+        return m_value.array->empty();
+      }
+
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        // delegate call to object_t::empty()
+        return m_value.object->empty();
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        // all other types are nonempty
+        return false;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief returns the number of elements
+
+  Returns the number of elements in a JSON value.
+
+  @return The return value depends on the different types and is
+          defined as follows:
+          Value type  | return value
+          ----------- | -------------
+          null        | `0`
+          boolean     | `1`
+          string      | `1`
+          number      | `1`
+          object      | result of function object_t::size()
+          array       | result of function array_t::size()
+
+  @note This function does not return the length of a string stored as JSON
+  value - it returns the number of elements in the JSON value which is 1 in
+  the case of a string.
+
+  @complexity Constant, as long as @ref array_t and @ref object_t satisfy
+  the Container concept; that is, their size() functions have constant
+  complexity.
+
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of `std::distance(begin(), end())`.
+
+  @liveexample{The following code calls `size()` on the different value
+  types.,size}
+
+  @sa @ref empty() -- checks whether the container is empty
+  @sa @ref max_size() -- returns the maximal number of elements
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  size_type size() const noexcept
+  {
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::null:
+      {
+        // null values are empty
+        return 0;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        // delegate call to array_t::size()
+        return m_value.array->size();
+      }
+
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        // delegate call to object_t::size()
+        return m_value.object->size();
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        // all other types have size 1
+        return 1;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief returns the maximum possible number of elements
+
+  Returns the maximum number of elements a JSON value is able to hold due to
+  system or library implementation limitations, i.e. `std::distance(begin(),
+  end())` for the JSON value.
+
+  @return The return value depends on the different types and is
+          defined as follows:
+          Value type  | return value
+          ----------- | -------------
+          null        | `0` (same as `size()`)
+          boolean     | `1` (same as `size()`)
+          string      | `1` (same as `size()`)
+          number      | `1` (same as `size()`)
+          object      | result of function `object_t::max_size()`
+          array       | result of function `array_t::max_size()`
+
+  @complexity Constant, as long as @ref array_t and @ref object_t satisfy
+  the Container concept; that is, their `max_size()` functions have constant
+  complexity.
+
+  @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
+  [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
+  requirements:
+  - The complexity is constant.
+  - Has the semantics of returning `b.size()` where `b` is the largest
+    possible JSON value.
+
+  @liveexample{The following code calls `max_size()` on the different value
+  types. Note the output is implementation specific.,max_size}
+
+  @sa @ref size() -- returns the number of elements
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  size_type max_size() const noexcept
+  {
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        // delegate call to array_t::max_size()
+        return m_value.array->max_size();
+      }
+
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        // delegate call to object_t::max_size()
+        return m_value.object->max_size();
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        // all other types have max_size() == size()
+        return size();
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// @}
+
+  ///////////////
+  // modifiers //
+  ///////////////
+
+  /// @name modifiers
+  /// @{
+
+  /*!
+  @brief clears the contents
+
+  Clears the content of a JSON value and resets it to the default value as
+  if @ref basic_json(value_t) would have been called:
+
+  Value type  | initial value
+  ----------- | -------------
+  null        | `null`
+  boolean     | `false`
+  string      | `""`
+  number      | `0`
+  object      | `{}`
+  array       | `[]`
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows the effect of `clear()` to different
+  JSON types.,clear}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  void clear() noexcept
+  {
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      {
+        m_value.number_integer = 0;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      {
+        m_value.number_unsigned = 0;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      {
+        m_value.number_float = 0.0;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      {
+        m_value.boolean = false;
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        m_value.string->clear();
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        m_value.array->clear();
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        m_value.object->clear();
+        break;
+      }
+
+      default:
+      {
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an array
+
+  Appends the given element @a val to the end of the JSON value. If the
+  function is called on a JSON null value, an empty array is created before
+  appending @a val.
+
+  @param[in] val the value to add to the JSON array
+
+  @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON array or
+  null; example: `"cannot use push_back() with number"`
+
+  @complexity Amortized constant.
+
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `push_back()` and `+=` can be used to
+  add elements to a JSON array. Note how the `null` value was silently
+  converted to a JSON array.,push_back}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  void push_back(basic_json &&val)
+  {
+    // push_back only works for null objects or arrays
+    if (not(is_null() or is_array()))
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(
+          std::domain_error("cannot use push_back() with " + type_name()));
+    }
+
+    // transform null object into an array
+    if (is_null())
+    {
+      m_type = value_t::array;
+      m_value = value_t::array;
+      assert_invariant();
+    }
+
+    // add element to array (move semantics)
+    m_value.array->push_back(std::move(val));
+    // invalidate object
+    val.m_type = value_t::null;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an array
+  @copydoc push_back(basic_json&&)
+  */
+  reference operator+=(basic_json &&val)
+  {
+    push_back(std::move(val));
+    return *this;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an array
+  @copydoc push_back(basic_json&&)
+  */
+  void push_back(const basic_json &val)
+  {
+    // push_back only works for null objects or arrays
+    if (not(is_null() or is_array()))
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(
+          std::domain_error("cannot use push_back() with " + type_name()));
+    }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+    // transform null object into an array
+    if (is_null())
+    {
+      m_type = value_t::array;
+      m_value = value_t::array;
+      assert_invariant();
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified array element
+    // add element to array
+    m_value.array->push_back(val);
+  }
 
-    Returns a const reference to the element at specified location @a idx.
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an array
+  @copydoc push_back(basic_json&&)
+  */
+  reference operator+=(const basic_json &val)
+  {
+    push_back(val);
+    return *this;
+  }
 
-    @param[in] idx  index of the element to access
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an object
 
-    @return const reference to the element at index @a idx
+  Inserts the given element @a val to the JSON object. If the function is
+  called on a JSON null value, an empty object is created before inserting
+  @a val.
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an array; example: `"cannot use
-    operator[] with null"`
+  @param[in] val the value to add to the JSON object
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON object or
+  null; example: `"cannot use push_back() with number"`
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how array elements can be read using
-    the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__size_type_const}
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container, O(log(`size()`)).
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    const_reference operator[](size_type idx) const
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `push_back()` and `+=` can be used to
+  add elements to a JSON object. Note how the `null` value was silently
+  converted to a JSON object.,push_back__object_t__value}
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  void push_back(const typename object_t::value_type &val)
+  {
+    // push_back only works for null objects or objects
+    if (not(is_null() or is_object()))
     {
-        // const operator[] only works for arrays
-        if (is_array())
-        {
-            return m_value.array->operator[](idx);
-        }
+      JSON_THROW(
+          std::domain_error("cannot use push_back() with " + type_name()));
+    }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+    // transform null object into an object
+    if (is_null())
+    {
+      m_type = value_t::object;
+      m_value = value_t::object;
+      assert_invariant();
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified object element
+    // add element to array
+    m_value.object->insert(val);
+  }
 
-    Returns a reference to the element at with specified key @a key.
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an object
+  @copydoc push_back(const typename object_t::value_type&)
+  */
+  reference operator+=(const typename object_t::value_type &val)
+  {
+    push_back(val);
+    return *this;
+  }
 
-    @note If @a key is not found in the object, then it is silently added to
-    the object and filled with a `null` value to make `key` a valid reference.
-    In case the value was `null` before, it is converted to an object.
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an object
 
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  This function allows to use `push_back` with an initializer list. In case
 
-    @return reference to the element at key @a key
+  1. the current value is an object,
+  2. the initializer list @a init contains only two elements, and
+  3. the first element of @a init is a string,
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object or null; example:
-    `"cannot use operator[] with string"`
+  @a init is converted into an object element and added using
+  @ref push_back(const typename object_t::value_type&). Otherwise, @a init
+  is converted to a JSON value and added using @ref push_back(basic_json&&).
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  @param init  an initializer list
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read and
-    written using the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type}
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the initializer list @a init.
 
-    @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
-    with range checking
-    @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
+  @note This function is required to resolve an ambiguous overload error,
+        because pairs like `{"key", "value"}` can be both interpreted as
+        `object_t::value_type` or `std::initializer_list<basic_json>`, see
+        https://github.com/nlohmann/json/issues/235 for more information.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reference operator[](const typename object_t::key_type& key)
+  @liveexample{The example shows how initializer lists are treated as
+  objects when possible.,push_back__initializer_list}
+  */
+  void push_back(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init)
+  {
+    if (is_object() and init.size() == 2 and init.begin()->is_string())
     {
-        // implicitly convert null value to an empty object
-        if (is_null())
-        {
-            m_type = value_t::object;
-            m_value.object = create<object_t>();
-            assert_invariant();
-        }
-
-        // operator[] only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            return m_value.object->operator[](key);
-        }
-
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+      const string_t key = *init.begin();
+      push_back(typename object_t::value_type(key, *(init.begin() + 1)));
     }
+    else
+    {
+      push_back(basic_json(init));
+    }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief read-only access specified object element
-
-    Returns a const reference to the element at with specified key @a key. No
-    bounds checking is performed.
-
-    @warning If the element with key @a key does not exist, the behavior is
-    undefined.
-
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an object
+  @copydoc push_back(std::initializer_list<basic_json>)
+  */
+  reference operator+=(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init)
+  {
+    push_back(init);
+    return *this;
+  }
 
-    @return const reference to the element at key @a key
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an array
 
-    @pre The element with key @a key must exist. **This precondition is
-         enforced with an assertion.**
+  Creates a JSON value from the passed parameters @a args to the end of the
+  JSON value. If the function is called on a JSON null value, an empty array
+  is created before appending the value created from @a args.
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
-    operator[] with null"`
+  @param[in] args arguments to forward to a constructor of @ref basic_json
+  @tparam Args compatible types to create a @ref basic_json object
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON array or
+  null; example: `"cannot use emplace_back() with number"`
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read using
-    the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type_const}
+  @complexity Amortized constant.
 
-    @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
-    with range checking
-    @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `push_back()` can be used to add
+  elements to a JSON array. Note how the `null` value was silently converted
+  to a JSON array.,emplace_back}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    const_reference operator[](const typename object_t::key_type& key) const
+  @since version 2.0.8
+  */
+  template <class... Args> void emplace_back(Args &&... args)
+  {
+    // emplace_back only works for null objects or arrays
+    if (not(is_null() or is_array()))
     {
-        // const operator[] only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            assert(m_value.object->find(key) != m_value.object->end());
-            return m_value.object->find(key)->second;
-        }
-
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+      JSON_THROW(
+          std::domain_error("cannot use emplace_back() with " + type_name()));
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified object element
+    // transform null object into an array
+    if (is_null())
+    {
+      m_type = value_t::array;
+      m_value = value_t::array;
+      assert_invariant();
+    }
 
-    Returns a reference to the element at with specified key @a key.
+    // add element to array (perfect forwarding)
+    m_value.array->emplace_back(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
+  }
 
-    @note If @a key is not found in the object, then it is silently added to
-    the object and filled with a `null` value to make `key` a valid reference.
-    In case the value was `null` before, it is converted to an object.
+  /*!
+  @brief add an object to an object if key does not exist
 
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  Inserts a new element into a JSON object constructed in-place with the
+  given @a args if there is no element with the key in the container. If the
+  function is called on a JSON null value, an empty object is created before
+  appending the value created from @a args.
 
-    @return reference to the element at key @a key
+  @param[in] args arguments to forward to a constructor of @ref basic_json
+  @tparam Args compatible types to create a @ref basic_json object
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object or null; example:
-    `"cannot use operator[] with string"`
+  @return a pair consisting of an iterator to the inserted element, or the
+          already-existing element if no insertion happened, and a bool
+          denoting whether the insertion took place.
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON object or
+  null; example: `"cannot use emplace() with number"`
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read and
-    written using the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type}
+  @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container, O(log(`size()`)).
 
-    @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
-    with range checking
-    @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `emplace()` can be used to add elements
+  to a JSON object. Note how the `null` value was silently converted to a
+  JSON object. Further note how no value is added if there was already one
+  value stored with the same key.,emplace}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename T, std::size_t n>
-    reference operator[](T * (&key)[n])
+  @since version 2.0.8
+  */
+  template <class... Args> std::pair<iterator, bool> emplace(Args &&... args)
+  {
+    // emplace only works for null objects or arrays
+    if (not(is_null() or is_object()))
     {
-        return operator[](static_cast<const T>(key));
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use emplace() with " + type_name()));
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief read-only access specified object element
-
-    Returns a const reference to the element at with specified key @a key. No
-    bounds checking is performed.
+    // transform null object into an object
+    if (is_null())
+    {
+      m_type = value_t::object;
+      m_value = value_t::object;
+      assert_invariant();
+    }
 
-    @warning If the element with key @a key does not exist, the behavior is
-    undefined.
+    // add element to array (perfect forwarding)
+    auto res = m_value.object->emplace(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
+    // create result iterator and set iterator to the result of emplace
+    auto it = begin();
+    it.m_it.object_iterator = res.first;
 
-    @note This function is required for compatibility reasons with Clang.
+    // return pair of iterator and boolean
+    return {it, res.second};
+  }
 
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  /*!
+  @brief inserts element
 
-    @return const reference to the element at key @a key
+  Inserts element @a val before iterator @a pos.
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
-    operator[] with null"`
+  @param[in] pos iterator before which the content will be inserted; may be
+  the end() iterator
+  @param[in] val element to insert
+  @return iterator pointing to the inserted @a val.
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  @throw std::domain_error if called on JSON values other than arrays;
+  example: `"cannot use insert() with string"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if @a pos is not an iterator of *this; example:
+  `"iterator does not fit current value"`
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read using
-    the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type_const}
+  @complexity Constant plus linear in the distance between pos and end of
+  the container.
 
-    @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
-    with range checking
-    @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `insert()` is used.,insert}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename T, std::size_t n>
-    const_reference operator[](T * (&key)[n]) const
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  iterator insert(const_iterator pos, const basic_json &val)
+  {
+    // insert only works for arrays
+    if (is_array())
     {
-        return operator[](static_cast<const T>(key));
-    }
+      // check if iterator pos fits to this JSON value
+      if (pos.m_object != this)
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
+      }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified object element
+      // insert to array and return iterator
+      iterator result(this);
+      result.m_it.array_iterator =
+          m_value.array->insert(pos.m_it.array_iterator, val);
+      return result;
+    }
 
-    Returns a reference to the element at with specified key @a key.
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use insert() with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-    @note If @a key is not found in the object, then it is silently added to
-    the object and filled with a `null` value to make `key` a valid reference.
-    In case the value was `null` before, it is converted to an object.
+  /*!
+  @brief inserts element
+  @copydoc insert(const_iterator, const basic_json&)
+  */
+  iterator insert(const_iterator pos, basic_json &&val)
+  {
+    return insert(pos, val);
+  }
 
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  /*!
+  @brief inserts elements
 
-    @return reference to the element at key @a key
+  Inserts @a cnt copies of @a val before iterator @a pos.
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object or null; example:
-    `"cannot use operator[] with string"`
+  @param[in] pos iterator before which the content will be inserted; may be
+  the end() iterator
+  @param[in] cnt number of copies of @a val to insert
+  @param[in] val element to insert
+  @return iterator pointing to the first element inserted, or @a pos if
+  `cnt==0`
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  @throw std::domain_error if called on JSON values other than arrays;
+  example: `"cannot use insert() with string"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if @a pos is not an iterator of *this; example:
+  `"iterator does not fit current value"`
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read and
-    written using the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type}
+  @complexity Linear in @a cnt plus linear in the distance between @a pos
+  and end of the container.
 
-    @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
-    with range checking
-    @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `insert()` is used.,insert__count}
 
-    @since version 1.1.0
-    */
-    template<typename T>
-    reference operator[](T* key)
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  iterator insert(const_iterator pos, size_type cnt, const basic_json &val)
+  {
+    // insert only works for arrays
+    if (is_array())
     {
-        // implicitly convert null to object
-        if (is_null())
-        {
-            m_type = value_t::object;
-            m_value = value_t::object;
-            assert_invariant();
-        }
-
-        // at only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            return m_value.object->operator[](key);
-        }
+      // check if iterator pos fits to this JSON value
+      if (pos.m_object != this)
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
+      }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+      // insert to array and return iterator
+      iterator result(this);
+      result.m_it.array_iterator =
+          m_value.array->insert(pos.m_it.array_iterator, cnt, val);
+      return result;
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief read-only access specified object element
-
-    Returns a const reference to the element at with specified key @a key. No
-    bounds checking is performed.
+    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use insert() with " + type_name()));
+  }
 
-    @warning If the element with key @a key does not exist, the behavior is
-    undefined.
+  /*!
+  @brief inserts elements
 
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
+  Inserts elements from range `[first, last)` before iterator @a pos.
 
-    @return const reference to the element at key @a key
+  @param[in] pos iterator before which the content will be inserted; may be
+  the end() iterator
+  @param[in] first begin of the range of elements to insert
+  @param[in] last end of the range of elements to insert
 
-    @pre The element with key @a key must exist. **This precondition is
-         enforced with an assertion.**
+  @throw std::domain_error if called on JSON values other than arrays;
+  example: `"cannot use insert() with string"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if @a pos is not an iterator of *this; example:
+  `"iterator does not fit current value"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if @a first and @a last do not belong to the same
+  JSON value; example: `"iterators do not fit"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if @a first or @a last are iterators into
+  container for which insert is called; example: `"passed iterators may not
+  belong to container"`
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
-    operator[] with null"`
+  @return iterator pointing to the first element inserted, or @a pos if
+  `first==last`
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  @complexity Linear in `std::distance(first, last)` plus linear in the
+  distance between @a pos and end of the container.
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be read using
-    the `[]` operator.,operatorarray__key_type_const}
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `insert()` is used.,insert__range}
 
-    @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
-    with range checking
-    @sa @ref value() for access by value with a default value
-
-    @since version 1.1.0
-    */
-    template<typename T>
-    const_reference operator[](T* key) const
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  iterator insert(const_iterator pos, const_iterator first, const_iterator last)
+  {
+    // insert only works for arrays
+    if (not is_array())
     {
-        // at only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            assert(m_value.object->find(key) != m_value.object->end());
-            return m_value.object->find(key)->second;
-        }
-
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] with " + type_name()));
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use insert() with " + type_name()));
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified object element with default value
-
-    Returns either a copy of an object's element at the specified key @a key
-    or a given default value if no element with key @a key exists.
+    // check if iterator pos fits to this JSON value
+    if (pos.m_object != this)
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
+    }
 
-    The function is basically equivalent to executing
-    @code {.cpp}
-    try {
-        return at(key);
-    } catch(std::out_of_range) {
-        return default_value;
+    // check if range iterators belong to the same JSON object
+    if (first.m_object != last.m_object)
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterators do not fit"));
     }
-    @endcode
 
-    @note Unlike @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&), this function
-    does not throw if the given key @a key was not found.
+    if (first.m_object == this or last.m_object == this)
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(
+          std::domain_error("passed iterators may not belong to container"));
+    }
 
-    @note Unlike @ref operator[](const typename object_t::key_type& key), this
-    function does not implicitly add an element to the position defined by @a
-    key. This function is furthermore also applicable to const objects.
+    // insert to array and return iterator
+    iterator result(this);
+    result.m_it.array_iterator = m_value.array->insert(
+        pos.m_it.array_iterator, first.m_it.array_iterator,
+        last.m_it.array_iterator);
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    @param[in] key  key of the element to access
-    @param[in] default_value  the value to return if @a key is not found
+  /*!
+  @brief inserts elements
 
-    @tparam ValueType type compatible to JSON values, for instance `int` for
-    JSON integer numbers, `bool` for JSON booleans, or `std::vector` types for
-    JSON arrays. Note the type of the expected value at @a key and the default
-    value @a default_value must be compatible.
+  Inserts elements from initializer list @a ilist before iterator @a pos.
 
-    @return copy of the element at key @a key or @a default_value if @a key
-    is not found
+  @param[in] pos iterator before which the content will be inserted; may be
+  the end() iterator
+  @param[in] ilist initializer list to insert the values from
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
-    value() with null"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if called on JSON values other than arrays;
+  example: `"cannot use insert() with string"`
+  @throw std::domain_error if @a pos is not an iterator of *this; example:
+  `"iterator does not fit current value"`
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  @return iterator pointing to the first element inserted, or @a pos if
+  `ilist` is empty
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be queried
-    with a default value.,basic_json__value}
+  @complexity Linear in `ilist.size()` plus linear in the distance between
+  @a pos and end of the container.
 
-    @sa @ref at(const typename object_t::key_type&) for access by reference
-    with range checking
-    @sa @ref operator[](const typename object_t::key_type&) for unchecked
-    access by reference
+  @liveexample{The example shows how `insert()` is used.,insert__ilist}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<class ValueType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, ValueType>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    ValueType value(const typename object_t::key_type& key, ValueType default_value) const
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  iterator insert(const_iterator pos, std::initializer_list<basic_json> ilist)
+  {
+    // insert only works for arrays
+    if (not is_array())
     {
-        // at only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            // if key is found, return value and given default value otherwise
-            const auto it = find(key);
-            if (it != end())
-            {
-                return *it;
-            }
-
-            return default_value;
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use value() with " + type_name()));
-        }
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use insert() with " + type_name()));
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief overload for a default value of type const char*
-    @copydoc basic_json::value(const typename object_t::key_type&, ValueType) const
-    */
-    string_t value(const typename object_t::key_type& key, const char* default_value) const
+    // check if iterator pos fits to this JSON value
+    if (pos.m_object != this)
     {
-        return value(key, string_t(default_value));
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified object element via JSON Pointer with default value
+    // insert to array and return iterator
+    iterator result(this);
+    result.m_it.array_iterator =
+        m_value.array->insert(pos.m_it.array_iterator, ilist);
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    Returns either a copy of an object's element at the specified key @a key
-    or a given default value if no element with key @a key exists.
+  /*!
+  @brief exchanges the values
 
-    The function is basically equivalent to executing
-    @code {.cpp}
-    try {
-        return at(ptr);
-    } catch(std::out_of_range) {
-        return default_value;
-    }
-    @endcode
+  Exchanges the contents of the JSON value with those of @a other. Does not
+  invoke any move, copy, or swap operations on individual elements. All
+  iterators and references remain valid. The past-the-end iterator is
+  invalidated.
 
-    @note Unlike @ref at(const json_pointer&), this function does not throw
-    if the given key @a key was not found.
+  @param[in,out] other JSON value to exchange the contents with
 
-    @param[in] ptr  a JSON pointer to the element to access
-    @param[in] default_value  the value to return if @a ptr found no value
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @tparam ValueType type compatible to JSON values, for instance `int` for
-    JSON integer numbers, `bool` for JSON booleans, or `std::vector` types for
-    JSON arrays. Note the type of the expected value at @a key and the default
-    value @a default_value must be compatible.
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how JSON values can be swapped with
+  `swap()`.,swap__reference}
 
-    @return copy of the element at key @a key or @a default_value if @a key
-    is not found
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  void swap(reference other) noexcept(
+      std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<value_t>::value
+          and std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<value_t>::value
+              and std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<json_value>::value
+                  and std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<json_value>::value)
+  {
+    std::swap(m_type, other.m_type);
+    std::swap(m_value, other.m_value);
+    assert_invariant();
+  }
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if JSON is not an object; example: `"cannot use
-    value() with null"`
+  /*!
+  @brief exchanges the values
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container.
+  Exchanges the contents of a JSON array with those of @a other. Does not
+  invoke any move, copy, or swap operations on individual elements. All
+  iterators and references remain valid. The past-the-end iterator is
+  invalidated.
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how object elements can be queried
-    with a default value.,basic_json__value_ptr}
+  @param[in,out] other array to exchange the contents with
 
-    @sa @ref operator[](const json_pointer&) for unchecked access by reference
+  @throw std::domain_error when JSON value is not an array; example:
+  `"cannot use swap() with string"`
 
-    @since version 2.0.2
-    */
-    template<class ValueType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_convertible<basic_json_t, ValueType>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    ValueType value(const json_pointer& ptr, ValueType default_value) const
-    {
-        // at only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            // if pointer resolves a value, return it or use default value
-            JSON_TRY
-            {
-                return ptr.get_checked(this);
-            }
-            JSON_CATCH (std::out_of_range&)
-            {
-                return default_value;
-            }
-        }
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use value() with " + type_name()));
-    }
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how arrays can be swapped with
+  `swap()`.,swap__array_t}
 
-    /*!
-    @brief overload for a default value of type const char*
-    @copydoc basic_json::value(const json_pointer&, ValueType) const
-    */
-    string_t value(const json_pointer& ptr, const char* default_value) const
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  void swap(array_t &other)
+  {
+    // swap only works for arrays
+    if (is_array())
     {
-        return value(ptr, string_t(default_value));
+      std::swap(*(m_value.array), other);
     }
+    else
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use swap() with " + type_name()));
+    }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access the first element
-
-    Returns a reference to the first element in the container. For a JSON
-    container `c`, the expression `c.front()` is equivalent to `*c.begin()`.
-
-    @return In case of a structured type (array or object), a reference to the
-    first element is returned. In case of number, string, or boolean values, a
-    reference to the value is returned.
+  /*!
+  @brief exchanges the values
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  Exchanges the contents of a JSON object with those of @a other. Does not
+  invoke any move, copy, or swap operations on individual elements. All
+  iterators and references remain valid. The past-the-end iterator is
+  invalidated.
 
-    @pre The JSON value must not be `null` (would throw `std::out_of_range`)
-    or an empty array or object (undefined behavior, **guarded by
-    assertions**).
-    @post The JSON value remains unchanged.
+  @param[in,out] other object to exchange the contents with
 
-    @throw std::out_of_range when called on `null` value
+  @throw std::domain_error when JSON value is not an object; example:
+  `"cannot use swap() with string"`
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `front()`.,front}
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @sa @ref back() -- access the last element
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how objects can be swapped with
+  `swap()`.,swap__object_t}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reference front()
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  void swap(object_t &other)
+  {
+    // swap only works for objects
+    if (is_object())
     {
-        return *begin();
+      std::swap(*(m_value.object), other);
     }
-
-    /*!
-    @copydoc basic_json::front()
-    */
-    const_reference front() const
+    else
     {
-        return *cbegin();
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use swap() with " + type_name()));
     }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access the last element
-
-    Returns a reference to the last element in the container. For a JSON
-    container `c`, the expression `c.back()` is equivalent to
-    @code {.cpp}
-    auto tmp = c.end();
-    --tmp;
-    return *tmp;
-    @endcode
-
-    @return In case of a structured type (array or object), a reference to the
-    last element is returned. In case of number, string, or boolean values, a
-    reference to the value is returned.
+  /*!
+  @brief exchanges the values
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  Exchanges the contents of a JSON string with those of @a other. Does not
+  invoke any move, copy, or swap operations on individual elements. All
+  iterators and references remain valid. The past-the-end iterator is
+  invalidated.
 
-    @pre The JSON value must not be `null` (would throw `std::out_of_range`)
-    or an empty array or object (undefined behavior, **guarded by
-    assertions**).
-    @post The JSON value remains unchanged.
+  @param[in,out] other string to exchange the contents with
 
-    @throw std::out_of_range when called on `null` value.
+  @throw std::domain_error when JSON value is not a string; example: `"cannot
+  use swap() with boolean"`
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `back()`.,back}
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @sa @ref front() -- access the first element
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how strings can be swapped with
+  `swap()`.,swap__string_t}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reference back()
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  void swap(string_t &other)
+  {
+    // swap only works for strings
+    if (is_string())
     {
-        auto tmp = end();
-        --tmp;
-        return *tmp;
+      std::swap(*(m_value.string), other);
     }
-
-    /*!
-    @copydoc basic_json::back()
-    */
-    const_reference back() const
+    else
     {
-        auto tmp = cend();
-        --tmp;
-        return *tmp;
+      JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use swap() with " + type_name()));
     }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief remove element given an iterator
-
-    Removes the element specified by iterator @a pos. The iterator @a pos must
-    be valid and dereferenceable. Thus the `end()` iterator (which is valid,
-    but is not dereferenceable) cannot be used as a value for @a pos.
-
-    If called on a primitive type other than `null`, the resulting JSON value
-    will be `null`.
-
-    @param[in] pos iterator to the element to remove
-    @return Iterator following the last removed element. If the iterator @a
-    pos refers to the last element, the `end()` iterator is returned.
+  /// @}
 
-    @tparam IteratorType an @ref iterator or @ref const_iterator
+  //////////////////////////////////////////
+  // lexicographical comparison operators //
+  //////////////////////////////////////////
 
-    @post Invalidates iterators and references at or after the point of the
-    erase, including the `end()` iterator.
+  /// @name lexicographical comparison operators
+  /// @{
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if called on a `null` value; example: `"cannot
-    use erase() with null"`
-    @throw std::domain_error if called on an iterator which does not belong to
-    the current JSON value; example: `"iterator does not fit current value"`
-    @throw std::out_of_range if called on a primitive type with invalid
-    iterator (i.e., any iterator which is not `begin()`); example: `"iterator
-    out of range"`
+private:
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison operator for JSON types
 
-    @complexity The complexity depends on the type:
-    - objects: amortized constant
-    - arrays: linear in distance between pos and the end of the container
-    - strings: linear in the length of the string
-    - other types: constant
+  Returns an ordering that is similar to Python:
+  - order: null < boolean < number < object < array < string
+  - furthermore, each type is not smaller than itself
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows the result of `erase()` for different JSON
-    types.,erase__IteratorType}
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator<(const value_t lhs, const value_t rhs) noexcept
+  {
+    static constexpr std::array<uint8_t, 8> order = {{
+        0, // null
+        3, // object
+        4, // array
+        5, // string
+        1, // boolean
+        2, // integer
+        2, // unsigned
+        2, // float
+    }};
 
-    @sa @ref erase(IteratorType, IteratorType) -- removes the elements in
-    the given range
-    @sa @ref erase(const typename object_t::key_type&) -- removes the element
-    from an object at the given key
-    @sa @ref erase(const size_type) -- removes the element from an array at
-    the given index
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<class IteratorType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_same<IteratorType, typename basic_json_t::iterator>::value or
-                 std::is_same<IteratorType, typename basic_json_t::const_iterator>::value, int>::type
-             = 0>
-    IteratorType erase(IteratorType pos)
+    // discarded values are not comparable
+    if (lhs == value_t::discarded or rhs == value_t::discarded)
     {
-        // make sure iterator fits the current value
-        if (this != pos.m_object)
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
-        }
-
-        IteratorType result = end();
+      return false;
+    }
 
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                if (not pos.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin())
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("iterator out of range"));
-                }
+    return order[static_cast<std::size_t>(lhs)] <
+           order[static_cast<std::size_t>(rhs)];
+  }
 
-                if (is_string())
-                {
-                    AllocatorType<string_t> alloc;
-                    alloc.destroy(m_value.string);
-                    alloc.deallocate(m_value.string, 1);
-                    m_value.string = nullptr;
-                }
+public:
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: equal
 
-                m_type = value_t::null;
-                assert_invariant();
-                break;
-            }
+  Compares two JSON values for equality according to the following rules:
+  - Two JSON values are equal if (1) they are from the same type and (2)
+    their stored values are the same.
+  - Integer and floating-point numbers are automatically converted before
+    comparison. Floating-point numbers are compared indirectly: two
+    floating-point numbers `f1` and `f2` are considered equal if neither
+    `f1 > f2` nor `f2 > f1` holds.
+  - Two JSON null values are equal.
 
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                result.m_it.object_iterator = m_value.object->erase(pos.m_it.object_iterator);
-                break;
-            }
+  @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
+  @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
+  @return whether the values @a lhs and @a rhs are equal
 
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                result.m_it.array_iterator = m_value.array->erase(pos.m_it.array_iterator);
-                break;
-            }
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-            default:
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use erase() with " + type_name()));
-            }
-        }
+  @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
+  types.,operator__equal}
 
-        return result;
-    }
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator==(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
+  {
+    const auto lhs_type = lhs.type();
+    const auto rhs_type = rhs.type();
 
-    /*!
-    @brief remove elements given an iterator range
-
-    Removes the element specified by the range `[first; last)`. The iterator
-    @a first does not need to be dereferenceable if `first == last`: erasing
-    an empty range is a no-op.
-
-    If called on a primitive type other than `null`, the resulting JSON value
-    will be `null`.
-
-    @param[in] first iterator to the beginning of the range to remove
-    @param[in] last iterator past the end of the range to remove
-    @return Iterator following the last removed element. If the iterator @a
-    second refers to the last element, the `end()` iterator is returned.
-
-    @tparam IteratorType an @ref iterator or @ref const_iterator
-
-    @post Invalidates iterators and references at or after the point of the
-    erase, including the `end()` iterator.
-
-    @throw std::domain_error if called on a `null` value; example: `"cannot
-    use erase() with null"`
-    @throw std::domain_error if called on iterators which does not belong to
-    the current JSON value; example: `"iterators do not fit current value"`
-    @throw std::out_of_range if called on a primitive type with invalid
-    iterators (i.e., if `first != begin()` and `last != end()`); example:
-    `"iterators out of range"`
-
-    @complexity The complexity depends on the type:
-    - objects: `log(size()) + std::distance(first, last)`
-    - arrays: linear in the distance between @a first and @a last, plus linear
-      in the distance between @a last and end of the container
-    - strings: linear in the length of the string
-    - other types: constant
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows the result of `erase()` for different JSON
-    types.,erase__IteratorType_IteratorType}
-
-    @sa @ref erase(IteratorType) -- removes the element at a given position
-    @sa @ref erase(const typename object_t::key_type&) -- removes the element
-    from an object at the given key
-    @sa @ref erase(const size_type) -- removes the element from an array at
-    the given index
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<class IteratorType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_same<IteratorType, typename basic_json_t::iterator>::value or
-                 std::is_same<IteratorType, typename basic_json_t::const_iterator>::value, int>::type
-             = 0>
-    IteratorType erase(IteratorType first, IteratorType last)
+    if (lhs_type == rhs_type)
     {
-        // make sure iterator fits the current value
-        if (this != first.m_object or this != last.m_object)
+      switch (lhs_type)
+      {
+        case value_t::array:
+        {
+          return *lhs.m_value.array == *rhs.m_value.array;
+        }
+        case value_t::object:
+        {
+          return *lhs.m_value.object == *rhs.m_value.object;
+        }
+        case value_t::null:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterators do not fit current value"));
+          return true;
         }
+        case value_t::string:
+        {
+          return *lhs.m_value.string == *rhs.m_value.string;
+        }
+        case value_t::boolean:
+        {
+          return lhs.m_value.boolean == rhs.m_value.boolean;
+        }
+        case value_t::number_integer:
+        {
+          return lhs.m_value.number_integer == rhs.m_value.number_integer;
+        }
+        case value_t::number_unsigned:
+        {
+          return lhs.m_value.number_unsigned == rhs.m_value.number_unsigned;
+        }
+        case value_t::number_float:
+        {
+          return lhs.m_value.number_float == rhs.m_value.number_float;
+        }
+        default:
+        {
+          return false;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_integer and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_float)
+    {
+      return static_cast<number_float_t>(lhs.m_value.number_integer) ==
+             rhs.m_value.number_float;
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_float and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_integer)
+    {
+      return lhs.m_value.number_float ==
+             static_cast<number_float_t>(rhs.m_value.number_integer);
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_float)
+    {
+      return static_cast<number_float_t>(lhs.m_value.number_unsigned) ==
+             rhs.m_value.number_float;
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_float and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned)
+    {
+      return lhs.m_value.number_float ==
+             static_cast<number_float_t>(rhs.m_value.number_unsigned);
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_integer)
+    {
+      return static_cast<number_integer_t>(lhs.m_value.number_unsigned) ==
+             rhs.m_value.number_integer;
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_integer and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned)
+    {
+      return lhs.m_value.number_integer ==
+             static_cast<number_integer_t>(rhs.m_value.number_unsigned);
+    }
 
-        IteratorType result = end();
+    return false;
+  }
 
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                if (not first.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin() or not last.m_it.primitive_iterator.is_end())
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("iterators out of range"));
-                }
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: equal
 
-                if (is_string())
-                {
-                    AllocatorType<string_t> alloc;
-                    alloc.destroy(m_value.string);
-                    alloc.deallocate(m_value.string, 1);
-                    m_value.string = nullptr;
-                }
+  The functions compares the given JSON value against a null pointer. As the
+  null pointer can be used to initialize a JSON value to null, a comparison
+  of JSON value @a v with a null pointer should be equivalent to call
+  `v.is_null()`.
 
-                m_type = value_t::null;
-                assert_invariant();
-                break;
-            }
+  @param[in] v  JSON value to consider
+  @return whether @a v is null
 
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                result.m_it.object_iterator = m_value.object->erase(first.m_it.object_iterator,
-                                              last.m_it.object_iterator);
-                break;
-            }
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                result.m_it.array_iterator = m_value.array->erase(first.m_it.array_iterator,
-                                             last.m_it.array_iterator);
-                break;
-            }
+  @liveexample{The example compares several JSON types to the null pointer.
+  ,operator__equal__nullptr_t}
 
-            default:
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use erase() with " + type_name()));
-            }
-        }
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator==(const_reference v, std::nullptr_t) noexcept
+  {
+    return v.is_null();
+  }
 
-        return result;
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: equal
+  @copydoc operator==(const_reference, std::nullptr_t)
+  */
+  friend bool operator==(std::nullptr_t, const_reference v) noexcept
+  {
+    return v.is_null();
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief remove element from a JSON object given a key
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: not equal
 
-    Removes elements from a JSON object with the key value @a key.
+  Compares two JSON values for inequality by calculating `not (lhs == rhs)`.
 
-    @param[in] key value of the elements to remove
+  @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
+  @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
+  @return whether the values @a lhs and @a rhs are not equal
 
-    @return Number of elements removed. If @a ObjectType is the default
-    `std::map` type, the return value will always be `0` (@a key was not
-    found) or `1` (@a key was found).
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-    @post References and iterators to the erased elements are invalidated.
-    Other references and iterators are not affected.
+  @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
+  types.,operator__notequal}
 
-    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON object;
-    example: `"cannot use erase() with null"`
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator!=(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
+  {
+    return not(lhs == rhs);
+  }
 
-    @complexity `log(size()) + count(key)`
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: not equal
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows the effect of `erase()`.,erase__key_type}
+  The functions compares the given JSON value against a null pointer. As the
+  null pointer can be used to initialize a JSON value to null, a comparison
+  of JSON value @a v with a null pointer should be equivalent to call
+  `not v.is_null()`.
 
-    @sa @ref erase(IteratorType) -- removes the element at a given position
-    @sa @ref erase(IteratorType, IteratorType) -- removes the elements in
-    the given range
-    @sa @ref erase(const size_type) -- removes the element from an array at
-    the given index
+  @param[in] v  JSON value to consider
+  @return whether @a v is not null
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    size_type erase(const typename object_t::key_type& key)
-    {
-        // this erase only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            return m_value.object->erase(key);
-        }
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use erase() with " + type_name()));
-    }
+  @liveexample{The example compares several JSON types to the null pointer.
+  ,operator__notequal__nullptr_t}
 
-    /*!
-    @brief remove element from a JSON array given an index
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator!=(const_reference v, std::nullptr_t) noexcept
+  {
+    return not v.is_null();
+  }
 
-    Removes element from a JSON array at the index @a idx.
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: not equal
+  @copydoc operator!=(const_reference, std::nullptr_t)
+  */
+  friend bool operator!=(std::nullptr_t, const_reference v) noexcept
+  {
+    return not v.is_null();
+  }
 
-    @param[in] idx index of the element to remove
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: less than
 
-    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON array;
-    example: `"cannot use erase() with null"`
-    @throw std::out_of_range when `idx >= size()`; example: `"array index 17
-    is out of range"`
+  Compares whether one JSON value @a lhs is less than another JSON value @a
+  rhs according to the following rules:
+  - If @a lhs and @a rhs have the same type, the values are compared using
+    the default `<` operator.
+  - Integer and floating-point numbers are automatically converted before
+    comparison
+  - In case @a lhs and @a rhs have different types, the values are ignored
+    and the order of the types is considered, see
+    @ref operator<(const value_t, const value_t).
 
-    @complexity Linear in distance between @a idx and the end of the container.
+  @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
+  @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
+  @return whether @a lhs is less than @a rhs
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows the effect of `erase()`.,erase__size_type}
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-    @sa @ref erase(IteratorType) -- removes the element at a given position
-    @sa @ref erase(IteratorType, IteratorType) -- removes the elements in
-    the given range
-    @sa @ref erase(const typename object_t::key_type&) -- removes the element
-    from an object at the given key
+  @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
+  types.,operator__less}
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    void erase(const size_type idx)
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator<(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
+  {
+    const auto lhs_type = lhs.type();
+    const auto rhs_type = rhs.type();
+
+    if (lhs_type == rhs_type)
     {
-        // this erase only works for arrays
-        if (is_array())
+      switch (lhs_type)
+      {
+        case value_t::array:
         {
-            if (idx >= size())
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("array index " + std::to_string(idx) + " is out of range"));
-            }
-
-            m_value.array->erase(m_value.array->begin() + static_cast<difference_type>(idx));
+          return *lhs.m_value.array < *rhs.m_value.array;
         }
-        else
+        case value_t::object:
+        {
+          return *lhs.m_value.object < *rhs.m_value.object;
+        }
+        case value_t::null:
+        {
+          return false;
+        }
+        case value_t::string:
+        {
+          return *lhs.m_value.string < *rhs.m_value.string;
+        }
+        case value_t::boolean:
+        {
+          return lhs.m_value.boolean < rhs.m_value.boolean;
+        }
+        case value_t::number_integer:
+        {
+          return lhs.m_value.number_integer < rhs.m_value.number_integer;
+        }
+        case value_t::number_unsigned:
+        {
+          return lhs.m_value.number_unsigned < rhs.m_value.number_unsigned;
+        }
+        case value_t::number_float:
+        {
+          return lhs.m_value.number_float < rhs.m_value.number_float;
+        }
+        default:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use erase() with " + type_name()));
+          return false;
         }
+      }
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_integer and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_float)
+    {
+      return static_cast<number_float_t>(lhs.m_value.number_integer) <
+             rhs.m_value.number_float;
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_float and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_integer)
+    {
+      return lhs.m_value.number_float <
+             static_cast<number_float_t>(rhs.m_value.number_integer);
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_float)
+    {
+      return static_cast<number_float_t>(lhs.m_value.number_unsigned) <
+             rhs.m_value.number_float;
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_float and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned)
+    {
+      return lhs.m_value.number_float <
+             static_cast<number_float_t>(rhs.m_value.number_unsigned);
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_integer and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned)
+    {
+      return lhs.m_value.number_integer <
+             static_cast<number_integer_t>(rhs.m_value.number_unsigned);
+    }
+    else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned and
+             rhs_type == value_t::number_integer)
+    {
+      return static_cast<number_integer_t>(lhs.m_value.number_unsigned) <
+             rhs.m_value.number_integer;
     }
 
-    /// @}
+    // We only reach this line if we cannot compare values. In that case,
+    // we compare types. Note we have to call the operator explicitly,
+    // because MSVC has problems otherwise.
+    return operator<(lhs_type, rhs_type);
+  }
 
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: less than or equal
 
-    ////////////
-    // lookup //
-    ////////////
+  Compares whether one JSON value @a lhs is less than or equal to another
+  JSON value by calculating `not (rhs < lhs)`.
 
-    /// @name lookup
-    /// @{
+  @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
+  @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
+  @return whether @a lhs is less than or equal to @a rhs
 
-    /*!
-    @brief find an element in a JSON object
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-    Finds an element in a JSON object with key equivalent to @a key. If the
-    element is not found or the JSON value is not an object, end() is
-    returned.
+  @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
+  types.,operator__greater}
 
-    @note This method always returns @ref end() when executed on a JSON type
-          that is not an object.
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator<=(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
+  {
+    return not(rhs < lhs);
+  }
 
-    @param[in] key key value of the element to search for
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: greater than
 
-    @return Iterator to an element with key equivalent to @a key. If no such
-    element is found or the JSON value is not an object, past-the-end (see
-    @ref end()) iterator is returned.
+  Compares whether one JSON value @a lhs is greater than another
+  JSON value by calculating `not (lhs <= rhs)`.
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the JSON object.
+  @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
+  @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
+  @return whether @a lhs is greater than to @a rhs
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `find()` is used.,find__key_type}
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    iterator find(typename object_t::key_type key)
-    {
-        auto result = end();
+  @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
+  types.,operator__lessequal}
 
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            result.m_it.object_iterator = m_value.object->find(key);
-        }
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator>(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
+  {
+    return not(lhs <= rhs);
+  }
 
-        return result;
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief comparison: greater than or equal
 
-    /*!
-    @brief find an element in a JSON object
-    @copydoc find(typename object_t::key_type)
-    */
-    const_iterator find(typename object_t::key_type key) const
-    {
-        auto result = cend();
+  Compares whether one JSON value @a lhs is greater than or equal to another
+  JSON value by calculating `not (lhs < rhs)`.
 
-        if (is_object())
-        {
-            result.m_it.object_iterator = m_value.object->find(key);
-        }
+  @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
+  @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
+  @return whether @a lhs is greater than or equal to @a rhs
 
-        return result;
-    }
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns the number of occurrences of a key in a JSON object
+  @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
+  types.,operator__greaterequal}
 
-    Returns the number of elements with key @a key. If ObjectType is the
-    default `std::map` type, the return value will always be `0` (@a key was
-    not found) or `1` (@a key was found).
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend bool operator>=(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
+  {
+    return not(lhs < rhs);
+  }
 
-    @note This method always returns `0` when executed on a JSON type that is
-          not an object.
+  /// @}
 
-    @param[in] key key value of the element to count
+  ///////////////////
+  // serialization //
+  ///////////////////
 
-    @return Number of elements with key @a key. If the JSON value is not an
-    object, the return value will be `0`.
+  /// @name serialization
+  /// @{
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the JSON object.
+  /*!
+  @brief serialize to stream
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `count()` is used.,count}
+  Serialize the given JSON value @a j to the output stream @a o. The JSON
+  value will be serialized using the @ref dump member function. The
+  indentation of the output can be controlled with the member variable
+  `width` of the output stream @a o. For instance, using the manipulator
+  `std::setw(4)` on @a o sets the indentation level to `4` and the
+  serialization result is the same as calling `dump(4)`.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    size_type count(typename object_t::key_type key) const
-    {
-        // return 0 for all nonobject types
-        return is_object() ? m_value.object->count(key) : 0;
-    }
+  @note During serializaion, the locale and the precision of the output
+  stream @a o are changed. The original values are restored when the
+  function returns.
 
-    /// @}
+  @param[in,out] o  stream to serialize to
+  @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
 
+  @return the stream @a o
 
-    ///////////////
-    // iterators //
-    ///////////////
+  @complexity Linear.
 
-    /// @name iterators
-    /// @{
+  @liveexample{The example below shows the serialization with different
+  parameters to `width` to adjust the indentation level.,operator_serialize}
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns an iterator to the first element
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &o, const basic_json &j)
+  {
+    // read width member and use it as indentation parameter if nonzero
+    const bool pretty_print = (o.width() > 0);
+    const auto indentation = (pretty_print ? o.width() : 0);
 
-    Returns an iterator to the first element.
+    // reset width to 0 for subsequent calls to this stream
+    o.width(0);
 
-    @image html range-begin-end.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
+    // fix locale problems
+    const auto old_locale = o.imbue(std::locale::classic());
+    // set precision
 
-    @return iterator to the first element
+    // 6, 15 or 16 digits of precision allows round-trip IEEE 754
+    // string->float->string, string->double->string or string->long
+    // double->string; to be safe, we read this value from
+    // std::numeric_limits<number_float_t>::digits10
+    const auto old_precision =
+        o.precision(std::numeric_limits<double>::digits10);
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+    // do the actual serialization
+    j.dump(o, pretty_print, static_cast<unsigned int>(indentation));
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
+    // reset locale and precision
+    o.imbue(old_locale);
+    o.precision(old_precision);
+    return o;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief serialize to stream
+  @copydoc operator<<(std::ostream&, const basic_json&)
+  */
+  friend std::ostream &operator>>(const basic_json &j, std::ostream &o)
+  {
+    return o << j;
+  }
+
+  /// @}
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `begin()`.,begin}
+  /////////////////////
+  // deserialization //
+  /////////////////////
 
-    @sa @ref cbegin() -- returns a const iterator to the beginning
-    @sa @ref end() -- returns an iterator to the end
-    @sa @ref cend() -- returns a const iterator to the end
+  /// @name deserialization
+  /// @{
+
+  /*!
+  @brief deserialize from an array
+
+  This function reads from an array of 1-byte values.
+
+  @pre Each element of the container has a size of 1 byte. Violating this
+  precondition yields undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced
+  with a static assertion.**
+
+  @param[in] array  array to read from
+  @param[in] cb  a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
+  which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
+  (optional)
+
+  @return result of the deserialization
+
+  @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
+  LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
+  @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
+
+  @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function reading
+  from an array.,parse__array__parser_callback_t}
+
+  @since version 2.0.3
+  */
+  template <class T, std::size_t N>
+  static basic_json parse(T (&array)[N], const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+  {
+    // delegate the call to the iterator-range parse overload
+    return parse(std::begin(array), std::end(array), cb);
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief deserialize from string literal
+
+  @tparam CharT character/literal type with size of 1 byte
+  @param[in] s  string literal to read a serialized JSON value from
+  @param[in] cb a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
+  which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
+  (optional)
+
+  @return result of the deserialization
+
+  @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
+  LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
+  @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
+
+  @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+  @note String containers like `std::string` or @ref string_t can be parsed
+        with @ref parse(const ContiguousContainer&, const parser_callback_t)
+
+  @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function with
+  and without callback function.,parse__string__parser_callback_t}
+
+  @sa @ref parse(std::istream&, const parser_callback_t) for a version that
+  reads from an input stream
+
+  @since version 1.0.0 (originally for @ref string_t)
+  */
+  template <typename CharT,
+            typename std::enable_if<
+                std::is_pointer<CharT>::value and
+                    std::is_integral<
+                        typename std::remove_pointer<CharT>::type>::value and
+                    sizeof(typename std::remove_pointer<CharT>::type) == 1,
+                int>::type = 0>
+  static basic_json parse(const CharT s, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+  {
+    return parser(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(s), cb).parse();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief deserialize from stream
+
+  @param[in,out] i  stream to read a serialized JSON value from
+  @param[in] cb a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
+  which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
+  (optional)
+
+  @return result of the deserialization
+
+  @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
+  LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
+  @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
+
+  @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function with
+  and without callback function.,parse__istream__parser_callback_t}
+
+  @sa @ref parse(const CharT, const parser_callback_t) for a version
+  that reads from a string
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  static basic_json parse(std::istream &i, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+  {
+    return parser(i, cb).parse();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @copydoc parse(std::istream&, const parser_callback_t)
+  */
+  static basic_json parse(std::istream &&i,
+                          const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+  {
+    return parser(i, cb).parse();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief deserialize from an iterator range with contiguous storage
+
+  This function reads from an iterator range of a container with contiguous
+  storage of 1-byte values. Compatible container types include
+  `std::vector`, `std::string`, `std::array`, `std::valarray`, and
+  `std::initializer_list`. Furthermore, C-style arrays can be used with
+  `std::begin()`/`std::end()`. User-defined containers can be used as long
+  as they implement random-access iterators and a contiguous storage.
+
+  @pre The iterator range is contiguous. Violating this precondition yields
+  undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced with an assertion.**
+  @pre Each element in the range has a size of 1 byte. Violating this
+  precondition yields undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced
+  with a static assertion.**
+
+  @warning There is no way to enforce all preconditions at compile-time. If
+           the function is called with noncompliant iterators and with
+           assertions switched off, the behavior is undefined and will most
+           likely yield segmentation violation.
+
+  @tparam IteratorType iterator of container with contiguous storage
+  @param[in] first  begin of the range to parse (included)
+  @param[in] last  end of the range to parse (excluded)
+  @param[in] cb  a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
+  which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
+  (optional)
+
+  @return result of the deserialization
+
+  @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
+  LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
+  @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
+
+  @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function reading
+  from an iterator range.,parse__iteratortype__parser_callback_t}
+
+  @since version 2.0.3
+  */
+  template <class IteratorType,
+            typename std::enable_if<
+                std::is_base_of<std::random_access_iterator_tag,
+                                typename std::iterator_traits<
+                                    IteratorType>::iterator_category>::value,
+                int>::type = 0>
+  static basic_json parse(IteratorType first, IteratorType last,
+                          const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+  {
+    // assertion to check that the iterator range is indeed contiguous,
+    // see http://stackoverflow.com/a/35008842/266378 for more discussion
+    assert(std::accumulate(
+               first, last, std::pair<bool, int>(true, 0),
+               [&first](std::pair<bool, int> res, decltype(*first) val) {
+                 res.first &=
+                     (val ==
+                      *(std::next(std::addressof(*first), res.second++)));
+                 return res;
+               })
+               .first);
+
+    // assertion to check that each element is 1 byte long
+    static_assert(
+        sizeof(typename std::iterator_traits<IteratorType>::value_type) == 1,
+        "each element in the iterator range must have the size of 1 byte");
+
+    // if iterator range is empty, create a parser with an empty string
+    // to generate "unexpected EOF" error message
+    if (std::distance(first, last) <= 0)
+    {
+      return parser("").parse();
+    }
+
+    return parser(first, last, cb).parse();
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief deserialize from a container with contiguous storage
+
+  This function reads from a container with contiguous storage of 1-byte
+  values. Compatible container types include `std::vector`, `std::string`,
+  `std::array`, and `std::initializer_list`. User-defined containers can be
+  used as long as they implement random-access iterators and a contiguous
+  storage.
+
+  @pre The container storage is contiguous. Violating this precondition
+  yields undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced with an
+  assertion.**
+  @pre Each element of the container has a size of 1 byte. Violating this
+  precondition yields undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced
+  with a static assertion.**
+
+  @warning There is no way to enforce all preconditions at compile-time. If
+           the function is called with a noncompliant container and with
+           assertions switched off, the behavior is undefined and will most
+           likely yield segmentation violation.
+
+  @tparam ContiguousContainer container type with contiguous storage
+  @param[in] c  container to read from
+  @param[in] cb  a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
+  which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
+  (optional)
+
+  @return result of the deserialization
+
+  @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
+  LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
+  @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
+
+  @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function reading
+  from a contiguous container.,parse__contiguouscontainer__parser_callback_t}
+
+  @since version 2.0.3
+  */
+  template <
+      class ContiguousContainer,
+      typename std::enable_if<
+          not std::is_pointer<ContiguousContainer>::value and
+              std::is_base_of<std::random_access_iterator_tag,
+                              typename std::iterator_traits<decltype(std::begin(
+                                  std::declval<ContiguousContainer const>()))>::
+                                  iterator_category>::value,
+          int>::type = 0>
+  static basic_json parse(const ContiguousContainer &c,
+                          const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+  {
+    // delegate the call to the iterator-range parse overload
+    return parse(std::begin(c), std::end(c), cb);
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief deserialize from stream
+
+  Deserializes an input stream to a JSON value.
+
+  @param[in,out] i  input stream to read a serialized JSON value from
+  @param[in,out] j  JSON value to write the deserialized input to
+
+  @throw std::invalid_argument in case of parse errors
+
+  @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
+  LL(1) parser.
+
+  @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+
+  @liveexample{The example below shows how a JSON value is constructed by
+  reading a serialization from a stream.,operator_deserialize}
+
+  @sa parse(std::istream&, const parser_callback_t) for a variant with a
+  parser callback function to filter values while parsing
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  friend std::istream &operator<<(basic_json &j, std::istream &i)
+  {
+    j = parser(i).parse();
+    return i;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief deserialize from stream
+  @copydoc operator<<(basic_json&, std::istream&)
+  */
+  friend std::istream &operator>>(std::istream &i, basic_json &j)
+  {
+    j = parser(i).parse();
+    return i;
+  }
+
+  /// @}
+
+  //////////////////////////////////////////
+  // binary serialization/deserialization //
+  //////////////////////////////////////////
+
+  /// @name binary serialization/deserialization support
+  /// @{
+
+private:
+  template <typename T>
+  static void add_to_vector(std::vector<uint8_t> &vec, size_t bytes,
+                            const T number)
+  {
+    assert(bytes == 1 or bytes == 2 or bytes == 4 or bytes == 8);
+
+    switch (bytes)
+    {
+      case 8:
+      {
+        vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 070) & 0xff));
+        vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 060) & 0xff));
+        vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 050) & 0xff));
+        vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 040) & 0xff));
+        // intentional fall-through
+      }
+
+      case 4:
+      {
+        vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 030) & 0xff));
+        vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 020) & 0xff));
+        // intentional fall-through
+      }
+
+      case 2:
+      {
+        vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 010) & 0xff));
+        // intentional fall-through
+      }
+
+      case 1:
+      {
+        vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(number & 0xff));
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief take sufficient bytes from a vector to fill an integer variable
+
+  In the context of binary serialization formats, we need to read several
+  bytes from a byte vector and combine them to multi-byte integral data
+  types.
+
+  @param[in] vec  byte vector to read from
+  @param[in] current_index  the position in the vector after which to read
+
+  @return the next sizeof(T) bytes from @a vec, in reverse order as T
+
+  @tparam T the integral return type
+
+  @throw std::out_of_range if there are less than sizeof(T)+1 bytes in the
+         vector @a vec to read
+
+  In the for loop, the bytes from the vector are copied in reverse order into
+  the return value. In the figures below, let sizeof(T)=4 and `i` be the loop
+  variable.
+
+  Precondition:
+
+  vec:   |   |   | a | b | c | d |      T: |   |   |   |   |
+               ^               ^             ^                ^
+         current_index         i            ptr        sizeof(T)
+
+  Postcondition:
+
+  vec:   |   |   | a | b | c | d |      T: | d | c | b | a |
+               ^   ^                                     ^
+               |   i                                    ptr
+         current_index
+
+  @sa Code adapted from <http://stackoverflow.com/a/41031865/266378>.
+  */
+  template <typename T>
+  static T get_from_vector(const std::vector<uint8_t> &vec,
+                           const size_t current_index)
+  {
+    if (current_index + sizeof(T) + 1 > vec.size())
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot read " + std::to_string(sizeof(T)) +
+                                   " bytes from vector"));
+    }
+
+    T result;
+    auto *ptr = reinterpret_cast<uint8_t *>(&result);
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < sizeof(T); ++i)
+    {
+      *ptr++ = vec[current_index + sizeof(T) - i];
+    }
+    return result;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create a MessagePack serialization of a given JSON value
+
+  This is a straightforward implementation of the MessagePack specification.
+
+  @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
+  @param[in,out] v  byte vector to write the serialization to
+
+  @sa https://github.com/msgpack/msgpack/blob/master/spec.md
+  */
+  static void to_msgpack_internal(const basic_json &j, std::vector<uint8_t> &v)
+  {
+    switch (j.type())
+    {
+      case value_t::null:
+      {
+        // nil
+        v.push_back(0xc0);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      {
+        // true and false
+        v.push_back(j.m_value.boolean ? 0xc3 : 0xc2);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      {
+        if (j.m_value.number_integer >= 0)
+        {
+          // MessagePack does not differentiate between positive
+          // signed integers and unsigned integers. Therefore, we
+          // used the code from the value_t::number_unsigned case
+          // here.
+          if (j.m_value.number_unsigned < 128)
+          {
+            // positive fixnum
+            add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT8_MAX)
+          {
+            // uint 8
+            v.push_back(0xcc);
+            add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT16_MAX)
+          {
+            // uint 16
+            v.push_back(0xcd);
+            add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT32_MAX)
+          {
+            // uint 32
+            v.push_back(0xce);
+            add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT64_MAX)
+          {
+            // uint 64
+            v.push_back(0xcf);
+            add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+          }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+          if (j.m_value.number_integer >= -32)
+          {
+            // negative fixnum
+            add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_integer >= INT8_MIN and
+                   j.m_value.number_integer <= INT8_MAX)
+          {
+            // int 8
+            v.push_back(0xd0);
+            add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_integer >= INT16_MIN and
+                   j.m_value.number_integer <= INT16_MAX)
+          {
+            // int 16
+            v.push_back(0xd1);
+            add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_integer >= INT32_MIN and
+                   j.m_value.number_integer <= INT32_MAX)
+          {
+            // int 32
+            v.push_back(0xd2);
+            add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_integer >= INT64_MIN and
+                   j.m_value.number_integer <= INT64_MAX)
+          {
+            // int 64
+            v.push_back(0xd3);
+            add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+        }
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      {
+        if (j.m_value.number_unsigned < 128)
+        {
+          // positive fixnum
+          add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT8_MAX)
+        {
+          // uint 8
+          v.push_back(0xcc);
+          add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT16_MAX)
+        {
+          // uint 16
+          v.push_back(0xcd);
+          add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT32_MAX)
+        {
+          // uint 32
+          v.push_back(0xce);
+          add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT64_MAX)
+        {
+          // uint 64
+          v.push_back(0xcf);
+          add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    iterator begin() noexcept
-    {
-        iterator result(this);
-        result.set_begin();
-        return result;
-    }
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      {
+        // float 64
+        v.push_back(0xcb);
+        const auto *helper =
+            reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t *>(&(j.m_value.number_float));
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < 8; ++i)
+        {
+          v.push_back(helper[7 - i]);
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    /*!
-    @copydoc basic_json::cbegin()
-    */
-    const_iterator begin() const noexcept
-    {
-        return cbegin();
-    }
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        const auto N = j.m_value.string->size();
+        if (N <= 31)
+        {
+          // fixstr
+          v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(0xa0 | N));
+        }
+        else if (N <= 255)
+        {
+          // str 8
+          v.push_back(0xd9);
+          add_to_vector(v, 1, N);
+        }
+        else if (N <= 65535)
+        {
+          // str 16
+          v.push_back(0xda);
+          add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
+        }
+        else if (N <= 4294967295)
+        {
+          // str 32
+          v.push_back(0xdb);
+          add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
+        }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns a const iterator to the first element
+        // append string
+        std::copy(j.m_value.string->begin(), j.m_value.string->end(),
+                  std::back_inserter(v));
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        const auto N = j.m_value.array->size();
+        if (N <= 15)
+        {
+          // fixarray
+          v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(0x90 | N));
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xffff)
+        {
+          // array 16
+          v.push_back(0xdc);
+          add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xffffffff)
+        {
+          // array 32
+          v.push_back(0xdd);
+          add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
+        }
 
-    Returns a const iterator to the first element.
+        // append each element
+        for (const auto &el : *j.m_value.array)
+        {
+          to_msgpack_internal(el, v);
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @image html range-begin-end.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        const auto N = j.m_value.object->size();
+        if (N <= 15)
+        {
+          // fixmap
+          v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(0x80 | (N & 0xf)));
+        }
+        else if (N <= 65535)
+        {
+          // map 16
+          v.push_back(0xde);
+          add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
+        }
+        else if (N <= 4294967295)
+        {
+          // map 32
+          v.push_back(0xdf);
+          add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
+        }
 
-    @return const iterator to the first element
+        // append each element
+        for (const auto &el : *j.m_value.object)
+        {
+          to_msgpack_internal(el.first, v);
+          to_msgpack_internal(el.second, v);
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+      default:
+      {
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+  }
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of `const_cast<const basic_json&>(*this).begin()`.
+  /*!
+  @brief create a CBOR serialization of a given JSON value
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `cbegin()`.,cbegin}
+  This is a straightforward implementation of the CBOR specification.
 
-    @sa @ref begin() -- returns an iterator to the beginning
-    @sa @ref end() -- returns an iterator to the end
-    @sa @ref cend() -- returns a const iterator to the end
+  @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
+  @param[in,out] v  byte vector to write the serialization to
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    const_iterator cbegin() const noexcept
+  @sa https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7049
+  */
+  static void to_cbor_internal(const basic_json &j, std::vector<uint8_t> &v)
+  {
+    switch (j.type())
     {
-        const_iterator result(this);
-        result.set_begin();
-        return result;
-    }
+      case value_t::null:
+      {
+        v.push_back(0xf6);
+        break;
+      }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns an iterator to one past the last element
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      {
+        v.push_back(j.m_value.boolean ? 0xf5 : 0xf4);
+        break;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      {
+        if (j.m_value.number_integer >= 0)
+        {
+          // CBOR does not differentiate between positive signed
+          // integers and unsigned integers. Therefore, we used the
+          // code from the value_t::number_unsigned case here.
+          if (j.m_value.number_integer <= 0x17)
+          {
+            add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_integer <= UINT8_MAX)
+          {
+            v.push_back(0x18);
+            // one-byte uint8_t
+            add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_integer <= UINT16_MAX)
+          {
+            v.push_back(0x19);
+            // two-byte uint16_t
+            add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+          else if (j.m_value.number_integer <= UINT32_MAX)
+          {
+            v.push_back(0x1a);
+            // four-byte uint32_t
+            add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            v.push_back(0x1b);
+            // eight-byte uint64_t
+            add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_integer);
+          }
+        }
+        else
+        {
+          // The conversions below encode the sign in the first
+          // byte, and the value is converted to a positive number.
+          const auto positive_number = -1 - j.m_value.number_integer;
+          if (j.m_value.number_integer >= -24)
+          {
+            v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(0x20 + positive_number));
+          }
+          else if (positive_number <= UINT8_MAX)
+          {
+            // int 8
+            v.push_back(0x38);
+            add_to_vector(v, 1, positive_number);
+          }
+          else if (positive_number <= UINT16_MAX)
+          {
+            // int 16
+            v.push_back(0x39);
+            add_to_vector(v, 2, positive_number);
+          }
+          else if (positive_number <= UINT32_MAX)
+          {
+            // int 32
+            v.push_back(0x3a);
+            add_to_vector(v, 4, positive_number);
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            // int 64
+            v.push_back(0x3b);
+            add_to_vector(v, 8, positive_number);
+          }
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    Returns an iterator to one past the last element.
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      {
+        if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0x17)
+        {
+          v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(j.m_value.number_unsigned));
+        }
+        else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0xff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x18);
+          // one-byte uint8_t
+          add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0xffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x19);
+          // two-byte uint16_t
+          add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0xffffffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x1a);
+          // four-byte uint32_t
+          add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0xffffffffffffffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x1b);
+          // eight-byte uint64_t
+          add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @image html range-begin-end.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      {
+        // Double-Precision Float
+        v.push_back(0xfb);
+        const auto *helper =
+            reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t *>(&(j.m_value.number_float));
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < 8; ++i)
+        {
+          v.push_back(helper[7 - i]);
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @return iterator one past the last element
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        const auto N = j.m_value.string->size();
+        if (N <= 0x17)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x60 + N); // 1 byte for string + size
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x78); // one-byte uint8_t for N
+          add_to_vector(v, 1, N);
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x79); // two-byte uint16_t for N
+          add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xffffffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x7a); // four-byte uint32_t for N
+          add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
+        }
+        // LCOV_EXCL_START
+        else if (N <= 0xffffffffffffffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x7b); // eight-byte uint64_t for N
+          add_to_vector(v, 8, N);
+        }
+        // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+        // append string
+        std::copy(j.m_value.string->begin(), j.m_value.string->end(),
+                  std::back_inserter(v));
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        const auto N = j.m_value.array->size();
+        if (N <= 0x17)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x80 + N); // 1 byte for array + size
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x98); // one-byte uint8_t for N
+          add_to_vector(v, 1, N);
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x99); // two-byte uint16_t for N
+          add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xffffffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x9a); // four-byte uint32_t for N
+          add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
+        }
+        // LCOV_EXCL_START
+        else if (N <= 0xffffffffffffffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0x9b); // eight-byte uint64_t for N
+          add_to_vector(v, 8, N);
+        }
+        // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `end()`.,end}
+        // append each element
+        for (const auto &el : *j.m_value.array)
+        {
+          to_cbor_internal(el, v);
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    @sa @ref cend() -- returns a const iterator to the end
-    @sa @ref begin() -- returns an iterator to the beginning
-    @sa @ref cbegin() -- returns a const iterator to the beginning
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        const auto N = j.m_value.object->size();
+        if (N <= 0x17)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0xa0 + N); // 1 byte for object + size
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0xb8);
+          add_to_vector(v, 1, N); // one-byte uint8_t for N
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0xb9);
+          add_to_vector(v, 2, N); // two-byte uint16_t for N
+        }
+        else if (N <= 0xffffffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0xba);
+          add_to_vector(v, 4, N); // four-byte uint32_t for N
+        }
+        // LCOV_EXCL_START
+        else if (N <= 0xffffffffffffffff)
+        {
+          v.push_back(0xbb);
+          add_to_vector(v, 8, N); // eight-byte uint64_t for N
+        }
+        // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    iterator end() noexcept
-    {
-        iterator result(this);
-        result.set_end();
-        return result;
-    }
+        // append each element
+        for (const auto &el : *j.m_value.object)
+        {
+          to_cbor_internal(el.first, v);
+          to_cbor_internal(el.second, v);
+        }
+        break;
+      }
 
-    /*!
-    @copydoc basic_json::cend()
-    */
-    const_iterator end() const noexcept
-    {
-        return cend();
+      default:
+      {
+        break;
+      }
     }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns a const iterator to one past the last element
-
-    Returns a const iterator to one past the last element.
+  /*
+  @brief checks if given lengths do not exceed the size of a given vector
 
-    @image html range-begin-end.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
+  To secure the access to the byte vector during CBOR/MessagePack
+  deserialization, bytes are copied from the vector into buffers. This
+  function checks if the number of bytes to copy (@a len) does not exceed
+  the size @s size of the vector. Additionally, an @a offset is given from
+  where to start reading the bytes.
 
-    @return const iterator one past the last element
+  This function checks whether reading the bytes is safe; that is, offset is
+  a valid index in the vector, offset+len
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @param[in] size    size of the byte vector
+  @param[in] len     number of bytes to read
+  @param[in] offset  offset where to start reading
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of `const_cast<const basic_json&>(*this).end()`.
+  vec:  x x x x x X X X X X
+        ^         ^         ^
+        0         offset    len
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `cend()`.,cend}
+  @throws out_of_range if `len > v.size()`
+  */
+  static void check_length(const size_t size, const size_t len,
+                           const size_t offset)
+  {
+    // simple case: requested length is greater than the vector's length
+    if (len > size or offset > size)
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("len out of range"));
+    }
 
-    @sa @ref end() -- returns an iterator to the end
-    @sa @ref begin() -- returns an iterator to the beginning
-    @sa @ref cbegin() -- returns a const iterator to the beginning
+    // second case: adding offset would result in overflow
+    if ((size > (std::numeric_limits<size_t>::max() - offset)))
+    {
+      JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("len+offset out of range"));
+    }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    const_iterator cend() const noexcept
+    // last case: reading past the end of the vector
+    if (len + offset > size)
     {
-        const_iterator result(this);
-        result.set_end();
-        return result;
+      JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("len+offset out of range"));
     }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns an iterator to the reverse-beginning
+  /*!
+  @brief create a JSON value from a given MessagePack vector
 
-    Returns an iterator to the reverse-beginning; that is, the last element.
+  @param[in] v  MessagePack serialization
+  @param[in] idx  byte index to start reading from @a v
 
-    @image html range-rbegin-rend.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
+  @return deserialized JSON value
 
-    @complexity Constant.
-
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of `reverse_iterator(end())`.
+  @throw std::invalid_argument if unsupported features from MessagePack were
+  used in the given vector @a v or if the input is not valid MessagePack
+  @throw std::out_of_range if the given vector ends prematurely
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `rbegin()`.,rbegin}
+  @sa https://github.com/msgpack/msgpack/blob/master/spec.md
+  */
+  static basic_json from_msgpack_internal(const std::vector<uint8_t> &v,
+                                          size_t &idx)
+  {
+    // make sure reading 1 byte is safe
+    check_length(v.size(), 1, idx);
 
-    @sa @ref crbegin() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the beginning
-    @sa @ref rend() -- returns a reverse iterator to the end
-    @sa @ref crend() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the end
+    // store and increment index
+    const size_t current_idx = idx++;
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reverse_iterator rbegin() noexcept
+    if (v[current_idx] <= 0xbf)
     {
-        return reverse_iterator(end());
+      if (v[current_idx] <= 0x7f) // positive fixint
+      {
+        return v[current_idx];
+      }
+      if (v[current_idx] <= 0x8f) // fixmap
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::object;
+        const size_t len = v[current_idx] & 0x0f;
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          std::string key = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
+          result[key] = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
+      else if (v[current_idx] <= 0x9f) // fixarray
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::array;
+        const size_t len = v[current_idx] & 0x0f;
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          result.push_back(from_msgpack_internal(v, idx));
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
+      else // fixstr
+      {
+        const size_t len = v[current_idx] & 0x1f;
+        const size_t offset = current_idx + 1;
+        idx += len; // skip content bytes
+        check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+        return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                           len);
+      }
     }
-
-    /*!
-    @copydoc basic_json::crbegin()
-    */
-    const_reverse_iterator rbegin() const noexcept
+    else if (v[current_idx] >= 0xe0) // negative fixint
     {
-        return crbegin();
+      return static_cast<int8_t>(v[current_idx]);
     }
+    else
+    {
+      switch (v[current_idx])
+      {
+        case 0xc0: // nil
+        {
+          return value_t::null;
+        }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns an iterator to the reverse-end
+        case 0xc2: // false
+        {
+          return false;
+        }
 
-    Returns an iterator to the reverse-end; that is, one before the first
-    element.
+        case 0xc3: // true
+        {
+          return true;
+        }
 
-    @image html range-rbegin-rend.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
+        case 0xca: // float 32
+        {
+          // copy bytes in reverse order into the double variable
+          float res;
+          for (size_t byte = 0; byte < sizeof(float); ++byte)
+          {
+            reinterpret_cast<uint8_t *>(&res)[sizeof(float) - byte - 1] =
+                v.at(current_idx + 1 + byte);
+          }
+          idx += sizeof(float); // skip content bytes
+          return res;
+        }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+        case 0xcb: // float 64
+        {
+          // copy bytes in reverse order into the double variable
+          double res;
+          for (size_t byte = 0; byte < sizeof(double); ++byte)
+          {
+            reinterpret_cast<uint8_t *>(&res)[sizeof(double) - byte - 1] =
+                v.at(current_idx + 1 + byte);
+          }
+          idx += sizeof(double); // skip content bytes
+          return res;
+        }
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of `reverse_iterator(begin())`.
+        case 0xcc: // uint 8
+        {
+          idx += 1; // skip content byte
+          return get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx);
+        }
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `rend()`.,rend}
+        case 0xcd: // uint 16
+        {
+          idx += 2; // skip 2 content bytes
+          return get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx);
+        }
 
-    @sa @ref crend() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the end
-    @sa @ref rbegin() -- returns a reverse iterator to the beginning
-    @sa @ref crbegin() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the beginning
+        case 0xce: // uint 32
+        {
+          idx += 4; // skip 4 content bytes
+          return get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx);
+        }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    reverse_iterator rend() noexcept
-    {
-        return reverse_iterator(begin());
-    }
+        case 0xcf: // uint 64
+        {
+          idx += 8; // skip 8 content bytes
+          return get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx);
+        }
 
-    /*!
-    @copydoc basic_json::crend()
-    */
-    const_reverse_iterator rend() const noexcept
-    {
-        return crend();
-    }
+        case 0xd0: // int 8
+        {
+          idx += 1; // skip content byte
+          return get_from_vector<int8_t>(v, current_idx);
+        }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns a const reverse iterator to the last element
+        case 0xd1: // int 16
+        {
+          idx += 2; // skip 2 content bytes
+          return get_from_vector<int16_t>(v, current_idx);
+        }
 
-    Returns a const iterator to the reverse-beginning; that is, the last
-    element.
+        case 0xd2: // int 32
+        {
+          idx += 4; // skip 4 content bytes
+          return get_from_vector<int32_t>(v, current_idx);
+        }
 
-    @image html range-rbegin-rend.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
+        case 0xd3: // int 64
+        {
+          idx += 8; // skip 8 content bytes
+          return get_from_vector<int64_t>(v, current_idx);
+        }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+        case 0xd9: // str 8
+        {
+          const auto len =
+              static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx));
+          const size_t offset = current_idx + 2;
+          idx += len + 1; // skip size byte + content bytes
+          check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+          return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                             len);
+        }
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of `const_cast<const basic_json&>(*this).rbegin()`.
+        case 0xda: // str 16
+        {
+          const auto len =
+              static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
+          const size_t offset = current_idx + 3;
+          idx += len + 2; // skip 2 size bytes + content bytes
+          check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+          return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                             len);
+        }
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `crbegin()`.,crbegin}
+        case 0xdb: // str 32
+        {
+          const auto len =
+              static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
+          const size_t offset = current_idx + 5;
+          idx += len + 4; // skip 4 size bytes + content bytes
+          check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+          return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                             len);
+        }
 
-    @sa @ref rbegin() -- returns a reverse iterator to the beginning
-    @sa @ref rend() -- returns a reverse iterator to the end
-    @sa @ref crend() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the end
+        case 0xdc: // array 16
+        {
+          basic_json result = value_t::array;
+          const auto len =
+              static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
+          idx += 2; // skip 2 size bytes
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+          {
+            result.push_back(from_msgpack_internal(v, idx));
+          }
+          return result;
+        }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    const_reverse_iterator crbegin() const noexcept
-    {
-        return const_reverse_iterator(cend());
-    }
+        case 0xdd: // array 32
+        {
+          basic_json result = value_t::array;
+          const auto len =
+              static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
+          idx += 4; // skip 4 size bytes
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+          {
+            result.push_back(from_msgpack_internal(v, idx));
+          }
+          return result;
+        }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns a const reverse iterator to one before the first
+        case 0xde: // map 16
+        {
+          basic_json result = value_t::object;
+          const auto len =
+              static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
+          idx += 2; // skip 2 size bytes
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+          {
+            std::string key = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
+            result[key] = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
+          }
+          return result;
+        }
 
-    Returns a const reverse iterator to the reverse-end; that is, one before
-    the first element.
+        case 0xdf: // map 32
+        {
+          basic_json result = value_t::object;
+          const auto len =
+              static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
+          idx += 4; // skip 4 size bytes
+          for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+          {
+            std::string key = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
+            result[key] = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
+          }
+          return result;
+        }
+
+        default:
+        {
+          JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(
+              "error parsing a msgpack @ " + std::to_string(current_idx) +
+              ": " + std::to_string(static_cast<int>(v[current_idx]))));
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create a JSON value from a given CBOR vector
+
+  @param[in] v  CBOR serialization
+  @param[in] idx  byte index to start reading from @a v
+
+  @return deserialized JSON value
+
+  @throw std::invalid_argument if unsupported features from CBOR were used in
+  the given vector @a v or if the input is not valid CBOR
+  @throw std::out_of_range if the given vector ends prematurely
+
+  @sa https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7049
+  */
+  static basic_json from_cbor_internal(const std::vector<uint8_t> &v,
+                                       size_t &idx)
+  {
+    // store and increment index
+    const size_t current_idx = idx++;
+
+    switch (v.at(current_idx))
+    {
+      // Integer 0x00..0x17 (0..23)
+      case 0x00:
+      case 0x01:
+      case 0x02:
+      case 0x03:
+      case 0x04:
+      case 0x05:
+      case 0x06:
+      case 0x07:
+      case 0x08:
+      case 0x09:
+      case 0x0a:
+      case 0x0b:
+      case 0x0c:
+      case 0x0d:
+      case 0x0e:
+      case 0x0f:
+      case 0x10:
+      case 0x11:
+      case 0x12:
+      case 0x13:
+      case 0x14:
+      case 0x15:
+      case 0x16:
+      case 0x17:
+      {
+        return v[current_idx];
+      }
+
+      case 0x18: // Unsigned integer (one-byte uint8_t follows)
+      {
+        idx += 1; // skip content byte
+        return get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx);
+      }
+
+      case 0x19: // Unsigned integer (two-byte uint16_t follows)
+      {
+        idx += 2; // skip 2 content bytes
+        return get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx);
+      }
+
+      case 0x1a: // Unsigned integer (four-byte uint32_t follows)
+      {
+        idx += 4; // skip 4 content bytes
+        return get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx);
+      }
+
+      case 0x1b: // Unsigned integer (eight-byte uint64_t follows)
+      {
+        idx += 8; // skip 8 content bytes
+        return get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx);
+      }
+
+      // Negative integer -1-0x00..-1-0x17 (-1..-24)
+      case 0x20:
+      case 0x21:
+      case 0x22:
+      case 0x23:
+      case 0x24:
+      case 0x25:
+      case 0x26:
+      case 0x27:
+      case 0x28:
+      case 0x29:
+      case 0x2a:
+      case 0x2b:
+      case 0x2c:
+      case 0x2d:
+      case 0x2e:
+      case 0x2f:
+      case 0x30:
+      case 0x31:
+      case 0x32:
+      case 0x33:
+      case 0x34:
+      case 0x35:
+      case 0x36:
+      case 0x37:
+      {
+        return static_cast<int8_t>(0x20 - 1 - v[current_idx]);
+      }
+
+      case 0x38: // Negative integer (one-byte uint8_t follows)
+      {
+        idx += 1; // skip content byte
+        // must be uint8_t !
+        return static_cast<number_integer_t>(-1) -
+               get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx);
+      }
+
+      case 0x39: // Negative integer -1-n (two-byte uint16_t follows)
+      {
+        idx += 2; // skip 2 content bytes
+        return static_cast<number_integer_t>(-1) -
+               get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx);
+      }
+
+      case 0x3a: // Negative integer -1-n (four-byte uint32_t follows)
+      {
+        idx += 4; // skip 4 content bytes
+        return static_cast<number_integer_t>(-1) -
+               get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx);
+      }
+
+      case 0x3b: // Negative integer -1-n (eight-byte uint64_t follows)
+      {
+        idx += 8; // skip 8 content bytes
+        return static_cast<number_integer_t>(-1) -
+               static_cast<number_integer_t>(
+                   get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx));
+      }
+
+      // UTF-8 string (0x00..0x17 bytes follow)
+      case 0x60:
+      case 0x61:
+      case 0x62:
+      case 0x63:
+      case 0x64:
+      case 0x65:
+      case 0x66:
+      case 0x67:
+      case 0x68:
+      case 0x69:
+      case 0x6a:
+      case 0x6b:
+      case 0x6c:
+      case 0x6d:
+      case 0x6e:
+      case 0x6f:
+      case 0x70:
+      case 0x71:
+      case 0x72:
+      case 0x73:
+      case 0x74:
+      case 0x75:
+      case 0x76:
+      case 0x77:
+      {
+        const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(v[current_idx] - 0x60);
+        const size_t offset = current_idx + 1;
+        idx += len; // skip content bytes
+        check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+        return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                           len);
+      }
+
+      case 0x78: // UTF-8 string (one-byte uint8_t for n follows)
+      {
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx));
+        const size_t offset = current_idx + 2;
+        idx += len + 1; // skip size byte + content bytes
+        check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+        return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                           len);
+      }
+
+      case 0x79: // UTF-8 string (two-byte uint16_t for n follow)
+      {
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
+        const size_t offset = current_idx + 3;
+        idx += len + 2; // skip 2 size bytes + content bytes
+        check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+        return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                           len);
+      }
+
+      case 0x7a: // UTF-8 string (four-byte uint32_t for n follow)
+      {
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
+        const size_t offset = current_idx + 5;
+        idx += len + 4; // skip 4 size bytes + content bytes
+        check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+        return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                           len);
+      }
+
+      case 0x7b: // UTF-8 string (eight-byte uint64_t for n follow)
+      {
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx));
+        const size_t offset = current_idx + 9;
+        idx += len + 8; // skip 8 size bytes + content bytes
+        check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
+        return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(v.data()) + offset,
+                           len);
+      }
+
+      case 0x7f: // UTF-8 string (indefinite length)
+      {
+        std::string result;
+        while (v.at(idx) != 0xff)
+        {
+          string_t s = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+          result += s;
+        }
+        // skip break byte (0xFF)
+        idx += 1;
+        return result;
+      }
+
+      // array (0x00..0x17 data items follow)
+      case 0x80:
+      case 0x81:
+      case 0x82:
+      case 0x83:
+      case 0x84:
+      case 0x85:
+      case 0x86:
+      case 0x87:
+      case 0x88:
+      case 0x89:
+      case 0x8a:
+      case 0x8b:
+      case 0x8c:
+      case 0x8d:
+      case 0x8e:
+      case 0x8f:
+      case 0x90:
+      case 0x91:
+      case 0x92:
+      case 0x93:
+      case 0x94:
+      case 0x95:
+      case 0x96:
+      case 0x97:
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::array;
+        const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(v[current_idx] - 0x80);
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    @image html range-rbegin-rend.svg "Illustration from cppreference.com"
+      case 0x98: // array (one-byte uint8_t for n follows)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::array;
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx));
+        idx += 1; // skip 1 size byte
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+      case 0x99: // array (two-byte uint16_t for n follow)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::array;
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
+        idx += 2; // skip 4 size bytes
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [ReversibleContainer](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/ReversibleContainer)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of `const_cast<const basic_json&>(*this).rend()`.
+      case 0x9a: // array (four-byte uint32_t for n follow)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::array;
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
+        idx += 4; // skip 4 size bytes
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows an example for `crend()`.,crend}
+      case 0x9b: // array (eight-byte uint64_t for n follow)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::array;
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx));
+        idx += 8; // skip 8 size bytes
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    @sa @ref rend() -- returns a reverse iterator to the end
-    @sa @ref rbegin() -- returns a reverse iterator to the beginning
-    @sa @ref crbegin() -- returns a const reverse iterator to the beginning
+      case 0x9f: // array (indefinite length)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::array;
+        while (v.at(idx) != 0xff)
+        {
+          result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
+        }
+        // skip break byte (0xFF)
+        idx += 1;
+        return result;
+      }
+
+      // map (0x00..0x17 pairs of data items follow)
+      case 0xa0:
+      case 0xa1:
+      case 0xa2:
+      case 0xa3:
+      case 0xa4:
+      case 0xa5:
+      case 0xa6:
+      case 0xa7:
+      case 0xa8:
+      case 0xa9:
+      case 0xaa:
+      case 0xab:
+      case 0xac:
+      case 0xad:
+      case 0xae:
+      case 0xaf:
+      case 0xb0:
+      case 0xb1:
+      case 0xb2:
+      case 0xb3:
+      case 0xb4:
+      case 0xb5:
+      case 0xb6:
+      case 0xb7:
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::object;
+        const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(v[current_idx] - 0xa0);
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+          result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    const_reverse_iterator crend() const noexcept
-    {
-        return const_reverse_iterator(cbegin());
-    }
+      case 0xb8: // map (one-byte uint8_t for n follows)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::object;
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx));
+        idx += 1; // skip 1 size byte
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+          result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-  private:
-    // forward declaration
-    template<typename IteratorType> class iteration_proxy;
+      case 0xb9: // map (two-byte uint16_t for n follow)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::object;
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
+        idx += 2; // skip 2 size bytes
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+          result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-  public:
-    /*!
-    @brief wrapper to access iterator member functions in range-based for
+      case 0xba: // map (four-byte uint32_t for n follow)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::object;
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
+        idx += 4; // skip 4 size bytes
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+          result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    This function allows to access @ref iterator::key() and @ref
-    iterator::value() during range-based for loops. In these loops, a
-    reference to the JSON values is returned, so there is no access to the
-    underlying iterator.
+      case 0xbb: // map (eight-byte uint64_t for n follow)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::object;
+        const auto len =
+            static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx));
+        idx += 8; // skip 8 size bytes
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
+        {
+          std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+          result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+        }
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    @note The name of this function is not yet final and may change in the
-    future.
-    */
-    static iteration_proxy<iterator> iterator_wrapper(reference cont)
-    {
-        return iteration_proxy<iterator>(cont);
-    }
+      case 0xbf: // map (indefinite length)
+      {
+        basic_json result = value_t::object;
+        while (v.at(idx) != 0xff)
+        {
+          std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+          result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
+        }
+        // skip break byte (0xFF)
+        idx += 1;
+        return result;
+      }
 
-    /*!
-    @copydoc iterator_wrapper(reference)
-    */
-    static iteration_proxy<const_iterator> iterator_wrapper(const_reference cont)
-    {
-        return iteration_proxy<const_iterator>(cont);
+      case 0xf4: // false
+      {
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      case 0xf5: // true
+      {
+        return true;
+      }
+
+      case 0xf6: // null
+      {
+        return value_t::null;
+      }
+
+      case 0xf9: // Half-Precision Float (two-byte IEEE 754)
+      {
+        idx += 2; // skip two content bytes
+
+        // code from RFC 7049, Appendix D, Figure 3:
+        // As half-precision floating-point numbers were only added to
+        // IEEE 754 in 2008, today's programming platforms often still
+        // only have limited support for them. It is very easy to
+        // include at least decoding support for them even without such
+        // support. An example of a small decoder for half-precision
+        // floating-point numbers in the C language is shown in Fig. 3.
+        const int half = (v.at(current_idx + 1) << 8) + v.at(current_idx + 2);
+        const int exp = (half >> 10) & 0x1f;
+        const int mant = half & 0x3ff;
+        double val;
+        if (exp == 0)
+        {
+          val = std::ldexp(mant, -24);
+        }
+        else if (exp != 31)
+        {
+          val = std::ldexp(mant + 1024, exp - 25);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+          val = mant == 0 ? INFINITY : NAN;
+        }
+        return (half & 0x8000) != 0 ? -val : val;
+      }
+
+      case 0xfa: // Single-Precision Float (four-byte IEEE 754)
+      {
+        // copy bytes in reverse order into the float variable
+        float res;
+        for (size_t byte = 0; byte < sizeof(float); ++byte)
+        {
+          reinterpret_cast<uint8_t *>(&res)[sizeof(float) - byte - 1] =
+              v.at(current_idx + 1 + byte);
+        }
+        idx += sizeof(float); // skip content bytes
+        return res;
+      }
+
+      case 0xfb: // Double-Precision Float (eight-byte IEEE 754)
+      {
+        // copy bytes in reverse order into the double variable
+        double res;
+        for (size_t byte = 0; byte < sizeof(double); ++byte)
+        {
+          reinterpret_cast<uint8_t *>(&res)[sizeof(double) - byte - 1] =
+              v.at(current_idx + 1 + byte);
+        }
+        idx += sizeof(double); // skip content bytes
+        return res;
+      }
+
+      default: // anything else (0xFF is handled inside the other types)
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(
+            "error parsing a CBOR @ " + std::to_string(current_idx) + ": " +
+            std::to_string(static_cast<int>(v[current_idx]))));
+      }
     }
+  }
 
-    /// @}
+public:
+  /*!
+  @brief create a MessagePack serialization of a given JSON value
 
+  Serializes a given JSON value @a j to a byte vector using the MessagePack
+  serialization format. MessagePack is a binary serialization format which
+  aims to be more compact than JSON itself, yet more efficient to parse.
+
+  @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
+  @return MessagePack serialization as byte vector
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value @a j.
+
+  @liveexample{The example shows the serialization of a JSON value to a byte
+  vector in MessagePack format.,to_msgpack}
+
+  @sa http://msgpack.org
+  @sa @ref from_msgpack(const std::vector<uint8_t>&) for the analogous
+      deserialization
+  @sa @ref to_cbor(const basic_json& for the related CBOR format
+  */
+  static std::vector<uint8_t> to_msgpack(const basic_json &j)
+  {
+    std::vector<uint8_t> result;
+    to_msgpack_internal(j, result);
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    //////////////
-    // capacity //
-    //////////////
+  /*!
+  @brief create a JSON value from a byte vector in MessagePack format
 
-    /// @name capacity
-    /// @{
+  Deserializes a given byte vector @a v to a JSON value using the MessagePack
+  serialization format.
 
-    /*!
-    @brief checks whether the container is empty
+  @param[in] v  a byte vector in MessagePack format
+  @return deserialized JSON value
 
-    Checks if a JSON value has no elements.
+  @throw std::invalid_argument if unsupported features from MessagePack were
+  used in the given vector @a v or if the input is not valid MessagePack
+  @throw std::out_of_range if the given vector ends prematurely
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the byte vector @a v.
+
+  @liveexample{The example shows the deserialization of a byte vector in
+  MessagePack format to a JSON value.,from_msgpack}
+
+  @sa http://msgpack.org
+  @sa @ref to_msgpack(const basic_json&) for the analogous serialization
+  @sa @ref from_cbor(const std::vector<uint8_t>&) for the related CBOR format
+  */
+  static basic_json from_msgpack(const std::vector<uint8_t> &v)
+  {
+    size_t i = 0;
+    return from_msgpack_internal(v, i);
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create a MessagePack serialization of a given JSON value
+
+  Serializes a given JSON value @a j to a byte vector using the CBOR (Concise
+  Binary Object Representation) serialization format. CBOR is a binary
+  serialization format which aims to be more compact than JSON itself, yet
+  more efficient to parse.
+
+  @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
+  @return MessagePack serialization as byte vector
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value @a j.
+
+  @liveexample{The example shows the serialization of a JSON value to a byte
+  vector in CBOR format.,to_cbor}
+
+  @sa http://cbor.io
+  @sa @ref from_cbor(const std::vector<uint8_t>&) for the analogous
+      deserialization
+  @sa @ref to_msgpack(const basic_json& for the related MessagePack format
+  */
+  static std::vector<uint8_t> to_cbor(const basic_json &j)
+  {
+    std::vector<uint8_t> result;
+    to_cbor_internal(j, result);
+    return result;
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief create a JSON value from a byte vector in CBOR format
+
+  Deserializes a given byte vector @a v to a JSON value using the CBOR
+  (Concise Binary Object Representation) serialization format.
+
+  @param[in] v  a byte vector in CBOR format
+  @return deserialized JSON value
+
+  @throw std::invalid_argument if unsupported features from CBOR were used in
+  the given vector @a v or if the input is not valid MessagePack
+  @throw std::out_of_range if the given vector ends prematurely
+
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the byte vector @a v.
+
+  @liveexample{The example shows the deserialization of a byte vector in CBOR
+  format to a JSON value.,from_cbor}
+
+  @sa http://cbor.io
+  @sa @ref to_cbor(const basic_json&) for the analogous serialization
+  @sa @ref from_msgpack(const std::vector<uint8_t>&) for the related
+      MessagePack format
+  */
+  static basic_json from_cbor(const std::vector<uint8_t> &v)
+  {
+    size_t i = 0;
+    return from_cbor_internal(v, i);
+  }
+
+  /// @}
+
+private:
+  ///////////////////////////
+  // convenience functions //
+  ///////////////////////////
+
+  /*!
+  @brief return the type as string
+
+  Returns the type name as string to be used in error messages - usually to
+  indicate that a function was called on a wrong JSON type.
+
+  @return basically a string representation of a the @a m_type member
+
+  @complexity Constant.
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  std::string type_name() const
+  {
+    switch (m_type)
+    {
+      case value_t::null:
+        return "null";
+      case value_t::object:
+        return "object";
+      case value_t::array:
+        return "array";
+      case value_t::string:
+        return "string";
+      case value_t::boolean:
+        return "boolean";
+      case value_t::discarded:
+        return "discarded";
+      default:
+        return "number";
+    }
+  }
+
+  /*!
+  @brief calculates the extra space to escape a JSON string
+
+  @param[in] s  the string to escape
+  @return the number of characters required to escape string @a s
+
+  @complexity Linear in the length of string @a s.
+  */
+  static std::size_t extra_space(const string_t &s) noexcept
+  {
+    return std::accumulate(s.begin(), s.end(), size_t{},
+                           [](size_t res, typename string_t::value_type c) {
+                             switch (c)
+                             {
+                               case '"':
+                               case '\\':
+                               case '\b':
+                               case '\f':
+                               case '\n':
+                               case '\r':
+                               case '\t':
+                               {
+                                 // from c (1 byte) to \x (2 bytes)
+                                 return res + 1;
+                               }
 
-    @return The return value depends on the different types and is
-            defined as follows:
-            Value type  | return value
-            ----------- | -------------
-            null        | `true`
-            boolean     | `false`
-            string      | `false`
-            number      | `false`
-            object      | result of function `object_t::empty()`
-            array       | result of function `array_t::empty()`
+                               default:
+                               {
+                                 if (c >= 0x00 and c <= 0x1f)
+                                 {
+                                   // from c (1 byte) to \uxxxx (6 bytes)
+                                   return res + 5;
+                                 }
 
-    @note This function does not return whether a string stored as JSON value
-    is empty - it returns whether the JSON container itself is empty which is
-    false in the case of a string.
+                                 return res;
+                               }
+                             }
+                           });
+  }
 
-    @complexity Constant, as long as @ref array_t and @ref object_t satisfy
-    the Container concept; that is, their `empty()` functions have constant
-    complexity.
+  /*!
+  @brief escape a string
 
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of `begin() == end()`.
+  Escape a string by replacing certain special characters by a sequence of
+  an escape character (backslash) and another character and other control
+  characters by a sequence of "\u" followed by a four-digit hex
+  representation.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code uses `empty()` to check if a JSON
-    object contains any elements.,empty}
+  @param[in] s  the string to escape
+  @return  the escaped string
 
-    @sa @ref size() -- returns the number of elements
+  @complexity Linear in the length of string @a s.
+  */
+  static string_t escape_string(const string_t &s)
+  {
+    const auto space = extra_space(s);
+    if (space == 0)
+    {
+      return s;
+    }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    bool empty() const noexcept
+    // create a result string of necessary size
+    string_t result(s.size() + space, '\\');
+    std::size_t pos = 0;
+
+    for (const auto &c : s)
     {
-        switch (m_type)
+      switch (c)
+      {
+        // quotation mark (0x22)
+        case '"':
         {
-            case value_t::null:
-            {
-                // null values are empty
-                return true;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                // delegate call to array_t::empty()
-                return m_value.array->empty();
-            }
+          result[pos + 1] = '"';
+          pos += 2;
+          break;
+        }
 
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                // delegate call to object_t::empty()
-                return m_value.object->empty();
-            }
+        // reverse solidus (0x5c)
+        case '\\':
+        {
+          // nothing to change
+          pos += 2;
+          break;
+        }
 
-            default:
-            {
-                // all other types are nonempty
-                return false;
-            }
+        // backspace (0x08)
+        case '\b':
+        {
+          result[pos + 1] = 'b';
+          pos += 2;
+          break;
         }
-    }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns the number of elements
-
-    Returns the number of elements in a JSON value.
-
-    @return The return value depends on the different types and is
-            defined as follows:
-            Value type  | return value
-            ----------- | -------------
-            null        | `0`
-            boolean     | `1`
-            string      | `1`
-            number      | `1`
-            object      | result of function object_t::size()
-            array       | result of function array_t::size()
-
-    @note This function does not return the length of a string stored as JSON
-    value - it returns the number of elements in the JSON value which is 1 in
-    the case of a string.
-
-    @complexity Constant, as long as @ref array_t and @ref object_t satisfy
-    the Container concept; that is, their size() functions have constant
-    complexity.
-
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of `std::distance(begin(), end())`.
-
-    @liveexample{The following code calls `size()` on the different value
-    types.,size}
-
-    @sa @ref empty() -- checks whether the container is empty
-    @sa @ref max_size() -- returns the maximal number of elements
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    size_type size() const noexcept
-    {
-        switch (m_type)
+        // formfeed (0x0c)
+        case '\f':
         {
-            case value_t::null:
-            {
-                // null values are empty
-                return 0;
-            }
+          result[pos + 1] = 'f';
+          pos += 2;
+          break;
+        }
 
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                // delegate call to array_t::size()
-                return m_value.array->size();
-            }
+        // newline (0x0a)
+        case '\n':
+        {
+          result[pos + 1] = 'n';
+          pos += 2;
+          break;
+        }
 
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                // delegate call to object_t::size()
-                return m_value.object->size();
-            }
+        // carriage return (0x0d)
+        case '\r':
+        {
+          result[pos + 1] = 'r';
+          pos += 2;
+          break;
+        }
 
-            default:
-            {
-                // all other types have size 1
-                return 1;
-            }
+        // horizontal tab (0x09)
+        case '\t':
+        {
+          result[pos + 1] = 't';
+          pos += 2;
+          break;
         }
-    }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief returns the maximum possible number of elements
-
-    Returns the maximum number of elements a JSON value is able to hold due to
-    system or library implementation limitations, i.e. `std::distance(begin(),
-    end())` for the JSON value.
-
-    @return The return value depends on the different types and is
-            defined as follows:
-            Value type  | return value
-            ----------- | -------------
-            null        | `0` (same as `size()`)
-            boolean     | `1` (same as `size()`)
-            string      | `1` (same as `size()`)
-            number      | `1` (same as `size()`)
-            object      | result of function `object_t::max_size()`
-            array       | result of function `array_t::max_size()`
-
-    @complexity Constant, as long as @ref array_t and @ref object_t satisfy
-    the Container concept; that is, their `max_size()` functions have constant
-    complexity.
-
-    @requirement This function helps `basic_json` satisfying the
-    [Container](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/Container)
-    requirements:
-    - The complexity is constant.
-    - Has the semantics of returning `b.size()` where `b` is the largest
-      possible JSON value.
-
-    @liveexample{The following code calls `max_size()` on the different value
-    types. Note the output is implementation specific.,max_size}
-
-    @sa @ref size() -- returns the number of elements
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    size_type max_size() const noexcept
-    {
-        switch (m_type)
+        default:
         {
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                // delegate call to array_t::max_size()
-                return m_value.array->max_size();
-            }
+          if (c >= 0x00 and c <= 0x1f)
+          {
+            // convert a number 0..15 to its hex representation
+            // (0..f)
+            static const char hexify[16] = {'0', '1', '2', '3', '4', '5',
+                                            '6', '7', '8', '9', 'a', 'b',
+                                            'c', 'd', 'e', 'f'};
 
-            case value_t::object:
+            // print character c as \uxxxx
+            for (const char m :
+                 {'u', '0', '0', hexify[c >> 4], hexify[c & 0x0f]})
             {
-                // delegate call to object_t::max_size()
-                return m_value.object->max_size();
+              result[++pos] = m;
             }
 
-            default:
-            {
-                // all other types have max_size() == size()
-                return size();
-            }
+            ++pos;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            // all other characters are added as-is
+            result[pos++] = c;
+          }
+          break;
         }
+      }
     }
 
-    /// @}
-
-
-    ///////////////
-    // modifiers //
-    ///////////////
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    /// @name modifiers
-    /// @{
+  /*!
+  @brief internal implementation of the serialization function
 
-    /*!
-    @brief clears the contents
-
-    Clears the content of a JSON value and resets it to the default value as
-    if @ref basic_json(value_t) would have been called:
+  This function is called by the public member function dump and organizes
+  the serialization internally. The indentation level is propagated as
+  additional parameter. In case of arrays and objects, the function is
+  called recursively. Note that
 
-    Value type  | initial value
-    ----------- | -------------
-    null        | `null`
-    boolean     | `false`
-    string      | `""`
-    number      | `0`
-    object      | `{}`
-    array       | `[]`
+  - strings and object keys are escaped using `escape_string()`
+  - integer numbers are converted implicitly via `operator<<`
+  - floating-point numbers are converted to a string using `"%g"` format
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value.
+  @param[out] o              stream to write to
+  @param[in] pretty_print    whether the output shall be pretty-printed
+  @param[in] indent_step     the indent level
+  @param[in] current_indent  the current indent level (only used internally)
+  */
+  void dump(std::ostream &o, const bool pretty_print,
+            const unsigned int indent_step,
+            const unsigned int current_indent = 0) const
+  {
+    // variable to hold indentation for recursive calls
+    unsigned int new_indent = current_indent;
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows the effect of `clear()` to different
-    JSON types.,clear}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    void clear() noexcept
+    switch (m_type)
     {
-        switch (m_type)
+      case value_t::object:
+      {
+        if (m_value.object->empty())
         {
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            {
-                m_value.number_integer = 0;
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            {
-                m_value.number_unsigned = 0;
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            {
-                m_value.number_float = 0.0;
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            {
-                m_value.boolean = false;
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                m_value.string->clear();
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                m_value.array->clear();
-                break;
-            }
+          o << "{}";
+          return;
+        }
 
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                m_value.object->clear();
-                break;
-            }
+        o << "{";
 
-            default:
-            {
-                break;
-            }
+        // increase indentation
+        if (pretty_print)
+        {
+          new_indent += indent_step;
+          o << "\n";
         }
-    }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an array
+        for (auto i = m_value.object->cbegin(); i != m_value.object->cend();
+             ++i)
+        {
+          if (i != m_value.object->cbegin())
+          {
+            o << (pretty_print ? ",\n" : ",");
+          }
+          o << string_t(new_indent, ' ') << "\"" << escape_string(i->first)
+            << "\":" << (pretty_print ? " " : "");
+          i->second.dump(o, pretty_print, indent_step, new_indent);
+        }
 
-    Appends the given element @a val to the end of the JSON value. If the
-    function is called on a JSON null value, an empty array is created before
-    appending @a val.
+        // decrease indentation
+        if (pretty_print)
+        {
+          new_indent -= indent_step;
+          o << "\n";
+        }
 
-    @param[in] val the value to add to the JSON array
+        o << string_t(new_indent, ' ') + "}";
+        return;
+      }
 
-    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON array or
-    null; example: `"cannot use push_back() with number"`
+      case value_t::array:
+      {
+        if (m_value.array->empty())
+        {
+          o << "[]";
+          return;
+        }
 
-    @complexity Amortized constant.
+        o << "[";
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `push_back()` and `+=` can be used to
-    add elements to a JSON array. Note how the `null` value was silently
-    converted to a JSON array.,push_back}
+        // increase indentation
+        if (pretty_print)
+        {
+          new_indent += indent_step;
+          o << "\n";
+        }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    void push_back(basic_json&& val)
-    {
-        // push_back only works for null objects or arrays
-        if (not(is_null() or is_array()))
+        for (auto i = m_value.array->cbegin(); i != m_value.array->cend(); ++i)
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use push_back() with " + type_name()));
+          if (i != m_value.array->cbegin())
+          {
+            o << (pretty_print ? ",\n" : ",");
+          }
+          o << string_t(new_indent, ' ');
+          i->dump(o, pretty_print, indent_step, new_indent);
         }
 
-        // transform null object into an array
-        if (is_null())
+        // decrease indentation
+        if (pretty_print)
         {
-            m_type = value_t::array;
-            m_value = value_t::array;
-            assert_invariant();
+          new_indent -= indent_step;
+          o << "\n";
         }
 
-        // add element to array (move semantics)
-        m_value.array->push_back(std::move(val));
-        // invalidate object
-        val.m_type = value_t::null;
-    }
+        o << string_t(new_indent, ' ') << "]";
+        return;
+      }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an array
-    @copydoc push_back(basic_json&&)
-    */
-    reference operator+=(basic_json&& val)
-    {
-        push_back(std::move(val));
-        return *this;
-    }
+      case value_t::string:
+      {
+        o << string_t("\"") << escape_string(*m_value.string) << "\"";
+        return;
+      }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an array
-    @copydoc push_back(basic_json&&)
-    */
-    void push_back(const basic_json& val)
-    {
-        // push_back only works for null objects or arrays
-        if (not(is_null() or is_array()))
+      case value_t::boolean:
+      {
+        o << (m_value.boolean ? "true" : "false");
+        return;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_integer:
+      {
+        o << m_value.number_integer;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_unsigned:
+      {
+        o << m_value.number_unsigned;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      case value_t::number_float:
+      {
+        if (m_value.number_float == 0)
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use push_back() with " + type_name()));
+          // special case for zero to get "0.0"/"-0.0"
+          o << (std::signbit(m_value.number_float) ? "-0.0" : "0.0");
         }
-
-        // transform null object into an array
-        if (is_null())
+        else
         {
-            m_type = value_t::array;
-            m_value = value_t::array;
-            assert_invariant();
+          o << m_value.number_float;
         }
+        return;
+      }
 
-        // add element to array
-        m_value.array->push_back(val);
-    }
+      case value_t::discarded:
+      {
+        o << "<discarded>";
+        return;
+      }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an array
-    @copydoc push_back(basic_json&&)
-    */
-    reference operator+=(const basic_json& val)
-    {
-        push_back(val);
-        return *this;
+      case value_t::null:
+      {
+        o << "null";
+        return;
+      }
     }
+  }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an object
+private:
+  //////////////////////
+  // member variables //
+  //////////////////////
 
-    Inserts the given element @a val to the JSON object. If the function is
-    called on a JSON null value, an empty object is created before inserting
-    @a val.
+  /// the type of the current element
+  value_t m_type = value_t::null;
 
-    @param[in] val the value to add to the JSON object
+  /// the value of the current element
+  json_value m_value = {};
 
-    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON object or
-    null; example: `"cannot use push_back() with number"`
+private:
+  ///////////////
+  // iterators //
+  ///////////////
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container, O(log(`size()`)).
+  /*!
+  @brief an iterator for primitive JSON types
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `push_back()` and `+=` can be used to
-    add elements to a JSON object. Note how the `null` value was silently
-    converted to a JSON object.,push_back__object_t__value}
+  This class models an iterator for primitive JSON types (boolean, number,
+  string). It's only purpose is to allow the iterator/const_iterator classes
+  to "iterate" over primitive values. Internally, the iterator is modeled by
+  a `difference_type` variable. Value begin_value (`0`) models the begin,
+  end_value (`1`) models past the end.
+  */
+  class primitive_iterator_t
+  {
+  public:
+    /// set iterator to a defined beginning
+    void set_begin() noexcept { m_it = begin_value; }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    void push_back(const typename object_t::value_type& val)
-    {
-        // push_back only works for null objects or objects
-        if (not(is_null() or is_object()))
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use push_back() with " + type_name()));
-        }
+    /// set iterator to a defined past the end
+    void set_end() noexcept { m_it = end_value; }
 
-        // transform null object into an object
-        if (is_null())
-        {
-            m_type = value_t::object;
-            m_value = value_t::object;
-            assert_invariant();
-        }
+    /// return whether the iterator can be dereferenced
+    constexpr bool is_begin() const noexcept { return (m_it == begin_value); }
 
-        // add element to array
-        m_value.object->insert(val);
-    }
+    /// return whether the iterator is at end
+    constexpr bool is_end() const noexcept { return (m_it == end_value); }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an object
-    @copydoc push_back(const typename object_t::value_type&)
-    */
-    reference operator+=(const typename object_t::value_type& val)
-    {
-        push_back(val);
-        return *this;
-    }
+    /// return reference to the value to change and compare
+    operator difference_type &() noexcept { return m_it; }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an object
+    /// return value to compare
+    constexpr operator difference_type() const noexcept { return m_it; }
 
-    This function allows to use `push_back` with an initializer list. In case
+  private:
+    static constexpr difference_type begin_value = 0;
+    static constexpr difference_type end_value = begin_value + 1;
+
+    /// iterator as signed integer type
+    difference_type m_it = std::numeric_limits<std::ptrdiff_t>::denorm_min();
+  };
+
+  /*!
+  @brief an iterator value
+
+  @note This structure could easily be a union, but MSVC currently does not
+  allow unions members with complex constructors, see
+  https://github.com/nlohmann/json/pull/105.
+  */
+  struct internal_iterator
+  {
+    /// iterator for JSON objects
+    typename object_t::iterator object_iterator;
+    /// iterator for JSON arrays
+    typename array_t::iterator array_iterator;
+    /// generic iterator for all other types
+    primitive_iterator_t primitive_iterator;
+
+    /// create an uninitialized internal_iterator
+    internal_iterator() noexcept : object_iterator(),
+                                   array_iterator(),
+                                   primitive_iterator()
+    {
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// proxy class for the iterator_wrapper functions
+  template <typename IteratorType> class iteration_proxy
+  {
+  private:
+    /// helper class for iteration
+    class iteration_proxy_internal
+    {
+    private:
+      /// the iterator
+      IteratorType anchor;
+      /// an index for arrays (used to create key names)
+      size_t array_index = 0;
 
-    1. the current value is an object,
-    2. the initializer list @a init contains only two elements, and
-    3. the first element of @a init is a string,
+    public:
+      explicit iteration_proxy_internal(IteratorType it) noexcept : anchor(it)
+      {
+      }
 
-    @a init is converted into an object element and added using
-    @ref push_back(const typename object_t::value_type&). Otherwise, @a init
-    is converted to a JSON value and added using @ref push_back(basic_json&&).
+      /// dereference operator (needed for range-based for)
+      iteration_proxy_internal &operator*() { return *this; }
 
-    @param init  an initializer list
+      /// increment operator (needed for range-based for)
+      iteration_proxy_internal &operator++()
+      {
+        ++anchor;
+        ++array_index;
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the initializer list @a init.
+        return *this;
+      }
+
+      /// inequality operator (needed for range-based for)
+      bool operator!=(const iteration_proxy_internal &o) const
+      {
+        return anchor != o.anchor;
+      }
+
+      /// return key of the iterator
+      typename basic_json::string_t key() const
+      {
+        assert(anchor.m_object != nullptr);
+
+        switch (anchor.m_object->type())
+        {
+          // use integer array index as key
+          case value_t::array:
+          {
+            return std::to_string(array_index);
+          }
+
+          // use key from the object
+          case value_t::object:
+          {
+            return anchor.key();
+          }
+
+          // use an empty key for all primitive types
+          default:
+          {
+            return "";
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      /// return value of the iterator
+      typename IteratorType::reference value() const { return anchor.value(); }
+    };
 
-    @note This function is required to resolve an ambiguous overload error,
-          because pairs like `{"key", "value"}` can be both interpreted as
-          `object_t::value_type` or `std::initializer_list<basic_json>`, see
-          https://github.com/nlohmann/json/issues/235 for more information.
+    /// the container to iterate
+    typename IteratorType::reference container;
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows how initializer lists are treated as
-    objects when possible.,push_back__initializer_list}
-    */
-    void push_back(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init)
+  public:
+    /// construct iteration proxy from a container
+    explicit iteration_proxy(typename IteratorType::reference cont)
+        : container(cont)
     {
-        if (is_object() and init.size() == 2 and init.begin()->is_string())
-        {
-            const string_t key = *init.begin();
-            push_back(typename object_t::value_type(key, *(init.begin() + 1)));
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            push_back(basic_json(init));
-        }
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an object
-    @copydoc push_back(std::initializer_list<basic_json>)
-    */
-    reference operator+=(std::initializer_list<basic_json> init)
+    /// return iterator begin (needed for range-based for)
+    iteration_proxy_internal begin() noexcept
     {
-        push_back(init);
-        return *this;
+      return iteration_proxy_internal(container.begin());
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an array
-
-    Creates a JSON value from the passed parameters @a args to the end of the
-    JSON value. If the function is called on a JSON null value, an empty array
-    is created before appending the value created from @a args.
-
-    @param[in] args arguments to forward to a constructor of @ref basic_json
-    @tparam Args compatible types to create a @ref basic_json object
-
-    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON array or
-    null; example: `"cannot use emplace_back() with number"`
-
-    @complexity Amortized constant.
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `push_back()` can be used to add
-    elements to a JSON array. Note how the `null` value was silently converted
-    to a JSON array.,emplace_back}
-
-    @since version 2.0.8
-    */
-    template<class... Args>
-    void emplace_back(Args&& ... args)
+    /// return iterator end (needed for range-based for)
+    iteration_proxy_internal end() noexcept
     {
-        // emplace_back only works for null objects or arrays
-        if (not(is_null() or is_array()))
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use emplace_back() with " + type_name()));
-        }
-
-        // transform null object into an array
-        if (is_null())
-        {
-            m_type = value_t::array;
-            m_value = value_t::array;
-            assert_invariant();
-        }
-
-        // add element to array (perfect forwarding)
-        m_value.array->emplace_back(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
+      return iteration_proxy_internal(container.end());
     }
+  };
 
-    /*!
-    @brief add an object to an object if key does not exist
+public:
+  /*!
+  @brief a template for a random access iterator for the @ref basic_json class
+
+  This class implements a both iterators (iterator and const_iterator) for the
+  @ref basic_json class.
 
-    Inserts a new element into a JSON object constructed in-place with the
-    given @a args if there is no element with the key in the container. If the
-    function is called on a JSON null value, an empty object is created before
-    appending the value created from @a args.
+  @note An iterator is called *initialized* when a pointer to a JSON value
+        has been set (e.g., by a constructor or a copy assignment). If the
+        iterator is default-constructed, it is *uninitialized* and most
+        methods are undefined. **The library uses assertions to detect calls
+        on uninitialized iterators.**
 
-    @param[in] args arguments to forward to a constructor of @ref basic_json
-    @tparam Args compatible types to create a @ref basic_json object
+  @requirement The class satisfies the following concept requirements:
+  -
+  [RandomAccessIterator](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/RandomAccessIterator):
+    The iterator that can be moved to point (forward and backward) to any
+    element in constant time.
 
-    @return a pair consisting of an iterator to the inserted element, or the
-            already-existing element if no insertion happened, and a bool
-            denoting whether the insertion took place.
+  @since version 1.0.0, simplified in version 2.0.9
+  */
+  template <typename U>
+  class iter_impl : public std::iterator<std::random_access_iterator_tag, U>
+  {
+    /// allow basic_json to access private members
+    friend class basic_json;
 
-    @throw std::domain_error when called on a type other than JSON object or
-    null; example: `"cannot use emplace() with number"`
+    // make sure U is basic_json or const basic_json
+    static_assert(std::is_same<U, basic_json>::value or
+                      std::is_same<U, const basic_json>::value,
+                  "iter_impl only accepts (const) basic_json");
 
-    @complexity Logarithmic in the size of the container, O(log(`size()`)).
+  public:
+    /// the type of the values when the iterator is dereferenced
+    using value_type = typename basic_json::value_type;
+    /// a type to represent differences between iterators
+    using difference_type = typename basic_json::difference_type;
+    /// defines a pointer to the type iterated over (value_type)
+    using pointer =
+        typename std::conditional<std::is_const<U>::value,
+                                  typename basic_json::const_pointer,
+                                  typename basic_json::pointer>::type;
+    /// defines a reference to the type iterated over (value_type)
+    using reference =
+        typename std::conditional<std::is_const<U>::value,
+                                  typename basic_json::const_reference,
+                                  typename basic_json::reference>::type;
+    /// the category of the iterator
+    using iterator_category = std::bidirectional_iterator_tag;
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `emplace()` can be used to add elements
-    to a JSON object. Note how the `null` value was silently converted to a
-    JSON object. Further note how no value is added if there was already one
-    value stored with the same key.,emplace}
+    /// default constructor
+    iter_impl() = default;
 
-    @since version 2.0.8
+    /*!
+    @brief constructor for a given JSON instance
+    @param[in] object  pointer to a JSON object for this iterator
+    @pre object != nullptr
+    @post The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
     */
-    template<class... Args>
-    std::pair<iterator, bool> emplace(Args&& ... args)
+    explicit iter_impl(pointer object) noexcept : m_object(object)
     {
-        // emplace only works for null objects or arrays
-        if (not(is_null() or is_object()))
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
+
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use emplace() with " + type_name()));
+          m_it.object_iterator = typename object_t::iterator();
+          break;
         }
 
-        // transform null object into an object
-        if (is_null())
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
         {
-            m_type = value_t::object;
-            m_value = value_t::object;
-            assert_invariant();
+          m_it.array_iterator = typename array_t::iterator();
+          break;
         }
 
-        // add element to array (perfect forwarding)
-        auto res = m_value.object->emplace(std::forward<Args>(args)...);
-        // create result iterator and set iterator to the result of emplace
-        auto it = begin();
-        it.m_it.object_iterator = res.first;
-
-        // return pair of iterator and boolean
-        return {it, res.second};
+        default:
+        {
+          m_it.primitive_iterator = primitive_iterator_t();
+          break;
+        }
+      }
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief inserts element
-
-    Inserts element @a val before iterator @a pos.
-
-    @param[in] pos iterator before which the content will be inserted; may be
-    the end() iterator
-    @param[in] val element to insert
-    @return iterator pointing to the inserted @a val.
-
-    @throw std::domain_error if called on JSON values other than arrays;
-    example: `"cannot use insert() with string"`
-    @throw std::domain_error if @a pos is not an iterator of *this; example:
-    `"iterator does not fit current value"`
-
-    @complexity Constant plus linear in the distance between pos and end of
-    the container.
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `insert()` is used.,insert}
+    /*
+    Use operator `const_iterator` instead of `const_iterator(const iterator&
+    other) noexcept` to avoid two class definitions for @ref iterator and
+    @ref const_iterator.
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
+    This function is only called if this class is an @ref iterator. If this
+    class is a @ref const_iterator this function is not called.
     */
-    iterator insert(const_iterator pos, const basic_json& val)
+    operator const_iterator() const
     {
-        // insert only works for arrays
-        if (is_array())
-        {
-            // check if iterator pos fits to this JSON value
-            if (pos.m_object != this)
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
-            }
+      const_iterator ret;
 
-            // insert to array and return iterator
-            iterator result(this);
-            result.m_it.array_iterator = m_value.array->insert(pos.m_it.array_iterator, val);
-            return result;
-        }
+      if (m_object)
+      {
+        ret.m_object = m_object;
+        ret.m_it = m_it;
+      }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use insert() with " + type_name()));
+      return ret;
     }
 
     /*!
-    @brief inserts element
-    @copydoc insert(const_iterator, const basic_json&)
+    @brief copy constructor
+    @param[in] other  iterator to copy from
+    @note It is not checked whether @a other is initialized.
     */
-    iterator insert(const_iterator pos, basic_json&& val)
+    iter_impl(const iter_impl &other) noexcept : m_object(other.m_object),
+                                                 m_it(other.m_it)
     {
-        return insert(pos, val);
     }
 
     /*!
-    @brief inserts elements
+    @brief copy assignment
+    @param[in,out] other  iterator to copy from
+    @note It is not checked whether @a other is initialized.
+    */
+    iter_impl &operator=(iter_impl other) noexcept(
+        std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<pointer>::value
+            and std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<pointer>::value and
+                std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<internal_iterator>::value and
+                    std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<internal_iterator>::value)
+    {
+      std::swap(m_object, other.m_object);
+      std::swap(m_it, other.m_it);
+      return *this;
+    }
 
-    Inserts @a cnt copies of @a val before iterator @a pos.
+  private:
+    /*!
+    @brief set the iterator to the first value
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    void set_begin() noexcept
+    {
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
 
-    @param[in] pos iterator before which the content will be inserted; may be
-    the end() iterator
-    @param[in] cnt number of copies of @a val to insert
-    @param[in] val element to insert
-    @return iterator pointing to the first element inserted, or @a pos if
-    `cnt==0`
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
+        {
+          m_it.object_iterator = m_object->m_value.object->begin();
+          break;
+        }
 
-    @throw std::domain_error if called on JSON values other than arrays;
-    example: `"cannot use insert() with string"`
-    @throw std::domain_error if @a pos is not an iterator of *this; example:
-    `"iterator does not fit current value"`
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
+        {
+          m_it.array_iterator = m_object->m_value.array->begin();
+          break;
+        }
 
-    @complexity Linear in @a cnt plus linear in the distance between @a pos
-    and end of the container.
+        case basic_json::value_t::null:
+        {
+          // set to end so begin()==end() is true: null is empty
+          m_it.primitive_iterator.set_end();
+          break;
+        }
 
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `insert()` is used.,insert__count}
+        default:
+        {
+          m_it.primitive_iterator.set_begin();
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
+    /*!
+    @brief set the iterator past the last value
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
     */
-    iterator insert(const_iterator pos, size_type cnt, const basic_json& val)
+    void set_end() noexcept
     {
-        // insert only works for arrays
-        if (is_array())
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
+
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
         {
-            // check if iterator pos fits to this JSON value
-            if (pos.m_object != this)
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
-            }
+          m_it.object_iterator = m_object->m_value.object->end();
+          break;
+        }
 
-            // insert to array and return iterator
-            iterator result(this);
-            result.m_it.array_iterator = m_value.array->insert(pos.m_it.array_iterator, cnt, val);
-            return result;
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
+        {
+          m_it.array_iterator = m_object->m_value.array->end();
+          break;
         }
 
-        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use insert() with " + type_name()));
+        default:
+        {
+          m_it.primitive_iterator.set_end();
+          break;
+        }
+      }
     }
 
+  public:
     /*!
-    @brief inserts elements
-
-    Inserts elements from range `[first, last)` before iterator @a pos.
-
-    @param[in] pos iterator before which the content will be inserted; may be
-    the end() iterator
-    @param[in] first begin of the range of elements to insert
-    @param[in] last end of the range of elements to insert
-
-    @throw std::domain_error if called on JSON values other than arrays;
-    example: `"cannot use insert() with string"`
-    @throw std::domain_error if @a pos is not an iterator of *this; example:
-    `"iterator does not fit current value"`
-    @throw std::domain_error if @a first and @a last do not belong to the same
-    JSON value; example: `"iterators do not fit"`
-    @throw std::domain_error if @a first or @a last are iterators into
-    container for which insert is called; example: `"passed iterators may not
-    belong to container"`
-
-    @return iterator pointing to the first element inserted, or @a pos if
-    `first==last`
-
-    @complexity Linear in `std::distance(first, last)` plus linear in the
-    distance between @a pos and end of the container.
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `insert()` is used.,insert__range}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
+    @brief return a reference to the value pointed to by the iterator
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
     */
-    iterator insert(const_iterator pos, const_iterator first, const_iterator last)
+    reference operator*() const
     {
-        // insert only works for arrays
-        if (not is_array())
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
+
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use insert() with " + type_name()));
+          assert(m_it.object_iterator != m_object->m_value.object->end());
+          return m_it.object_iterator->second;
         }
 
-        // check if iterator pos fits to this JSON value
-        if (pos.m_object != this)
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
+          assert(m_it.array_iterator != m_object->m_value.array->end());
+          return *m_it.array_iterator;
         }
 
-        // check if range iterators belong to the same JSON object
-        if (first.m_object != last.m_object)
+        case basic_json::value_t::null:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterators do not fit"));
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
         }
 
-        if (first.m_object == this or last.m_object == this)
+        default:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("passed iterators may not belong to container"));
-        }
+          if (m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin())
+          {
+            return *m_object;
+          }
 
-        // insert to array and return iterator
-        iterator result(this);
-        result.m_it.array_iterator = m_value.array->insert(
-                                         pos.m_it.array_iterator,
-                                         first.m_it.array_iterator,
-                                         last.m_it.array_iterator);
-        return result;
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
+        }
+      }
     }
 
     /*!
-    @brief inserts elements
-
-    Inserts elements from initializer list @a ilist before iterator @a pos.
-
-    @param[in] pos iterator before which the content will be inserted; may be
-    the end() iterator
-    @param[in] ilist initializer list to insert the values from
-
-    @throw std::domain_error if called on JSON values other than arrays;
-    example: `"cannot use insert() with string"`
-    @throw std::domain_error if @a pos is not an iterator of *this; example:
-    `"iterator does not fit current value"`
-
-    @return iterator pointing to the first element inserted, or @a pos if
-    `ilist` is empty
-
-    @complexity Linear in `ilist.size()` plus linear in the distance between
-    @a pos and end of the container.
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows how `insert()` is used.,insert__ilist}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
+    @brief dereference the iterator
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
     */
-    iterator insert(const_iterator pos, std::initializer_list<basic_json> ilist)
+    pointer operator->() const
     {
-        // insert only works for arrays
-        if (not is_array())
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
+
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use insert() with " + type_name()));
+          assert(m_it.object_iterator != m_object->m_value.object->end());
+          return &(m_it.object_iterator->second);
         }
 
-        // check if iterator pos fits to this JSON value
-        if (pos.m_object != this)
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("iterator does not fit current value"));
+          assert(m_it.array_iterator != m_object->m_value.array->end());
+          return &*m_it.array_iterator;
         }
 
-        // insert to array and return iterator
-        iterator result(this);
-        result.m_it.array_iterator = m_value.array->insert(pos.m_it.array_iterator, ilist);
-        return result;
+        default:
+        {
+          if (m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin())
+          {
+            return m_object;
+          }
+
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
+        }
+      }
     }
 
     /*!
-    @brief exchanges the values
-
-    Exchanges the contents of the JSON value with those of @a other. Does not
-    invoke any move, copy, or swap operations on individual elements. All
-    iterators and references remain valid. The past-the-end iterator is
-    invalidated.
-
-    @param[in,out] other JSON value to exchange the contents with
-
-    @complexity Constant.
-
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how JSON values can be swapped with
-    `swap()`.,swap__reference}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
+    @brief post-increment (it++)
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
     */
-    void swap(reference other) noexcept (
-        std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<value_t>::value and
-        std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<value_t>::value and
-        std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<json_value>::value and
-        std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<json_value>::value
-    )
-    {
-        std::swap(m_type, other.m_type);
-        std::swap(m_value, other.m_value);
-        assert_invariant();
+    iter_impl operator++(int)
+    {
+      auto result = *this;
+      ++(*this);
+      return result;
     }
 
     /*!
-    @brief exchanges the values
+    @brief pre-increment (++it)
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    iter_impl &operator++()
+    {
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
 
-    Exchanges the contents of a JSON array with those of @a other. Does not
-    invoke any move, copy, or swap operations on individual elements. All
-    iterators and references remain valid. The past-the-end iterator is
-    invalidated.
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
+        {
+          std::advance(m_it.object_iterator, 1);
+          break;
+        }
 
-    @param[in,out] other array to exchange the contents with
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
+        {
+          std::advance(m_it.array_iterator, 1);
+          break;
+        }
 
-    @throw std::domain_error when JSON value is not an array; example:
-    `"cannot use swap() with string"`
+        default:
+        {
+          ++m_it.primitive_iterator;
+          break;
+        }
+      }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+      return *this;
+    }
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how arrays can be swapped with
-    `swap()`.,swap__array_t}
+    /*!
+    @brief post-decrement (it--)
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    iter_impl operator--(int)
+    {
+      auto result = *this;
+      --(*this);
+      return result;
+    }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
+    /*!
+    @brief pre-decrement (--it)
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
     */
-    void swap(array_t& other)
+    iter_impl &operator--()
     {
-        // swap only works for arrays
-        if (is_array())
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
+
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
         {
-            std::swap(*(m_value.array), other);
+          std::advance(m_it.object_iterator, -1);
+          break;
         }
-        else
+
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use swap() with " + type_name()));
+          std::advance(m_it.array_iterator, -1);
+          break;
         }
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief exchanges the values
 
-    Exchanges the contents of a JSON object with those of @a other. Does not
-    invoke any move, copy, or swap operations on individual elements. All
-    iterators and references remain valid. The past-the-end iterator is
-    invalidated.
+        default:
+        {
+          --m_it.primitive_iterator;
+          break;
+        }
+      }
 
-    @param[in,out] other object to exchange the contents with
+      return *this;
+    }
 
-    @throw std::domain_error when JSON value is not an object; example:
-    `"cannot use swap() with string"`
+    /*!
+    @brief  comparison: equal
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    bool operator==(const iter_impl &other) const
+    {
+      // if objects are not the same, the comparison is undefined
+      if (m_object != other.m_object)
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error(
+            "cannot compare iterators of different containers"));
+      }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how objects can be swapped with
-    `swap()`.,swap__object_t}
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
+        {
+          return (m_it.object_iterator == other.m_it.object_iterator);
+        }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    void swap(object_t& other)
-    {
-        // swap only works for objects
-        if (is_object())
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
         {
-            std::swap(*(m_value.object), other);
+          return (m_it.array_iterator == other.m_it.array_iterator);
         }
-        else
+
+        default:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use swap() with " + type_name()));
+          return (m_it.primitive_iterator == other.m_it.primitive_iterator);
         }
+      }
     }
 
     /*!
-    @brief exchanges the values
-
-    Exchanges the contents of a JSON string with those of @a other. Does not
-    invoke any move, copy, or swap operations on individual elements. All
-    iterators and references remain valid. The past-the-end iterator is
-    invalidated.
-
-    @param[in,out] other string to exchange the contents with
+    @brief  comparison: not equal
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    bool operator!=(const iter_impl &other) const
+    {
+      return not operator==(other);
+    }
 
-    @throw std::domain_error when JSON value is not a string; example: `"cannot
-    use swap() with boolean"`
+    /*!
+    @brief  comparison: smaller
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    bool operator<(const iter_impl &other) const
+    {
+      // if objects are not the same, the comparison is undefined
+      if (m_object != other.m_object)
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error(
+            "cannot compare iterators of different containers"));
+      }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
 
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how strings can be swapped with
-    `swap()`.,swap__string_t}
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
+        {
+          JSON_THROW(
+              std::domain_error("cannot compare order of object iterators"));
+        }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    void swap(string_t& other)
-    {
-        // swap only works for strings
-        if (is_string())
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
         {
-            std::swap(*(m_value.string), other);
+          return (m_it.array_iterator < other.m_it.array_iterator);
         }
-        else
+
+        default:
         {
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use swap() with " + type_name()));
+          return (m_it.primitive_iterator < other.m_it.primitive_iterator);
         }
+      }
     }
 
-    /// @}
-
+    /*!
+    @brief  comparison: less than or equal
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    bool operator<=(const iter_impl &other) const
+    {
+      return not other.operator<(*this);
+    }
 
-    //////////////////////////////////////////
-    // lexicographical comparison operators //
-    //////////////////////////////////////////
+    /*!
+    @brief  comparison: greater than
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    bool operator>(const iter_impl &other) const
+    {
+      return not operator<=(other);
+    }
 
-    /// @name lexicographical comparison operators
-    /// @{
+    /*!
+    @brief  comparison: greater than or equal
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    bool operator>=(const iter_impl &other) const
+    {
+      return not operator<(other);
+    }
 
-  private:
     /*!
-    @brief comparison operator for JSON types
+    @brief  add to iterator
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    iter_impl &operator+=(difference_type i)
+    {
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
 
-    Returns an ordering that is similar to Python:
-    - order: null < boolean < number < object < array < string
-    - furthermore, each type is not smaller than itself
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
+        {
+          JSON_THROW(
+              std::domain_error("cannot use offsets with object iterators"));
+        }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend bool operator<(const value_t lhs, const value_t rhs) noexcept
-    {
-        static constexpr std::array<uint8_t, 8> order = {{
-                0, // null
-                3, // object
-                4, // array
-                5, // string
-                1, // boolean
-                2, // integer
-                2, // unsigned
-                2, // float
-            }
-        };
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
+        {
+          std::advance(m_it.array_iterator, i);
+          break;
+        }
 
-        // discarded values are not comparable
-        if (lhs == value_t::discarded or rhs == value_t::discarded)
+        default:
         {
-            return false;
+          m_it.primitive_iterator += i;
+          break;
         }
+      }
 
-        return order[static_cast<std::size_t>(lhs)] < order[static_cast<std::size_t>(rhs)];
+      return *this;
     }
 
-  public:
     /*!
-    @brief comparison: equal
-
-    Compares two JSON values for equality according to the following rules:
-    - Two JSON values are equal if (1) they are from the same type and (2)
-      their stored values are the same.
-    - Integer and floating-point numbers are automatically converted before
-      comparison. Floating-point numbers are compared indirectly: two
-      floating-point numbers `f1` and `f2` are considered equal if neither
-      `f1 > f2` nor `f2 > f1` holds.
-    - Two JSON null values are equal.
-
-    @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
-    @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
-    @return whether the values @a lhs and @a rhs are equal
+    @brief  subtract from iterator
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    iter_impl &operator-=(difference_type i) { return operator+=(-i); }
 
-    @complexity Linear.
+    /*!
+    @brief  add to iterator
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    iter_impl operator+(difference_type i)
+    {
+      auto result = *this;
+      result += i;
+      return result;
+    }
 
-    @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
-    types.,operator__equal}
+    /*!
+    @brief  subtract from iterator
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    iter_impl operator-(difference_type i)
+    {
+      auto result = *this;
+      result -= i;
+      return result;
+    }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
+    /*!
+    @brief  return difference
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
     */
-    friend bool operator==(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
+    difference_type operator-(const iter_impl &other) const
     {
-        const auto lhs_type = lhs.type();
-        const auto rhs_type = rhs.type();
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
 
-        if (lhs_type == rhs_type)
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
         {
-            switch (lhs_type)
-            {
-                case value_t::array:
-                {
-                    return *lhs.m_value.array == *rhs.m_value.array;
-                }
-                case value_t::object:
-                {
-                    return *lhs.m_value.object == *rhs.m_value.object;
-                }
-                case value_t::null:
-                {
-                    return true;
-                }
-                case value_t::string:
-                {
-                    return *lhs.m_value.string == *rhs.m_value.string;
-                }
-                case value_t::boolean:
-                {
-                    return lhs.m_value.boolean == rhs.m_value.boolean;
-                }
-                case value_t::number_integer:
-                {
-                    return lhs.m_value.number_integer == rhs.m_value.number_integer;
-                }
-                case value_t::number_unsigned:
-                {
-                    return lhs.m_value.number_unsigned == rhs.m_value.number_unsigned;
-                }
-                case value_t::number_float:
-                {
-                    return lhs.m_value.number_float == rhs.m_value.number_float;
-                }
-                default:
-                {
-                    return false;
-                }
-            }
+          JSON_THROW(
+              std::domain_error("cannot use offsets with object iterators"));
         }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_integer and rhs_type == value_t::number_float)
+
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
         {
-            return static_cast<number_float_t>(lhs.m_value.number_integer) == rhs.m_value.number_float;
+          return m_it.array_iterator - other.m_it.array_iterator;
         }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_float and rhs_type == value_t::number_integer)
+
+        default:
         {
-            return lhs.m_value.number_float == static_cast<number_float_t>(rhs.m_value.number_integer);
+          return m_it.primitive_iterator - other.m_it.primitive_iterator;
         }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned and rhs_type == value_t::number_float)
+      }
+    }
+
+    /*!
+    @brief  access to successor
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    reference operator[](difference_type n) const
+    {
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
+
+      switch (m_object->m_type)
+      {
+        case basic_json::value_t::object:
         {
-            return static_cast<number_float_t>(lhs.m_value.number_unsigned) == rhs.m_value.number_float;
+          JSON_THROW(
+              std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] for object iterators"));
         }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_float and rhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned)
+
+        case basic_json::value_t::array:
         {
-            return lhs.m_value.number_float == static_cast<number_float_t>(rhs.m_value.number_unsigned);
+          return *std::next(m_it.array_iterator, n);
         }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned and rhs_type == value_t::number_integer)
+
+        case basic_json::value_t::null:
         {
-            return static_cast<number_integer_t>(lhs.m_value.number_unsigned) == rhs.m_value.number_integer;
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
         }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_integer and rhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned)
+
+        default:
         {
-            return lhs.m_value.number_integer == static_cast<number_integer_t>(rhs.m_value.number_unsigned);
-        }
+          if (m_it.primitive_iterator == -n)
+          {
+            return *m_object;
+          }
 
-        return false;
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
+        }
+      }
     }
 
     /*!
-    @brief comparison: equal
+    @brief  return the key of an object iterator
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    typename object_t::key_type key() const
+    {
+      assert(m_object != nullptr);
 
-    The functions compares the given JSON value against a null pointer. As the
-    null pointer can be used to initialize a JSON value to null, a comparison
-    of JSON value @a v with a null pointer should be equivalent to call
-    `v.is_null()`.
+      if (m_object->is_object())
+      {
+        return m_it.object_iterator->first;
+      }
 
-    @param[in] v  JSON value to consider
-    @return whether @a v is null
+      JSON_THROW(
+          std::domain_error("cannot use key() for non-object iterators"));
+    }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+    /*!
+    @brief  return the value of an iterator
+    @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
+    */
+    reference value() const { return operator*(); }
 
-    @liveexample{The example compares several JSON types to the null pointer.
-    ,operator__equal__nullptr_t}
+  private:
+    /// associated JSON instance
+    pointer m_object = nullptr;
+    /// the actual iterator of the associated instance
+    internal_iterator m_it = internal_iterator();
+  };
+
+  /*!
+  @brief a template for a reverse iterator class
+
+  @tparam Base the base iterator type to reverse. Valid types are @ref
+  iterator (to create @ref reverse_iterator) and @ref const_iterator (to
+  create @ref const_reverse_iterator).
+
+  @requirement The class satisfies the following concept requirements:
+  -
+  [RandomAccessIterator](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/RandomAccessIterator):
+    The iterator that can be moved to point (forward and backward) to any
+    element in constant time.
+  - [OutputIterator](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/OutputIterator):
+    It is possible to write to the pointed-to element (only if @a Base is
+    @ref iterator).
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  template <typename Base>
+  class json_reverse_iterator : public std::reverse_iterator<Base>
+  {
+  public:
+    /// shortcut to the reverse iterator adaptor
+    using base_iterator = std::reverse_iterator<Base>;
+    /// the reference type for the pointed-to element
+    using reference = typename Base::reference;
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend bool operator==(const_reference v, std::nullptr_t) noexcept
+    /// create reverse iterator from iterator
+    json_reverse_iterator(
+        const typename base_iterator::iterator_type &it) noexcept
+        : base_iterator(it)
     {
-        return v.is_null();
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief comparison: equal
-    @copydoc operator==(const_reference, std::nullptr_t)
-    */
-    friend bool operator==(std::nullptr_t, const_reference v) noexcept
+    /// create reverse iterator from base class
+    json_reverse_iterator(const base_iterator &it) noexcept : base_iterator(it)
     {
-        return v.is_null();
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief comparison: not equal
-
-    Compares two JSON values for inequality by calculating `not (lhs == rhs)`.
-
-    @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
-    @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
-    @return whether the values @a lhs and @a rhs are not equal
-
-    @complexity Linear.
+    /// post-increment (it++)
+    json_reverse_iterator operator++(int)
+    {
+      return base_iterator::operator++(1);
+    }
 
-    @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
-    types.,operator__notequal}
+    /// pre-increment (++it)
+    json_reverse_iterator &operator++()
+    {
+      base_iterator::operator++();
+      return *this;
+    }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend bool operator!=(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
+    /// post-decrement (it--)
+    json_reverse_iterator operator--(int)
     {
-        return not (lhs == rhs);
+      return base_iterator::operator--(1);
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief comparison: not equal
+    /// pre-decrement (--it)
+    json_reverse_iterator &operator--()
+    {
+      base_iterator::operator--();
+      return *this;
+    }
 
-    The functions compares the given JSON value against a null pointer. As the
-    null pointer can be used to initialize a JSON value to null, a comparison
-    of JSON value @a v with a null pointer should be equivalent to call
-    `not v.is_null()`.
+    /// add to iterator
+    json_reverse_iterator &operator+=(difference_type i)
+    {
+      base_iterator::operator+=(i);
+      return *this;
+    }
 
-    @param[in] v  JSON value to consider
-    @return whether @a v is not null
+    /// add to iterator
+    json_reverse_iterator operator+(difference_type i) const
+    {
+      auto result = *this;
+      result += i;
+      return result;
+    }
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+    /// subtract from iterator
+    json_reverse_iterator operator-(difference_type i) const
+    {
+      auto result = *this;
+      result -= i;
+      return result;
+    }
 
-    @liveexample{The example compares several JSON types to the null pointer.
-    ,operator__notequal__nullptr_t}
+    /// return difference
+    difference_type operator-(const json_reverse_iterator &other) const
+    {
+      return this->base() - other.base();
+    }
 
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend bool operator!=(const_reference v, std::nullptr_t) noexcept
+    /// access to successor
+    reference operator[](difference_type n) const
     {
-        return not v.is_null();
+      return *(this->operator+(n));
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief comparison: not equal
-    @copydoc operator!=(const_reference, std::nullptr_t)
-    */
-    friend bool operator!=(std::nullptr_t, const_reference v) noexcept
+    /// return the key of an object iterator
+    typename object_t::key_type key() const
     {
-        return not v.is_null();
+      auto it = --this->base();
+      return it.key();
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief comparison: less than
-
-    Compares whether one JSON value @a lhs is less than another JSON value @a
-    rhs according to the following rules:
-    - If @a lhs and @a rhs have the same type, the values are compared using
-      the default `<` operator.
-    - Integer and floating-point numbers are automatically converted before
-      comparison
-    - In case @a lhs and @a rhs have different types, the values are ignored
-      and the order of the types is considered, see
-      @ref operator<(const value_t, const value_t).
-
-    @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
-    @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
-    @return whether @a lhs is less than @a rhs
-
-    @complexity Linear.
-
-    @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
-    types.,operator__less}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend bool operator<(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
-    {
-        const auto lhs_type = lhs.type();
-        const auto rhs_type = rhs.type();
-
-        if (lhs_type == rhs_type)
-        {
-            switch (lhs_type)
-            {
-                case value_t::array:
-                {
-                    return *lhs.m_value.array < *rhs.m_value.array;
-                }
-                case value_t::object:
-                {
-                    return *lhs.m_value.object < *rhs.m_value.object;
-                }
-                case value_t::null:
-                {
-                    return false;
-                }
-                case value_t::string:
-                {
-                    return *lhs.m_value.string < *rhs.m_value.string;
-                }
-                case value_t::boolean:
-                {
-                    return lhs.m_value.boolean < rhs.m_value.boolean;
-                }
-                case value_t::number_integer:
-                {
-                    return lhs.m_value.number_integer < rhs.m_value.number_integer;
-                }
-                case value_t::number_unsigned:
-                {
-                    return lhs.m_value.number_unsigned < rhs.m_value.number_unsigned;
-                }
-                case value_t::number_float:
-                {
-                    return lhs.m_value.number_float < rhs.m_value.number_float;
-                }
-                default:
-                {
-                    return false;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_integer and rhs_type == value_t::number_float)
-        {
-            return static_cast<number_float_t>(lhs.m_value.number_integer) < rhs.m_value.number_float;
-        }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_float and rhs_type == value_t::number_integer)
-        {
-            return lhs.m_value.number_float < static_cast<number_float_t>(rhs.m_value.number_integer);
-        }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned and rhs_type == value_t::number_float)
-        {
-            return static_cast<number_float_t>(lhs.m_value.number_unsigned) < rhs.m_value.number_float;
-        }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_float and rhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned)
-        {
-            return lhs.m_value.number_float < static_cast<number_float_t>(rhs.m_value.number_unsigned);
-        }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_integer and rhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned)
-        {
-            return lhs.m_value.number_integer < static_cast<number_integer_t>(rhs.m_value.number_unsigned);
-        }
-        else if (lhs_type == value_t::number_unsigned and rhs_type == value_t::number_integer)
-        {
-            return static_cast<number_integer_t>(lhs.m_value.number_unsigned) < rhs.m_value.number_integer;
-        }
-
-        // We only reach this line if we cannot compare values. In that case,
-        // we compare types. Note we have to call the operator explicitly,
-        // because MSVC has problems otherwise.
-        return operator<(lhs_type, rhs_type);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief comparison: less than or equal
-
-    Compares whether one JSON value @a lhs is less than or equal to another
-    JSON value by calculating `not (rhs < lhs)`.
-
-    @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
-    @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
-    @return whether @a lhs is less than or equal to @a rhs
-
-    @complexity Linear.
-
-    @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
-    types.,operator__greater}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend bool operator<=(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
-    {
-        return not (rhs < lhs);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief comparison: greater than
-
-    Compares whether one JSON value @a lhs is greater than another
-    JSON value by calculating `not (lhs <= rhs)`.
-
-    @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
-    @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
-    @return whether @a lhs is greater than to @a rhs
-
-    @complexity Linear.
-
-    @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
-    types.,operator__lessequal}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend bool operator>(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
-    {
-        return not (lhs <= rhs);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief comparison: greater than or equal
-
-    Compares whether one JSON value @a lhs is greater than or equal to another
-    JSON value by calculating `not (lhs < rhs)`.
-
-    @param[in] lhs  first JSON value to consider
-    @param[in] rhs  second JSON value to consider
-    @return whether @a lhs is greater than or equal to @a rhs
-
-    @complexity Linear.
-
-    @liveexample{The example demonstrates comparing several JSON
-    types.,operator__greaterequal}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend bool operator>=(const_reference lhs, const_reference rhs) noexcept
-    {
-        return not (lhs < rhs);
-    }
-
-    /// @}
-
-
-    ///////////////////
-    // serialization //
-    ///////////////////
-
-    /// @name serialization
-    /// @{
-
-    /*!
-    @brief serialize to stream
-
-    Serialize the given JSON value @a j to the output stream @a o. The JSON
-    value will be serialized using the @ref dump member function. The
-    indentation of the output can be controlled with the member variable
-    `width` of the output stream @a o. For instance, using the manipulator
-    `std::setw(4)` on @a o sets the indentation level to `4` and the
-    serialization result is the same as calling `dump(4)`.
-
-    @note During serializaion, the locale and the precision of the output
-    stream @a o are changed. The original values are restored when the
-    function returns.
-
-    @param[in,out] o  stream to serialize to
-    @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
-
-    @return the stream @a o
-
-    @complexity Linear.
-
-    @liveexample{The example below shows the serialization with different
-    parameters to `width` to adjust the indentation level.,operator_serialize}
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream& o, const basic_json& j)
-    {
-        // read width member and use it as indentation parameter if nonzero
-        const bool pretty_print = (o.width() > 0);
-        const auto indentation = (pretty_print ? o.width() : 0);
-
-        // reset width to 0 for subsequent calls to this stream
-        o.width(0);
-
-        // fix locale problems
-        const auto old_locale = o.imbue(std::locale::classic());
-        // set precision
-
-        // 6, 15 or 16 digits of precision allows round-trip IEEE 754
-        // string->float->string, string->double->string or string->long
-        // double->string; to be safe, we read this value from
-        // std::numeric_limits<number_float_t>::digits10
-        const auto old_precision = o.precision(std::numeric_limits<double>::digits10);
-
-        // do the actual serialization
-        j.dump(o, pretty_print, static_cast<unsigned int>(indentation));
-
-        // reset locale and precision
-        o.imbue(old_locale);
-        o.precision(old_precision);
-        return o;
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief serialize to stream
-    @copydoc operator<<(std::ostream&, const basic_json&)
-    */
-    friend std::ostream& operator>>(const basic_json& j, std::ostream& o)
-    {
-        return o << j;
-    }
-
-    /// @}
-
-
-    /////////////////////
-    // deserialization //
-    /////////////////////
-
-    /// @name deserialization
-    /// @{
-
-    /*!
-    @brief deserialize from an array
-
-    This function reads from an array of 1-byte values.
-
-    @pre Each element of the container has a size of 1 byte. Violating this
-    precondition yields undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced
-    with a static assertion.**
-
-    @param[in] array  array to read from
-    @param[in] cb  a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
-    which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
-    (optional)
-
-    @return result of the deserialization
-
-    @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
-    LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
-    @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
-
-    @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
-
-    @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function reading
-    from an array.,parse__array__parser_callback_t}
-
-    @since version 2.0.3
-    */
-    template<class T, std::size_t N>
-    static basic_json parse(T (&array)[N],
-                            const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
-    {
-        // delegate the call to the iterator-range parse overload
-        return parse(std::begin(array), std::end(array), cb);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief deserialize from string literal
-
-    @tparam CharT character/literal type with size of 1 byte
-    @param[in] s  string literal to read a serialized JSON value from
-    @param[in] cb a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
-    which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
-    (optional)
-
-    @return result of the deserialization
-
-    @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
-    LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
-    @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
-
-    @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
-    @note String containers like `std::string` or @ref string_t can be parsed
-          with @ref parse(const ContiguousContainer&, const parser_callback_t)
-
-    @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function with
-    and without callback function.,parse__string__parser_callback_t}
-
-    @sa @ref parse(std::istream&, const parser_callback_t) for a version that
-    reads from an input stream
-
-    @since version 1.0.0 (originally for @ref string_t)
-    */
-    template<typename CharT, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_pointer<CharT>::value and
-                 std::is_integral<typename std::remove_pointer<CharT>::type>::value and
-                 sizeof(typename std::remove_pointer<CharT>::type) == 1, int>::type = 0>
-    static basic_json parse(const CharT s,
-                            const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+    /// return the value of an iterator
+    reference value() const
     {
-        return parser(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(s), cb).parse();
+      auto it = --this->base();
+      return it.operator*();
     }
+  };
 
-    /*!
-    @brief deserialize from stream
-
-    @param[in,out] i  stream to read a serialized JSON value from
-    @param[in] cb a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
-    which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
-    (optional)
-
-    @return result of the deserialization
-
-    @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
-    LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
-    @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
-
-    @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
-
-    @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function with
-    and without callback function.,parse__istream__parser_callback_t}
-
-    @sa @ref parse(const CharT, const parser_callback_t) for a version
-    that reads from a string
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    static basic_json parse(std::istream& i,
-                            const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
-    {
-        return parser(i, cb).parse();
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @copydoc parse(std::istream&, const parser_callback_t)
-    */
-    static basic_json parse(std::istream&& i,
-                            const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
-    {
-        return parser(i, cb).parse();
-    }
+private:
+  //////////////////////
+  // lexer and parser //
+  //////////////////////
 
-    /*!
-    @brief deserialize from an iterator range with contiguous storage
-
-    This function reads from an iterator range of a container with contiguous
-    storage of 1-byte values. Compatible container types include
-    `std::vector`, `std::string`, `std::array`, `std::valarray`, and
-    `std::initializer_list`. Furthermore, C-style arrays can be used with
-    `std::begin()`/`std::end()`. User-defined containers can be used as long
-    as they implement random-access iterators and a contiguous storage.
-
-    @pre The iterator range is contiguous. Violating this precondition yields
-    undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced with an assertion.**
-    @pre Each element in the range has a size of 1 byte. Violating this
-    precondition yields undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced
-    with a static assertion.**
-
-    @warning There is no way to enforce all preconditions at compile-time. If
-             the function is called with noncompliant iterators and with
-             assertions switched off, the behavior is undefined and will most
-             likely yield segmentation violation.
+  /*!
+  @brief lexical analysis
 
-    @tparam IteratorType iterator of container with contiguous storage
-    @param[in] first  begin of the range to parse (included)
-    @param[in] last  end of the range to parse (excluded)
-    @param[in] cb  a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
-    which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
-    (optional)
-
-    @return result of the deserialization
-
-    @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
-    LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
-    @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
-
-    @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
+  This class organizes the lexical analysis during JSON deserialization. The
+  core of it is a scanner generated by [re2c](http://re2c.org) that
+  processes a buffer and recognizes tokens according to RFC 7159.
+  */
+  class lexer
+  {
+  public:
+    /// token types for the parser
+    enum class token_type
+    {
+      uninitialized,   ///< indicating the scanner is uninitialized
+      literal_true,    ///< the `true` literal
+      literal_false,   ///< the `false` literal
+      literal_null,    ///< the `null` literal
+      value_string,    ///< a string -- use get_string() for actual value
+      value_number,    ///< a number -- use get_number() for actual value
+      begin_array,     ///< the character for array begin `[`
+      begin_object,    ///< the character for object begin `{`
+      end_array,       ///< the character for array end `]`
+      end_object,      ///< the character for object end `}`
+      name_separator,  ///< the name separator `:`
+      value_separator, ///< the value separator `,`
+      parse_error,     ///< indicating a parse error
+      end_of_input     ///< indicating the end of the input buffer
+    };
 
-    @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function reading
-    from an iterator range.,parse__iteratortype__parser_callback_t}
+    /// the char type to use in the lexer
+    using lexer_char_t = unsigned char;
 
-    @since version 2.0.3
-    */
-    template<class IteratorType, typename std::enable_if<
-                 std::is_base_of<
-                     std::random_access_iterator_tag,
-                     typename std::iterator_traits<IteratorType>::iterator_category>::value, int>::type = 0>
-    static basic_json parse(IteratorType first, IteratorType last,
-                            const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+    /// a lexer from a buffer with given length
+    lexer(const lexer_char_t *buff, const size_t len) noexcept : m_content(buff)
     {
-        // assertion to check that the iterator range is indeed contiguous,
-        // see http://stackoverflow.com/a/35008842/266378 for more discussion
-        assert(std::accumulate(first, last, std::pair<bool, int>(true, 0),
-                               [&first](std::pair<bool, int> res, decltype(*first) val)
-        {
-            res.first &= (val == *(std::next(std::addressof(*first), res.second++)));
-            return res;
-        }).first);
-
-        // assertion to check that each element is 1 byte long
-        static_assert(sizeof(typename std::iterator_traits<IteratorType>::value_type) == 1,
-                      "each element in the iterator range must have the size of 1 byte");
-
-        // if iterator range is empty, create a parser with an empty string
-        // to generate "unexpected EOF" error message
-        if (std::distance(first, last) <= 0)
-        {
-            return parser("").parse();
-        }
-
-        return parser(first, last, cb).parse();
+      assert(m_content != nullptr);
+      m_start = m_cursor = m_content;
+      m_limit = m_content + len;
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief deserialize from a container with contiguous storage
-
-    This function reads from a container with contiguous storage of 1-byte
-    values. Compatible container types include `std::vector`, `std::string`,
-    `std::array`, and `std::initializer_list`. User-defined containers can be
-    used as long as they implement random-access iterators and a contiguous
-    storage.
-
-    @pre The container storage is contiguous. Violating this precondition
-    yields undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced with an
-    assertion.**
-    @pre Each element of the container has a size of 1 byte. Violating this
-    precondition yields undefined behavior. **This precondition is enforced
-    with a static assertion.**
-
-    @warning There is no way to enforce all preconditions at compile-time. If
-             the function is called with a noncompliant container and with
-             assertions switched off, the behavior is undefined and will most
-             likely yield segmentation violation.
-
-    @tparam ContiguousContainer container type with contiguous storage
-    @param[in] c  container to read from
-    @param[in] cb  a parser callback function of type @ref parser_callback_t
-    which is used to control the deserialization by filtering unwanted values
-    (optional)
-
-    @return result of the deserialization
-
-    @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
-    LL(1) parser. The complexity can be higher if the parser callback function
-    @a cb has a super-linear complexity.
-
-    @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
-
-    @liveexample{The example below demonstrates the `parse()` function reading
-    from a contiguous container.,parse__contiguouscontainer__parser_callback_t}
-
-    @since version 2.0.3
-    */
-    template<class ContiguousContainer, typename std::enable_if<
-                 not std::is_pointer<ContiguousContainer>::value and
-                 std::is_base_of<
-                     std::random_access_iterator_tag,
-                     typename std::iterator_traits<decltype(std::begin(std::declval<ContiguousContainer const>()))>::iterator_category>::value
-                 , int>::type = 0>
-    static basic_json parse(const ContiguousContainer& c,
-                            const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+    /// a lexer from an input stream
+    explicit lexer(std::istream &s) : m_stream(&s), m_line_buffer()
     {
-        // delegate the call to the iterator-range parse overload
-        return parse(std::begin(c), std::end(c), cb);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief deserialize from stream
-
-    Deserializes an input stream to a JSON value.
-
-    @param[in,out] i  input stream to read a serialized JSON value from
-    @param[in,out] j  JSON value to write the deserialized input to
+      // immediately abort if stream is erroneous
+      if (s.fail())
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("stream error"));
+      }
 
-    @throw std::invalid_argument in case of parse errors
+      // fill buffer
+      fill_line_buffer();
 
-    @complexity Linear in the length of the input. The parser is a predictive
-    LL(1) parser.
-
-    @note A UTF-8 byte order mark is silently ignored.
-
-    @liveexample{The example below shows how a JSON value is constructed by
-    reading a serialization from a stream.,operator_deserialize}
-
-    @sa parse(std::istream&, const parser_callback_t) for a variant with a
-    parser callback function to filter values while parsing
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    friend std::istream& operator<<(basic_json& j, std::istream& i)
-    {
-        j = parser(i).parse();
-        return i;
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief deserialize from stream
-    @copydoc operator<<(basic_json&, std::istream&)
-    */
-    friend std::istream& operator>>(std::istream& i, basic_json& j)
-    {
-        j = parser(i).parse();
-        return i;
+      // skip UTF-8 byte-order mark
+      if (m_line_buffer.size() >= 3 and
+          m_line_buffer.substr(0, 3) == "\xEF\xBB\xBF")
+      {
+        m_line_buffer[0] = ' ';
+        m_line_buffer[1] = ' ';
+        m_line_buffer[2] = ' ';
+      }
     }
 
-    /// @}
-
-    //////////////////////////////////////////
-    // binary serialization/deserialization //
-    //////////////////////////////////////////
-
-    /// @name binary serialization/deserialization support
-    /// @{
-
-  private:
-    template<typename T>
-    static void add_to_vector(std::vector<uint8_t>& vec, size_t bytes, const T number)
-    {
-        assert(bytes == 1 or bytes == 2 or bytes == 4 or bytes == 8);
-
-        switch (bytes)
-        {
-            case 8:
-            {
-                vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 070) & 0xff));
-                vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 060) & 0xff));
-                vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 050) & 0xff));
-                vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 040) & 0xff));
-                // intentional fall-through
-            }
-
-            case 4:
-            {
-                vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 030) & 0xff));
-                vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 020) & 0xff));
-                // intentional fall-through
-            }
-
-            case 2:
-            {
-                vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>((number >> 010) & 0xff));
-                // intentional fall-through
-            }
-
-            case 1:
-            {
-                vec.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(number & 0xff));
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
+    // switch off unwanted functions (due to pointer members)
+    lexer() = delete;
+    lexer(const lexer &) = delete;
+    lexer operator=(const lexer &) = delete;
 
     /*!
-    @brief take sufficient bytes from a vector to fill an integer variable
-
-    In the context of binary serialization formats, we need to read several
-    bytes from a byte vector and combine them to multi-byte integral data
-    types.
+    @brief create a string from one or two Unicode code points
 
-    @param[in] vec  byte vector to read from
-    @param[in] current_index  the position in the vector after which to read
+    There are two cases: (1) @a codepoint1 is in the Basic Multilingual
+    Plane (U+0000 through U+FFFF) and @a codepoint2 is 0, or (2)
+    @a codepoint1 and @a codepoint2 are a UTF-16 surrogate pair to
+    represent a code point above U+FFFF.
 
-    @return the next sizeof(T) bytes from @a vec, in reverse order as T
+    @param[in] codepoint1  the code point (can be high surrogate)
+    @param[in] codepoint2  the code point (can be low surrogate or 0)
 
-    @tparam T the integral return type
+    @return string representation of the code point; the length of the
+    result string is between 1 and 4 characters.
 
-    @throw std::out_of_range if there are less than sizeof(T)+1 bytes in the
-           vector @a vec to read
+    @throw std::out_of_range if code point is > 0x10ffff; example: `"code
+    points above 0x10FFFF are invalid"`
+    @throw std::invalid_argument if the low surrogate is invalid; example:
+    `""missing or wrong low surrogate""`
 
-    In the for loop, the bytes from the vector are copied in reverse order into
-    the return value. In the figures below, let sizeof(T)=4 and `i` be the loop
-    variable.
-
-    Precondition:
-
-    vec:   |   |   | a | b | c | d |      T: |   |   |   |   |
-                 ^               ^             ^                ^
-           current_index         i            ptr        sizeof(T)
-
-    Postcondition:
-
-    vec:   |   |   | a | b | c | d |      T: | d | c | b | a |
-                 ^   ^                                     ^
-                 |   i                                    ptr
-           current_index
+    @complexity Constant.
 
-    @sa Code adapted from <http://stackoverflow.com/a/41031865/266378>.
+    @see <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTF-8#Sample_code>
     */
-    template<typename T>
-    static T get_from_vector(const std::vector<uint8_t>& vec, const size_t current_index)
+    static string_t to_unicode(const std::size_t codepoint1,
+                               const std::size_t codepoint2 = 0)
     {
-        if (current_index + sizeof(T) + 1 > vec.size())
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot read " + std::to_string(sizeof(T)) + " bytes from vector"));
-        }
+      // calculate the code point from the given code points
+      std::size_t codepoint = codepoint1;
 
-        T result;
-        auto* ptr = reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&result);
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < sizeof(T); ++i)
+      // check if codepoint1 is a high surrogate
+      if (codepoint1 >= 0xD800 and codepoint1 <= 0xDBFF)
+      {
+        // check if codepoint2 is a low surrogate
+        if (codepoint2 >= 0xDC00 and codepoint2 <= 0xDFFF)
         {
-            *ptr++ = vec[current_index + sizeof(T) - i];
+          codepoint =
+              // high surrogate occupies the most significant 22 bits
+              (codepoint1 << 10)
+              // low surrogate occupies the least significant 15 bits
+              + codepoint2
+              // there is still the 0xD800, 0xDC00 and 0x10000 noise
+              // in the result so we have to subtract with:
+              // (0xD800 << 10) + DC00 - 0x10000 = 0x35FDC00
+              - 0x35FDC00;
         }
-        return result;
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief create a MessagePack serialization of a given JSON value
-
-    This is a straightforward implementation of the MessagePack specification.
-
-    @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
-    @param[in,out] v  byte vector to write the serialization to
-
-    @sa https://github.com/msgpack/msgpack/blob/master/spec.md
-    */
-    static void to_msgpack_internal(const basic_json& j, std::vector<uint8_t>& v)
-    {
-        switch (j.type())
+        else
         {
-            case value_t::null:
-            {
-                // nil
-                v.push_back(0xc0);
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            {
-                // true and false
-                v.push_back(j.m_value.boolean ? 0xc3 : 0xc2);
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            {
-                if (j.m_value.number_integer >= 0)
-                {
-                    // MessagePack does not differentiate between positive
-                    // signed integers and unsigned integers. Therefore, we
-                    // used the code from the value_t::number_unsigned case
-                    // here.
-                    if (j.m_value.number_unsigned < 128)
-                    {
-                        // positive fixnum
-                        add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT8_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // uint 8
-                        v.push_back(0xcc);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT16_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // uint 16
-                        v.push_back(0xcd);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT32_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // uint 32
-                        v.push_back(0xce);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT64_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // uint 64
-                        v.push_back(0xcf);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                    }
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    if (j.m_value.number_integer >= -32)
-                    {
-                        // negative fixnum
-                        add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_integer >= INT8_MIN and j.m_value.number_integer <= INT8_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // int 8
-                        v.push_back(0xd0);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_integer >= INT16_MIN and j.m_value.number_integer <= INT16_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // int 16
-                        v.push_back(0xd1);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_integer >= INT32_MIN and j.m_value.number_integer <= INT32_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // int 32
-                        v.push_back(0xd2);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_integer >= INT64_MIN and j.m_value.number_integer <= INT64_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // int 64
-                        v.push_back(0xd3);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                }
-                break;
+          JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("missing or wrong low surrogate"));
+        }
+      }
+
+      string_t result;
+
+      if (codepoint < 0x80)
+      {
+        // 1-byte characters: 0xxxxxxx (ASCII)
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(codepoint));
+      }
+      else if (codepoint <= 0x7ff)
+      {
+        // 2-byte characters: 110xxxxx 10xxxxxx
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0xC0 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x1F)));
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F)));
+      }
+      else if (codepoint <= 0xffff)
+      {
+        // 3-byte characters: 1110xxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0xE0 | ((codepoint >> 12) & 0x0F)));
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0x80 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x3F)));
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F)));
+      }
+      else if (codepoint <= 0x10ffff)
+      {
+        // 4-byte characters: 11110xxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0xF0 | ((codepoint >> 18) & 0x07)));
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0x80 | ((codepoint >> 12) & 0x3F)));
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0x80 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x3F)));
+        result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(
+                             0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F)));
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("code points above 0x10FFFF are invalid"));
+      }
+
+      return result;
+    }
+
+    /// return name of values of type token_type (only used for errors)
+    static std::string token_type_name(const token_type t)
+    {
+      switch (t)
+      {
+        case token_type::uninitialized:
+          return "<uninitialized>";
+        case token_type::literal_true:
+          return "true literal";
+        case token_type::literal_false:
+          return "false literal";
+        case token_type::literal_null:
+          return "null literal";
+        case token_type::value_string:
+          return "string literal";
+        case token_type::value_number:
+          return "number literal";
+        case token_type::begin_array:
+          return "'['";
+        case token_type::begin_object:
+          return "'{'";
+        case token_type::end_array:
+          return "']'";
+        case token_type::end_object:
+          return "'}'";
+        case token_type::name_separator:
+          return "':'";
+        case token_type::value_separator:
+          return "','";
+        case token_type::parse_error:
+          return "<parse error>";
+        case token_type::end_of_input:
+          return "end of input";
+        default:
+        {
+          // catch non-enum values
+          return "unknown token"; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    /*!
+    This function implements a scanner for JSON. It is specified using
+    regular expressions that try to follow RFC 7159 as close as possible.
+    These regular expressions are then translated into a minimized
+    deterministic finite automaton (DFA) by the tool
+    [re2c](http://re2c.org). As a result, the translated code for this
+    function consists of a large block of code with `goto` jumps.
+
+    @return the class of the next token read from the buffer
+
+    @complexity Linear in the length of the input.\n
+
+    Proposition: The loop below will always terminate for finite input.\n
+
+    Proof (by contradiction): Assume a finite input. To loop forever, the
+    loop must never hit code with a `break` statement. The only code
+    snippets without a `break` statement are the continue statements for
+    whitespace and byte-order-marks. To loop forever, the input must be an
+    infinite sequence of whitespace or byte-order-marks. This contradicts
+    the assumption of finite input, q.e.d.
+    */
+    token_type scan()
+    {
+      while (true)
+      {
+        // pointer for backtracking information
+        m_marker = nullptr;
+
+        // remember the begin of the token
+        m_start = m_cursor;
+        assert(m_start != nullptr);
+
+        {
+          lexer_char_t yych;
+          unsigned int yyaccept = 0;
+          static const unsigned char yybm[] = {
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   32,  32,  0,   0,
+              32,  0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   160, 128, 0,   128, 128, 128, 128,
+              128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 192, 192, 192, 192,
+              192, 192, 192, 192, 192, 192, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
+              128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
+              128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
+              128, 0,   128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
+              128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
+              128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+              0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
+          };
+          if ((m_limit - m_cursor) < 5)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(5); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yybm[0 + yych] & 32)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_6;
+          }
+          if (yych <= '[')
+          {
+            if (yych <= '-')
+            {
+              if (yych <= '"')
+              {
+                if (yych <= 0x00)
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_2;
+                }
+                if (yych <= '!')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_4;
+                }
+                goto basic_json_parser_9;
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                if (yych <= '+')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_4;
+                }
+                if (yych <= ',')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_10;
+                }
+                goto basic_json_parser_12;
+              }
             }
-
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
+            else
             {
-                if (j.m_value.number_unsigned < 128)
-                {
-                    // positive fixnum
-                    add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                }
-                else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT8_MAX)
+              if (yych <= '9')
+              {
+                if (yych <= '/')
                 {
-                    // uint 8
-                    v.push_back(0xcc);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+                  goto basic_json_parser_4;
                 }
-                else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT16_MAX)
+                if (yych <= '0')
                 {
-                    // uint 16
-                    v.push_back(0xcd);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+                  goto basic_json_parser_13;
                 }
-                else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT32_MAX)
+                goto basic_json_parser_15;
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                if (yych <= ':')
                 {
-                    // uint 32
-                    v.push_back(0xce);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+                  goto basic_json_parser_17;
                 }
-                else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= UINT64_MAX)
+                if (yych <= 'Z')
                 {
-                    // uint 64
-                    v.push_back(0xcf);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
+                  goto basic_json_parser_4;
                 }
-                break;
+                goto basic_json_parser_19;
+              }
             }
-
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            {
-                // float 64
-                v.push_back(0xcb);
-                const auto* helper = reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t*>(&(j.m_value.number_float));
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < 8; ++i)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(helper[7 - i]);
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::string:
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'n')
             {
-                const auto N = j.m_value.string->size();
-                if (N <= 31)
-                {
-                    // fixstr
-                    v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(0xa0 | N));
-                }
-                else if (N <= 255)
+              if (yych <= 'e')
+              {
+                if (yych == ']')
                 {
-                    // str 8
-                    v.push_back(0xd9);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 1, N);
+                  goto basic_json_parser_21;
                 }
-                else if (N <= 65535)
+                goto basic_json_parser_4;
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                if (yych <= 'f')
                 {
-                    // str 16
-                    v.push_back(0xda);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
+                  goto basic_json_parser_23;
                 }
-                else if (N <= 4294967295)
+                if (yych <= 'm')
                 {
-                    // str 32
-                    v.push_back(0xdb);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
+                  goto basic_json_parser_4;
                 }
-
-                // append string
-                std::copy(j.m_value.string->begin(), j.m_value.string->end(),
-                          std::back_inserter(v));
-                break;
+                goto basic_json_parser_24;
+              }
             }
-
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                const auto N = j.m_value.array->size();
-                if (N <= 15)
-                {
-                    // fixarray
-                    v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(0x90 | N));
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xffff)
-                {
-                    // array 16
-                    v.push_back(0xdc);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xffffffff)
-                {
-                    // array 32
-                    v.push_back(0xdd);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
-                }
-
-                // append each element
-                for (const auto& el : *j.m_value.array)
-                {
-                    to_msgpack_internal(el, v);
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                const auto N = j.m_value.object->size();
-                if (N <= 15)
-                {
-                    // fixmap
-                    v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(0x80 | (N & 0xf)));
-                }
-                else if (N <= 65535)
-                {
-                    // map 16
-                    v.push_back(0xde);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
-                }
-                else if (N <= 4294967295)
-                {
-                    // map 32
-                    v.push_back(0xdf);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
-                }
-
-                // append each element
-                for (const auto& el : *j.m_value.object)
-                {
-                    to_msgpack_internal(el.first, v);
-                    to_msgpack_internal(el.second, v);
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-
-            default:
-            {
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief create a CBOR serialization of a given JSON value
-
-    This is a straightforward implementation of the CBOR specification.
-
-    @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
-    @param[in,out] v  byte vector to write the serialization to
-
-    @sa https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7049
-    */
-    static void to_cbor_internal(const basic_json& j, std::vector<uint8_t>& v)
-    {
-        switch (j.type())
-        {
-            case value_t::null:
-            {
-                v.push_back(0xf6);
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            {
-                v.push_back(j.m_value.boolean ? 0xf5 : 0xf4);
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            {
-                if (j.m_value.number_integer >= 0)
-                {
-                    // CBOR does not differentiate between positive signed
-                    // integers and unsigned integers. Therefore, we used the
-                    // code from the value_t::number_unsigned case here.
-                    if (j.m_value.number_integer <= 0x17)
-                    {
-                        add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_integer <= UINT8_MAX)
-                    {
-                        v.push_back(0x18);
-                        // one-byte uint8_t
-                        add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_integer <= UINT16_MAX)
-                    {
-                        v.push_back(0x19);
-                        // two-byte uint16_t
-                        add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                    else if (j.m_value.number_integer <= UINT32_MAX)
-                    {
-                        v.push_back(0x1a);
-                        // four-byte uint32_t
-                        add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        v.push_back(0x1b);
-                        // eight-byte uint64_t
-                        add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_integer);
-                    }
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    // The conversions below encode the sign in the first
-                    // byte, and the value is converted to a positive number.
-                    const auto positive_number = -1 - j.m_value.number_integer;
-                    if (j.m_value.number_integer >= -24)
-                    {
-                        v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(0x20 + positive_number));
-                    }
-                    else if (positive_number <= UINT8_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // int 8
-                        v.push_back(0x38);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 1, positive_number);
-                    }
-                    else if (positive_number <= UINT16_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // int 16
-                        v.push_back(0x39);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 2, positive_number);
-                    }
-                    else if (positive_number <= UINT32_MAX)
-                    {
-                        // int 32
-                        v.push_back(0x3a);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 4, positive_number);
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        // int 64
-                        v.push_back(0x3b);
-                        add_to_vector(v, 8, positive_number);
-                    }
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            {
-                if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0x17)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(static_cast<uint8_t>(j.m_value.number_unsigned));
-                }
-                else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0xff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x18);
-                    // one-byte uint8_t
-                    add_to_vector(v, 1, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                }
-                else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0xffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x19);
-                    // two-byte uint16_t
-                    add_to_vector(v, 2, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                }
-                else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0xffffffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x1a);
-                    // four-byte uint32_t
-                    add_to_vector(v, 4, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                }
-                else if (j.m_value.number_unsigned <= 0xffffffffffffffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x1b);
-                    // eight-byte uint64_t
-                    add_to_vector(v, 8, j.m_value.number_unsigned);
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            {
-                // Double-Precision Float
-                v.push_back(0xfb);
-                const auto* helper = reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t*>(&(j.m_value.number_float));
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < 8; ++i)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(helper[7 - i]);
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                const auto N = j.m_value.string->size();
-                if (N <= 0x17)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x60 + N);  // 1 byte for string + size
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x78);  // one-byte uint8_t for N
-                    add_to_vector(v, 1, N);
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x79);  // two-byte uint16_t for N
-                    add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xffffffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x7a); // four-byte uint32_t for N
-                    add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
-                }
-                // LCOV_EXCL_START
-                else if (N <= 0xffffffffffffffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x7b);  // eight-byte uint64_t for N
-                    add_to_vector(v, 8, N);
-                }
-                // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
-
-                // append string
-                std::copy(j.m_value.string->begin(), j.m_value.string->end(),
-                          std::back_inserter(v));
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                const auto N = j.m_value.array->size();
-                if (N <= 0x17)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x80 + N);  // 1 byte for array + size
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x98);  // one-byte uint8_t for N
-                    add_to_vector(v, 1, N);
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x99);  // two-byte uint16_t for N
-                    add_to_vector(v, 2, N);
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xffffffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x9a);  // four-byte uint32_t for N
-                    add_to_vector(v, 4, N);
-                }
-                // LCOV_EXCL_START
-                else if (N <= 0xffffffffffffffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0x9b);  // eight-byte uint64_t for N
-                    add_to_vector(v, 8, N);
-                }
-                // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
-
-                // append each element
-                for (const auto& el : *j.m_value.array)
-                {
-                    to_cbor_internal(el, v);
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                const auto N = j.m_value.object->size();
-                if (N <= 0x17)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0xa0 + N);  // 1 byte for object + size
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0xb8);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 1, N);  // one-byte uint8_t for N
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0xb9);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 2, N);  // two-byte uint16_t for N
-                }
-                else if (N <= 0xffffffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0xba);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 4, N);  // four-byte uint32_t for N
-                }
-                // LCOV_EXCL_START
-                else if (N <= 0xffffffffffffffff)
-                {
-                    v.push_back(0xbb);
-                    add_to_vector(v, 8, N);  // eight-byte uint64_t for N
-                }
-                // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
-
-                // append each element
-                for (const auto& el : *j.m_value.object)
-                {
-                    to_cbor_internal(el.first, v);
-                    to_cbor_internal(el.second, v);
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-
-            default:
-            {
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-
-    /*
-    @brief checks if given lengths do not exceed the size of a given vector
-
-    To secure the access to the byte vector during CBOR/MessagePack
-    deserialization, bytes are copied from the vector into buffers. This
-    function checks if the number of bytes to copy (@a len) does not exceed
-    the size @s size of the vector. Additionally, an @a offset is given from
-    where to start reading the bytes.
-
-    This function checks whether reading the bytes is safe; that is, offset is
-    a valid index in the vector, offset+len
-
-    @param[in] size    size of the byte vector
-    @param[in] len     number of bytes to read
-    @param[in] offset  offset where to start reading
-
-    vec:  x x x x x X X X X X
-          ^         ^         ^
-          0         offset    len
-
-    @throws out_of_range if `len > v.size()`
-    */
-    static void check_length(const size_t size, const size_t len, const size_t offset)
-    {
-        // simple case: requested length is greater than the vector's length
-        if (len > size or offset > size)
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("len out of range"));
-        }
-
-        // second case: adding offset would result in overflow
-        if ((size > (std::numeric_limits<size_t>::max() - offset)))
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("len+offset out of range"));
-        }
-
-        // last case: reading past the end of the vector
-        if (len + offset > size)
-        {
-            JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("len+offset out of range"));
-        }
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief create a JSON value from a given MessagePack vector
-
-    @param[in] v  MessagePack serialization
-    @param[in] idx  byte index to start reading from @a v
-
-    @return deserialized JSON value
-
-    @throw std::invalid_argument if unsupported features from MessagePack were
-    used in the given vector @a v or if the input is not valid MessagePack
-    @throw std::out_of_range if the given vector ends prematurely
-
-    @sa https://github.com/msgpack/msgpack/blob/master/spec.md
-    */
-    static basic_json from_msgpack_internal(const std::vector<uint8_t>& v, size_t& idx)
-    {
-        // make sure reading 1 byte is safe
-        check_length(v.size(), 1, idx);
-
-        // store and increment index
-        const size_t current_idx = idx++;
-
-        if (v[current_idx] <= 0xbf)
-        {
-            if (v[current_idx] <= 0x7f) // positive fixint
-            {
-                return v[current_idx];
-            }
-            if (v[current_idx] <= 0x8f) // fixmap
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                const size_t len = v[current_idx] & 0x0f;
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    std::string key = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
-                    result[key] = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-            else if (v[current_idx] <= 0x9f) // fixarray
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                const size_t len = v[current_idx] & 0x0f;
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    result.push_back(from_msgpack_internal(v, idx));
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-            else // fixstr
-            {
-                const size_t len = v[current_idx] & 0x1f;
-                const size_t offset = current_idx + 1;
-                idx += len; // skip content bytes
-                check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-            }
-        }
-        else if (v[current_idx] >= 0xe0) // negative fixint
-        {
-            return static_cast<int8_t>(v[current_idx]);
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            switch (v[current_idx])
-            {
-                case 0xc0: // nil
-                {
-                    return value_t::null;
-                }
-
-                case 0xc2: // false
-                {
-                    return false;
-                }
-
-                case 0xc3: // true
-                {
-                    return true;
-                }
-
-                case 0xca: // float 32
-                {
-                    // copy bytes in reverse order into the double variable
-                    float res;
-                    for (size_t byte = 0; byte < sizeof(float); ++byte)
-                    {
-                        reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&res)[sizeof(float) - byte - 1] = v.at(current_idx + 1 + byte);
-                    }
-                    idx += sizeof(float); // skip content bytes
-                    return res;
-                }
-
-                case 0xcb: // float 64
-                {
-                    // copy bytes in reverse order into the double variable
-                    double res;
-                    for (size_t byte = 0; byte < sizeof(double); ++byte)
-                    {
-                        reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&res)[sizeof(double) - byte - 1] = v.at(current_idx + 1 + byte);
-                    }
-                    idx += sizeof(double); // skip content bytes
-                    return res;
-                }
-
-                case 0xcc: // uint 8
-                {
-                    idx += 1; // skip content byte
-                    return get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx);
-                }
-
-                case 0xcd: // uint 16
-                {
-                    idx += 2; // skip 2 content bytes
-                    return get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx);
-                }
-
-                case 0xce: // uint 32
-                {
-                    idx += 4; // skip 4 content bytes
-                    return get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx);
-                }
-
-                case 0xcf: // uint 64
-                {
-                    idx += 8; // skip 8 content bytes
-                    return get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx);
-                }
-
-                case 0xd0: // int 8
-                {
-                    idx += 1; // skip content byte
-                    return get_from_vector<int8_t>(v, current_idx);
-                }
-
-                case 0xd1: // int 16
-                {
-                    idx += 2; // skip 2 content bytes
-                    return get_from_vector<int16_t>(v, current_idx);
-                }
-
-                case 0xd2: // int 32
-                {
-                    idx += 4; // skip 4 content bytes
-                    return get_from_vector<int32_t>(v, current_idx);
-                }
-
-                case 0xd3: // int 64
-                {
-                    idx += 8; // skip 8 content bytes
-                    return get_from_vector<int64_t>(v, current_idx);
-                }
-
-                case 0xd9: // str 8
-                {
-                    const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx));
-                    const size_t offset = current_idx + 2;
-                    idx += len + 1; // skip size byte + content bytes
-                    check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                    return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-                }
-
-                case 0xda: // str 16
-                {
-                    const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
-                    const size_t offset = current_idx + 3;
-                    idx += len + 2; // skip 2 size bytes + content bytes
-                    check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                    return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-                }
-
-                case 0xdb: // str 32
-                {
-                    const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
-                    const size_t offset = current_idx + 5;
-                    idx += len + 4; // skip 4 size bytes + content bytes
-                    check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                    return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-                }
-
-                case 0xdc: // array 16
-                {
-                    basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                    const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
-                    idx += 2; // skip 2 size bytes
-                    for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                    {
-                        result.push_back(from_msgpack_internal(v, idx));
-                    }
-                    return result;
-                }
-
-                case 0xdd: // array 32
-                {
-                    basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                    const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
-                    idx += 4; // skip 4 size bytes
-                    for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                    {
-                        result.push_back(from_msgpack_internal(v, idx));
-                    }
-                    return result;
-                }
-
-                case 0xde: // map 16
-                {
-                    basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                    const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
-                    idx += 2; // skip 2 size bytes
-                    for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                    {
-                        std::string key = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
-                        result[key] = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
-                    }
-                    return result;
-                }
-
-                case 0xdf: // map 32
-                {
-                    basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                    const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
-                    idx += 4; // skip 4 size bytes
-                    for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                    {
-                        std::string key = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
-                        result[key] = from_msgpack_internal(v, idx);
-                    }
-                    return result;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("error parsing a msgpack @ " + std::to_string(current_idx) + ": " + std::to_string(static_cast<int>(v[current_idx]))));
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief create a JSON value from a given CBOR vector
-
-    @param[in] v  CBOR serialization
-    @param[in] idx  byte index to start reading from @a v
-
-    @return deserialized JSON value
-
-    @throw std::invalid_argument if unsupported features from CBOR were used in
-    the given vector @a v or if the input is not valid CBOR
-    @throw std::out_of_range if the given vector ends prematurely
-
-    @sa https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7049
-    */
-    static basic_json from_cbor_internal(const std::vector<uint8_t>& v, size_t& idx)
-    {
-        // store and increment index
-        const size_t current_idx = idx++;
-
-        switch (v.at(current_idx))
-        {
-            // Integer 0x00..0x17 (0..23)
-            case 0x00:
-            case 0x01:
-            case 0x02:
-            case 0x03:
-            case 0x04:
-            case 0x05:
-            case 0x06:
-            case 0x07:
-            case 0x08:
-            case 0x09:
-            case 0x0a:
-            case 0x0b:
-            case 0x0c:
-            case 0x0d:
-            case 0x0e:
-            case 0x0f:
-            case 0x10:
-            case 0x11:
-            case 0x12:
-            case 0x13:
-            case 0x14:
-            case 0x15:
-            case 0x16:
-            case 0x17:
-            {
-                return v[current_idx];
-            }
-
-            case 0x18: // Unsigned integer (one-byte uint8_t follows)
-            {
-                idx += 1; // skip content byte
-                return get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx);
-            }
-
-            case 0x19: // Unsigned integer (two-byte uint16_t follows)
-            {
-                idx += 2; // skip 2 content bytes
-                return get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx);
-            }
-
-            case 0x1a: // Unsigned integer (four-byte uint32_t follows)
-            {
-                idx += 4; // skip 4 content bytes
-                return get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx);
-            }
-
-            case 0x1b: // Unsigned integer (eight-byte uint64_t follows)
-            {
-                idx += 8; // skip 8 content bytes
-                return get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx);
-            }
-
-            // Negative integer -1-0x00..-1-0x17 (-1..-24)
-            case 0x20:
-            case 0x21:
-            case 0x22:
-            case 0x23:
-            case 0x24:
-            case 0x25:
-            case 0x26:
-            case 0x27:
-            case 0x28:
-            case 0x29:
-            case 0x2a:
-            case 0x2b:
-            case 0x2c:
-            case 0x2d:
-            case 0x2e:
-            case 0x2f:
-            case 0x30:
-            case 0x31:
-            case 0x32:
-            case 0x33:
-            case 0x34:
-            case 0x35:
-            case 0x36:
-            case 0x37:
-            {
-                return static_cast<int8_t>(0x20 - 1 - v[current_idx]);
-            }
-
-            case 0x38: // Negative integer (one-byte uint8_t follows)
-            {
-                idx += 1; // skip content byte
-                // must be uint8_t !
-                return static_cast<number_integer_t>(-1) - get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx);
-            }
-
-            case 0x39: // Negative integer -1-n (two-byte uint16_t follows)
-            {
-                idx += 2; // skip 2 content bytes
-                return static_cast<number_integer_t>(-1) - get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx);
-            }
-
-            case 0x3a: // Negative integer -1-n (four-byte uint32_t follows)
-            {
-                idx += 4; // skip 4 content bytes
-                return static_cast<number_integer_t>(-1) - get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx);
-            }
-
-            case 0x3b: // Negative integer -1-n (eight-byte uint64_t follows)
-            {
-                idx += 8; // skip 8 content bytes
-                return static_cast<number_integer_t>(-1) - static_cast<number_integer_t>(get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx));
-            }
-
-            // UTF-8 string (0x00..0x17 bytes follow)
-            case 0x60:
-            case 0x61:
-            case 0x62:
-            case 0x63:
-            case 0x64:
-            case 0x65:
-            case 0x66:
-            case 0x67:
-            case 0x68:
-            case 0x69:
-            case 0x6a:
-            case 0x6b:
-            case 0x6c:
-            case 0x6d:
-            case 0x6e:
-            case 0x6f:
-            case 0x70:
-            case 0x71:
-            case 0x72:
-            case 0x73:
-            case 0x74:
-            case 0x75:
-            case 0x76:
-            case 0x77:
-            {
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(v[current_idx] - 0x60);
-                const size_t offset = current_idx + 1;
-                idx += len; // skip content bytes
-                check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-            }
-
-            case 0x78: // UTF-8 string (one-byte uint8_t for n follows)
-            {
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx));
-                const size_t offset = current_idx + 2;
-                idx += len + 1; // skip size byte + content bytes
-                check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-            }
-
-            case 0x79: // UTF-8 string (two-byte uint16_t for n follow)
-            {
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
-                const size_t offset = current_idx + 3;
-                idx += len + 2; // skip 2 size bytes + content bytes
-                check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-            }
-
-            case 0x7a: // UTF-8 string (four-byte uint32_t for n follow)
-            {
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
-                const size_t offset = current_idx + 5;
-                idx += len + 4; // skip 4 size bytes + content bytes
-                check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-            }
-
-            case 0x7b: // UTF-8 string (eight-byte uint64_t for n follow)
-            {
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx));
-                const size_t offset = current_idx + 9;
-                idx += len + 8; // skip 8 size bytes + content bytes
-                check_length(v.size(), len, offset);
-                return std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(v.data()) + offset, len);
-            }
-
-            case 0x7f: // UTF-8 string (indefinite length)
-            {
-                std::string result;
-                while (v.at(idx) != 0xff)
-                {
-                    string_t s = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                    result += s;
-                }
-                // skip break byte (0xFF)
-                idx += 1;
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            // array (0x00..0x17 data items follow)
-            case 0x80:
-            case 0x81:
-            case 0x82:
-            case 0x83:
-            case 0x84:
-            case 0x85:
-            case 0x86:
-            case 0x87:
-            case 0x88:
-            case 0x89:
-            case 0x8a:
-            case 0x8b:
-            case 0x8c:
-            case 0x8d:
-            case 0x8e:
-            case 0x8f:
-            case 0x90:
-            case 0x91:
-            case 0x92:
-            case 0x93:
-            case 0x94:
-            case 0x95:
-            case 0x96:
-            case 0x97:
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(v[current_idx] - 0x80);
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0x98: // array (one-byte uint8_t for n follows)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx));
-                idx += 1; // skip 1 size byte
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0x99: // array (two-byte uint16_t for n follow)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
-                idx += 2; // skip 4 size bytes
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0x9a: // array (four-byte uint32_t for n follow)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
-                idx += 4; // skip 4 size bytes
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0x9b: // array (eight-byte uint64_t for n follow)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx));
-                idx += 8; // skip 8 size bytes
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0x9f: // array (indefinite length)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::array;
-                while (v.at(idx) != 0xff)
-                {
-                    result.push_back(from_cbor_internal(v, idx));
-                }
-                // skip break byte (0xFF)
-                idx += 1;
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            // map (0x00..0x17 pairs of data items follow)
-            case 0xa0:
-            case 0xa1:
-            case 0xa2:
-            case 0xa3:
-            case 0xa4:
-            case 0xa5:
-            case 0xa6:
-            case 0xa7:
-            case 0xa8:
-            case 0xa9:
-            case 0xaa:
-            case 0xab:
-            case 0xac:
-            case 0xad:
-            case 0xae:
-            case 0xaf:
-            case 0xb0:
-            case 0xb1:
-            case 0xb2:
-            case 0xb3:
-            case 0xb4:
-            case 0xb5:
-            case 0xb6:
-            case 0xb7:
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(v[current_idx] - 0xa0);
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                    result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0xb8: // map (one-byte uint8_t for n follows)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint8_t>(v, current_idx));
-                idx += 1; // skip 1 size byte
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                    result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0xb9: // map (two-byte uint16_t for n follow)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint16_t>(v, current_idx));
-                idx += 2; // skip 2 size bytes
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                    result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0xba: // map (four-byte uint32_t for n follow)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint32_t>(v, current_idx));
-                idx += 4; // skip 4 size bytes
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                    result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0xbb: // map (eight-byte uint64_t for n follow)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                const auto len = static_cast<size_t>(get_from_vector<uint64_t>(v, current_idx));
-                idx += 8; // skip 8 size bytes
-                for (size_t i = 0; i < len; ++i)
-                {
-                    std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                    result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                }
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0xbf: // map (indefinite length)
-            {
-                basic_json result = value_t::object;
-                while (v.at(idx) != 0xff)
-                {
-                    std::string key = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                    result[key] = from_cbor_internal(v, idx);
-                }
-                // skip break byte (0xFF)
-                idx += 1;
-                return result;
-            }
-
-            case 0xf4: // false
-            {
-                return false;
-            }
-
-            case 0xf5: // true
-            {
-                return true;
-            }
-
-            case 0xf6: // null
-            {
-                return value_t::null;
-            }
-
-            case 0xf9: // Half-Precision Float (two-byte IEEE 754)
-            {
-                idx += 2; // skip two content bytes
-
-                // code from RFC 7049, Appendix D, Figure 3:
-                // As half-precision floating-point numbers were only added to
-                // IEEE 754 in 2008, today's programming platforms often still
-                // only have limited support for them. It is very easy to
-                // include at least decoding support for them even without such
-                // support. An example of a small decoder for half-precision
-                // floating-point numbers in the C language is shown in Fig. 3.
-                const int half = (v.at(current_idx + 1) << 8) + v.at(current_idx + 2);
-                const int exp = (half >> 10) & 0x1f;
-                const int mant = half & 0x3ff;
-                double val;
-                if (exp == 0)
-                {
-                    val = std::ldexp(mant, -24);
-                }
-                else if (exp != 31)
-                {
-                    val = std::ldexp(mant + 1024, exp - 25);
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    val = mant == 0 ? INFINITY : NAN;
-                }
-                return (half & 0x8000) != 0 ? -val : val;
-            }
-
-            case 0xfa: // Single-Precision Float (four-byte IEEE 754)
-            {
-                // copy bytes in reverse order into the float variable
-                float res;
-                for (size_t byte = 0; byte < sizeof(float); ++byte)
-                {
-                    reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&res)[sizeof(float) - byte - 1] = v.at(current_idx + 1 + byte);
-                }
-                idx += sizeof(float); // skip content bytes
-                return res;
-            }
-
-            case 0xfb: // Double-Precision Float (eight-byte IEEE 754)
-            {
-                // copy bytes in reverse order into the double variable
-                double res;
-                for (size_t byte = 0; byte < sizeof(double); ++byte)
-                {
-                    reinterpret_cast<uint8_t*>(&res)[sizeof(double) - byte - 1] = v.at(current_idx + 1 + byte);
-                }
-                idx += sizeof(double); // skip content bytes
-                return res;
-            }
-
-            default: // anything else (0xFF is handled inside the other types)
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("error parsing a CBOR @ " + std::to_string(current_idx) + ": " + std::to_string(static_cast<int>(v[current_idx]))));
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-  public:
-    /*!
-    @brief create a MessagePack serialization of a given JSON value
-
-    Serializes a given JSON value @a j to a byte vector using the MessagePack
-    serialization format. MessagePack is a binary serialization format which
-    aims to be more compact than JSON itself, yet more efficient to parse.
-
-    @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
-    @return MessagePack serialization as byte vector
-
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value @a j.
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows the serialization of a JSON value to a byte
-    vector in MessagePack format.,to_msgpack}
-
-    @sa http://msgpack.org
-    @sa @ref from_msgpack(const std::vector<uint8_t>&) for the analogous
-        deserialization
-    @sa @ref to_cbor(const basic_json& for the related CBOR format
-    */
-    static std::vector<uint8_t> to_msgpack(const basic_json& j)
-    {
-        std::vector<uint8_t> result;
-        to_msgpack_internal(j, result);
-        return result;
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief create a JSON value from a byte vector in MessagePack format
-
-    Deserializes a given byte vector @a v to a JSON value using the MessagePack
-    serialization format.
-
-    @param[in] v  a byte vector in MessagePack format
-    @return deserialized JSON value
-
-    @throw std::invalid_argument if unsupported features from MessagePack were
-    used in the given vector @a v or if the input is not valid MessagePack
-    @throw std::out_of_range if the given vector ends prematurely
-
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the byte vector @a v.
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows the deserialization of a byte vector in
-    MessagePack format to a JSON value.,from_msgpack}
-
-    @sa http://msgpack.org
-    @sa @ref to_msgpack(const basic_json&) for the analogous serialization
-    @sa @ref from_cbor(const std::vector<uint8_t>&) for the related CBOR format
-    */
-    static basic_json from_msgpack(const std::vector<uint8_t>& v)
-    {
-        size_t i = 0;
-        return from_msgpack_internal(v, i);
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief create a MessagePack serialization of a given JSON value
-
-    Serializes a given JSON value @a j to a byte vector using the CBOR (Concise
-    Binary Object Representation) serialization format. CBOR is a binary
-    serialization format which aims to be more compact than JSON itself, yet
-    more efficient to parse.
-
-    @param[in] j  JSON value to serialize
-    @return MessagePack serialization as byte vector
-
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value @a j.
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows the serialization of a JSON value to a byte
-    vector in CBOR format.,to_cbor}
-
-    @sa http://cbor.io
-    @sa @ref from_cbor(const std::vector<uint8_t>&) for the analogous
-        deserialization
-    @sa @ref to_msgpack(const basic_json& for the related MessagePack format
-    */
-    static std::vector<uint8_t> to_cbor(const basic_json& j)
-    {
-        std::vector<uint8_t> result;
-        to_cbor_internal(j, result);
-        return result;
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief create a JSON value from a byte vector in CBOR format
-
-    Deserializes a given byte vector @a v to a JSON value using the CBOR
-    (Concise Binary Object Representation) serialization format.
-
-    @param[in] v  a byte vector in CBOR format
-    @return deserialized JSON value
-
-    @throw std::invalid_argument if unsupported features from CBOR were used in
-    the given vector @a v or if the input is not valid MessagePack
-    @throw std::out_of_range if the given vector ends prematurely
-
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the byte vector @a v.
-
-    @liveexample{The example shows the deserialization of a byte vector in CBOR
-    format to a JSON value.,from_cbor}
-
-    @sa http://cbor.io
-    @sa @ref to_cbor(const basic_json&) for the analogous serialization
-    @sa @ref from_msgpack(const std::vector<uint8_t>&) for the related
-        MessagePack format
-    */
-    static basic_json from_cbor(const std::vector<uint8_t>& v)
-    {
-        size_t i = 0;
-        return from_cbor_internal(v, i);
-    }
-
-    /// @}
-
-  private:
-    ///////////////////////////
-    // convenience functions //
-    ///////////////////////////
-
-    /*!
-    @brief return the type as string
-
-    Returns the type name as string to be used in error messages - usually to
-    indicate that a function was called on a wrong JSON type.
-
-    @return basically a string representation of a the @a m_type member
-
-    @complexity Constant.
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    std::string type_name() const
-    {
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::null:
-                return "null";
-            case value_t::object:
-                return "object";
-            case value_t::array:
-                return "array";
-            case value_t::string:
-                return "string";
-            case value_t::boolean:
-                return "boolean";
-            case value_t::discarded:
-                return "discarded";
-            default:
-                return "number";
-        }
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief calculates the extra space to escape a JSON string
-
-    @param[in] s  the string to escape
-    @return the number of characters required to escape string @a s
-
-    @complexity Linear in the length of string @a s.
-    */
-    static std::size_t extra_space(const string_t& s) noexcept
-    {
-        return std::accumulate(s.begin(), s.end(), size_t{},
-                               [](size_t res, typename string_t::value_type c)
-        {
-            switch (c)
-            {
-                case '"':
-                case '\\':
-                case '\b':
-                case '\f':
-                case '\n':
-                case '\r':
-                case '\t':
-                {
-                    // from c (1 byte) to \x (2 bytes)
-                    return res + 1;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    if (c >= 0x00 and c <= 0x1f)
-                    {
-                        // from c (1 byte) to \uxxxx (6 bytes)
-                        return res + 5;
-                    }
-
-                    return res;
-                }
-            }
-        });
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief escape a string
-
-    Escape a string by replacing certain special characters by a sequence of
-    an escape character (backslash) and another character and other control
-    characters by a sequence of "\u" followed by a four-digit hex
-    representation.
-
-    @param[in] s  the string to escape
-    @return  the escaped string
-
-    @complexity Linear in the length of string @a s.
-    */
-    static string_t escape_string(const string_t& s)
-    {
-        const auto space = extra_space(s);
-        if (space == 0)
-        {
-            return s;
-        }
-
-        // create a result string of necessary size
-        string_t result(s.size() + space, '\\');
-        std::size_t pos = 0;
-
-        for (const auto& c : s)
-        {
-            switch (c)
-            {
-                // quotation mark (0x22)
-                case '"':
-                {
-                    result[pos + 1] = '"';
-                    pos += 2;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                // reverse solidus (0x5c)
-                case '\\':
-                {
-                    // nothing to change
-                    pos += 2;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                // backspace (0x08)
-                case '\b':
-                {
-                    result[pos + 1] = 'b';
-                    pos += 2;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                // formfeed (0x0c)
-                case '\f':
-                {
-                    result[pos + 1] = 'f';
-                    pos += 2;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                // newline (0x0a)
-                case '\n':
-                {
-                    result[pos + 1] = 'n';
-                    pos += 2;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                // carriage return (0x0d)
-                case '\r':
-                {
-                    result[pos + 1] = 'r';
-                    pos += 2;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                // horizontal tab (0x09)
-                case '\t':
-                {
-                    result[pos + 1] = 't';
-                    pos += 2;
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    if (c >= 0x00 and c <= 0x1f)
-                    {
-                        // convert a number 0..15 to its hex representation
-                        // (0..f)
-                        static const char hexify[16] =
-                        {
-                            '0', '1', '2', '3', '4', '5', '6', '7',
-                            '8', '9', 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f'
-                        };
-
-                        // print character c as \uxxxx
-                        for (const char m :
-                    { 'u', '0', '0', hexify[c >> 4], hexify[c & 0x0f]
-                        })
-                        {
-                            result[++pos] = m;
-                        }
-
-                        ++pos;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        // all other characters are added as-is
-                        result[pos++] = c;
-                    }
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        return result;
-    }
-
-    /*!
-    @brief internal implementation of the serialization function
-
-    This function is called by the public member function dump and organizes
-    the serialization internally. The indentation level is propagated as
-    additional parameter. In case of arrays and objects, the function is
-    called recursively. Note that
-
-    - strings and object keys are escaped using `escape_string()`
-    - integer numbers are converted implicitly via `operator<<`
-    - floating-point numbers are converted to a string using `"%g"` format
-
-    @param[out] o              stream to write to
-    @param[in] pretty_print    whether the output shall be pretty-printed
-    @param[in] indent_step     the indent level
-    @param[in] current_indent  the current indent level (only used internally)
-    */
-    void dump(std::ostream& o,
-              const bool pretty_print,
-              const unsigned int indent_step,
-              const unsigned int current_indent = 0) const
-    {
-        // variable to hold indentation for recursive calls
-        unsigned int new_indent = current_indent;
-
-        switch (m_type)
-        {
-            case value_t::object:
-            {
-                if (m_value.object->empty())
-                {
-                    o << "{}";
-                    return;
-                }
-
-                o << "{";
-
-                // increase indentation
-                if (pretty_print)
-                {
-                    new_indent += indent_step;
-                    o << "\n";
-                }
-
-                for (auto i = m_value.object->cbegin(); i != m_value.object->cend(); ++i)
-                {
-                    if (i != m_value.object->cbegin())
-                    {
-                        o << (pretty_print ? ",\n" : ",");
-                    }
-                    o << string_t(new_indent, ' ') << "\""
-                      << escape_string(i->first) << "\":"
-                      << (pretty_print ? " " : "");
-                    i->second.dump(o, pretty_print, indent_step, new_indent);
-                }
-
-                // decrease indentation
-                if (pretty_print)
-                {
-                    new_indent -= indent_step;
-                    o << "\n";
-                }
-
-                o << string_t(new_indent, ' ') + "}";
-                return;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::array:
-            {
-                if (m_value.array->empty())
-                {
-                    o << "[]";
-                    return;
-                }
-
-                o << "[";
-
-                // increase indentation
-                if (pretty_print)
-                {
-                    new_indent += indent_step;
-                    o << "\n";
-                }
-
-                for (auto i = m_value.array->cbegin(); i != m_value.array->cend(); ++i)
-                {
-                    if (i != m_value.array->cbegin())
-                    {
-                        o << (pretty_print ? ",\n" : ",");
-                    }
-                    o << string_t(new_indent, ' ');
-                    i->dump(o, pretty_print, indent_step, new_indent);
-                }
-
-                // decrease indentation
-                if (pretty_print)
-                {
-                    new_indent -= indent_step;
-                    o << "\n";
-                }
-
-                o << string_t(new_indent, ' ') << "]";
-                return;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::string:
-            {
-                o << string_t("\"") << escape_string(*m_value.string) << "\"";
-                return;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::boolean:
-            {
-                o << (m_value.boolean ? "true" : "false");
-                return;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_integer:
-            {
-                o << m_value.number_integer;
-                return;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_unsigned:
-            {
-                o << m_value.number_unsigned;
-                return;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::number_float:
-            {
-                if (m_value.number_float == 0)
-                {
-                    // special case for zero to get "0.0"/"-0.0"
-                    o << (std::signbit(m_value.number_float) ? "-0.0" : "0.0");
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    o << m_value.number_float;
-                }
-                return;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::discarded:
-            {
-                o << "<discarded>";
-                return;
-            }
-
-            case value_t::null:
-            {
-                o << "null";
-                return;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-  private:
-    //////////////////////
-    // member variables //
-    //////////////////////
-
-    /// the type of the current element
-    value_t m_type = value_t::null;
-
-    /// the value of the current element
-    json_value m_value = {};
-
-
-  private:
-    ///////////////
-    // iterators //
-    ///////////////
-
-    /*!
-    @brief an iterator for primitive JSON types
-
-    This class models an iterator for primitive JSON types (boolean, number,
-    string). It's only purpose is to allow the iterator/const_iterator classes
-    to "iterate" over primitive values. Internally, the iterator is modeled by
-    a `difference_type` variable. Value begin_value (`0`) models the begin,
-    end_value (`1`) models past the end.
-    */
-    class primitive_iterator_t
-    {
-      public:
-        /// set iterator to a defined beginning
-        void set_begin() noexcept
-        {
-            m_it = begin_value;
-        }
-
-        /// set iterator to a defined past the end
-        void set_end() noexcept
-        {
-            m_it = end_value;
-        }
-
-        /// return whether the iterator can be dereferenced
-        constexpr bool is_begin() const noexcept
-        {
-            return (m_it == begin_value);
-        }
-
-        /// return whether the iterator is at end
-        constexpr bool is_end() const noexcept
-        {
-            return (m_it == end_value);
-        }
-
-        /// return reference to the value to change and compare
-        operator difference_type& () noexcept
-        {
-            return m_it;
-        }
-
-        /// return value to compare
-        constexpr operator difference_type () const noexcept
-        {
-            return m_it;
-        }
-
-      private:
-        static constexpr difference_type begin_value = 0;
-        static constexpr difference_type end_value = begin_value + 1;
-
-        /// iterator as signed integer type
-        difference_type m_it = std::numeric_limits<std::ptrdiff_t>::denorm_min();
-    };
-
-    /*!
-    @brief an iterator value
-
-    @note This structure could easily be a union, but MSVC currently does not
-    allow unions members with complex constructors, see
-    https://github.com/nlohmann/json/pull/105.
-    */
-    struct internal_iterator
-    {
-        /// iterator for JSON objects
-        typename object_t::iterator object_iterator;
-        /// iterator for JSON arrays
-        typename array_t::iterator array_iterator;
-        /// generic iterator for all other types
-        primitive_iterator_t primitive_iterator;
-
-        /// create an uninitialized internal_iterator
-        internal_iterator() noexcept
-            : object_iterator(), array_iterator(), primitive_iterator()
-        {}
-    };
-
-    /// proxy class for the iterator_wrapper functions
-    template<typename IteratorType>
-    class iteration_proxy
-    {
-      private:
-        /// helper class for iteration
-        class iteration_proxy_internal
-        {
-          private:
-            /// the iterator
-            IteratorType anchor;
-            /// an index for arrays (used to create key names)
-            size_t array_index = 0;
-
-          public:
-            explicit iteration_proxy_internal(IteratorType it) noexcept
-                : anchor(it)
-            {}
-
-            /// dereference operator (needed for range-based for)
-            iteration_proxy_internal& operator*()
-            {
-                return *this;
-            }
-
-            /// increment operator (needed for range-based for)
-            iteration_proxy_internal& operator++()
-            {
-                ++anchor;
-                ++array_index;
-
-                return *this;
-            }
-
-            /// inequality operator (needed for range-based for)
-            bool operator!= (const iteration_proxy_internal& o) const
-            {
-                return anchor != o.anchor;
-            }
-
-            /// return key of the iterator
-            typename basic_json::string_t key() const
-            {
-                assert(anchor.m_object != nullptr);
-
-                switch (anchor.m_object->type())
-                {
-                    // use integer array index as key
-                    case value_t::array:
-                    {
-                        return std::to_string(array_index);
-                    }
-
-                    // use key from the object
-                    case value_t::object:
-                    {
-                        return anchor.key();
-                    }
-
-                    // use an empty key for all primitive types
-                    default:
-                    {
-                        return "";
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-
-            /// return value of the iterator
-            typename IteratorType::reference value() const
-            {
-                return anchor.value();
-            }
-        };
-
-        /// the container to iterate
-        typename IteratorType::reference container;
-
-      public:
-        /// construct iteration proxy from a container
-        explicit iteration_proxy(typename IteratorType::reference cont)
-            : container(cont)
-        {}
-
-        /// return iterator begin (needed for range-based for)
-        iteration_proxy_internal begin() noexcept
-        {
-            return iteration_proxy_internal(container.begin());
-        }
-
-        /// return iterator end (needed for range-based for)
-        iteration_proxy_internal end() noexcept
-        {
-            return iteration_proxy_internal(container.end());
-        }
-    };
-
-  public:
-    /*!
-    @brief a template for a random access iterator for the @ref basic_json class
-
-    This class implements a both iterators (iterator and const_iterator) for the
-    @ref basic_json class.
-
-    @note An iterator is called *initialized* when a pointer to a JSON value
-          has been set (e.g., by a constructor or a copy assignment). If the
-          iterator is default-constructed, it is *uninitialized* and most
-          methods are undefined. **The library uses assertions to detect calls
-          on uninitialized iterators.**
-
-    @requirement The class satisfies the following concept requirements:
-    - [RandomAccessIterator](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/RandomAccessIterator):
-      The iterator that can be moved to point (forward and backward) to any
-      element in constant time.
-
-    @since version 1.0.0, simplified in version 2.0.9
-    */
-    template<typename U>
-    class iter_impl : public std::iterator<std::random_access_iterator_tag, U>
-    {
-        /// allow basic_json to access private members
-        friend class basic_json;
-
-        // make sure U is basic_json or const basic_json
-        static_assert(std::is_same<U, basic_json>::value
-                      or std::is_same<U, const basic_json>::value,
-                      "iter_impl only accepts (const) basic_json");
-
-      public:
-        /// the type of the values when the iterator is dereferenced
-        using value_type = typename basic_json::value_type;
-        /// a type to represent differences between iterators
-        using difference_type = typename basic_json::difference_type;
-        /// defines a pointer to the type iterated over (value_type)
-        using pointer = typename std::conditional<std::is_const<U>::value,
-              typename basic_json::const_pointer,
-              typename basic_json::pointer>::type;
-        /// defines a reference to the type iterated over (value_type)
-        using reference = typename std::conditional<std::is_const<U>::value,
-              typename basic_json::const_reference,
-              typename basic_json::reference>::type;
-        /// the category of the iterator
-        using iterator_category = std::bidirectional_iterator_tag;
-
-        /// default constructor
-        iter_impl() = default;
-
-        /*!
-        @brief constructor for a given JSON instance
-        @param[in] object  pointer to a JSON object for this iterator
-        @pre object != nullptr
-        @post The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        explicit iter_impl(pointer object) noexcept
-            : m_object(object)
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    m_it.object_iterator = typename object_t::iterator();
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    m_it.array_iterator = typename array_t::iterator();
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    m_it.primitive_iterator = primitive_iterator_t();
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        /*
-        Use operator `const_iterator` instead of `const_iterator(const iterator&
-        other) noexcept` to avoid two class definitions for @ref iterator and
-        @ref const_iterator.
-
-        This function is only called if this class is an @ref iterator. If this
-        class is a @ref const_iterator this function is not called.
-        */
-        operator const_iterator() const
-        {
-            const_iterator ret;
-
-            if (m_object)
-            {
-                ret.m_object = m_object;
-                ret.m_it = m_it;
-            }
-
-            return ret;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief copy constructor
-        @param[in] other  iterator to copy from
-        @note It is not checked whether @a other is initialized.
-        */
-        iter_impl(const iter_impl& other) noexcept
-            : m_object(other.m_object), m_it(other.m_it)
-        {}
-
-        /*!
-        @brief copy assignment
-        @param[in,out] other  iterator to copy from
-        @note It is not checked whether @a other is initialized.
-        */
-        iter_impl& operator=(iter_impl other) noexcept(
-            std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<pointer>::value and
-            std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<pointer>::value and
-            std::is_nothrow_move_constructible<internal_iterator>::value and
-            std::is_nothrow_move_assignable<internal_iterator>::value
-        )
-        {
-            std::swap(m_object, other.m_object);
-            std::swap(m_it, other.m_it);
-            return *this;
-        }
-
-      private:
-        /*!
-        @brief set the iterator to the first value
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        void set_begin() noexcept
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    m_it.object_iterator = m_object->m_value.object->begin();
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    m_it.array_iterator = m_object->m_value.array->begin();
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::null:
-                {
-                    // set to end so begin()==end() is true: null is empty
-                    m_it.primitive_iterator.set_end();
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    m_it.primitive_iterator.set_begin();
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief set the iterator past the last value
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        void set_end() noexcept
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    m_it.object_iterator = m_object->m_value.object->end();
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    m_it.array_iterator = m_object->m_value.array->end();
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    m_it.primitive_iterator.set_end();
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-      public:
-        /*!
-        @brief return a reference to the value pointed to by the iterator
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        reference operator*() const
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    assert(m_it.object_iterator != m_object->m_value.object->end());
-                    return m_it.object_iterator->second;
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    assert(m_it.array_iterator != m_object->m_value.array->end());
-                    return *m_it.array_iterator;
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::null:
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    if (m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin())
-                    {
-                        return *m_object;
-                    }
-
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief dereference the iterator
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        pointer operator->() const
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    assert(m_it.object_iterator != m_object->m_value.object->end());
-                    return &(m_it.object_iterator->second);
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    assert(m_it.array_iterator != m_object->m_value.array->end());
-                    return &*m_it.array_iterator;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    if (m_it.primitive_iterator.is_begin())
-                    {
-                        return m_object;
-                    }
-
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief post-increment (it++)
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        iter_impl operator++(int)
-        {
-            auto result = *this;
-            ++(*this);
-            return result;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief pre-increment (++it)
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        iter_impl& operator++()
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    std::advance(m_it.object_iterator, 1);
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    std::advance(m_it.array_iterator, 1);
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    ++m_it.primitive_iterator;
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-
-            return *this;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief post-decrement (it--)
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        iter_impl operator--(int)
-        {
-            auto result = *this;
-            --(*this);
-            return result;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief pre-decrement (--it)
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        iter_impl& operator--()
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    std::advance(m_it.object_iterator, -1);
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    std::advance(m_it.array_iterator, -1);
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    --m_it.primitive_iterator;
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-
-            return *this;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  comparison: equal
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        bool operator==(const iter_impl& other) const
-        {
-            // if objects are not the same, the comparison is undefined
-            if (m_object != other.m_object)
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot compare iterators of different containers"));
-            }
-
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    return (m_it.object_iterator == other.m_it.object_iterator);
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    return (m_it.array_iterator == other.m_it.array_iterator);
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    return (m_it.primitive_iterator == other.m_it.primitive_iterator);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  comparison: not equal
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        bool operator!=(const iter_impl& other) const
-        {
-            return not operator==(other);
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  comparison: smaller
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        bool operator<(const iter_impl& other) const
-        {
-            // if objects are not the same, the comparison is undefined
-            if (m_object != other.m_object)
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot compare iterators of different containers"));
-            }
-
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot compare order of object iterators"));
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    return (m_it.array_iterator < other.m_it.array_iterator);
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    return (m_it.primitive_iterator < other.m_it.primitive_iterator);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  comparison: less than or equal
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        bool operator<=(const iter_impl& other) const
-        {
-            return not other.operator < (*this);
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  comparison: greater than
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        bool operator>(const iter_impl& other) const
-        {
-            return not operator<=(other);
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  comparison: greater than or equal
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        bool operator>=(const iter_impl& other) const
-        {
-            return not operator<(other);
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  add to iterator
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        iter_impl& operator+=(difference_type i)
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use offsets with object iterators"));
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    std::advance(m_it.array_iterator, i);
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    m_it.primitive_iterator += i;
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-
-            return *this;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  subtract from iterator
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        iter_impl& operator-=(difference_type i)
-        {
-            return operator+=(-i);
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  add to iterator
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        iter_impl operator+(difference_type i)
-        {
-            auto result = *this;
-            result += i;
-            return result;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  subtract from iterator
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        iter_impl operator-(difference_type i)
-        {
-            auto result = *this;
-            result -= i;
-            return result;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  return difference
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        difference_type operator-(const iter_impl& other) const
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use offsets with object iterators"));
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    return m_it.array_iterator - other.m_it.array_iterator;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    return m_it.primitive_iterator - other.m_it.primitive_iterator;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  access to successor
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        reference operator[](difference_type n) const
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            switch (m_object->m_type)
-            {
-                case basic_json::value_t::object:
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use operator[] for object iterators"));
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::array:
-                {
-                    return *std::next(m_it.array_iterator, n);
-                }
-
-                case basic_json::value_t::null:
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    if (m_it.primitive_iterator == -n)
-                    {
-                        return *m_object;
-                    }
-
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("cannot get value"));
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  return the key of an object iterator
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        typename object_t::key_type key() const
-        {
-            assert(m_object != nullptr);
-
-            if (m_object->is_object())
-            {
-                return m_it.object_iterator->first;
-            }
-
-            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("cannot use key() for non-object iterators"));
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief  return the value of an iterator
-        @pre The iterator is initialized; i.e. `m_object != nullptr`.
-        */
-        reference value() const
-        {
-            return operator*();
-        }
-
-      private:
-        /// associated JSON instance
-        pointer m_object = nullptr;
-        /// the actual iterator of the associated instance
-        internal_iterator m_it = internal_iterator();
-    };
-
-    /*!
-    @brief a template for a reverse iterator class
-
-    @tparam Base the base iterator type to reverse. Valid types are @ref
-    iterator (to create @ref reverse_iterator) and @ref const_iterator (to
-    create @ref const_reverse_iterator).
-
-    @requirement The class satisfies the following concept requirements:
-    - [RandomAccessIterator](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/RandomAccessIterator):
-      The iterator that can be moved to point (forward and backward) to any
-      element in constant time.
-    - [OutputIterator](http://en.cppreference.com/w/cpp/concept/OutputIterator):
-      It is possible to write to the pointed-to element (only if @a Base is
-      @ref iterator).
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    template<typename Base>
-    class json_reverse_iterator : public std::reverse_iterator<Base>
-    {
-      public:
-        /// shortcut to the reverse iterator adaptor
-        using base_iterator = std::reverse_iterator<Base>;
-        /// the reference type for the pointed-to element
-        using reference = typename Base::reference;
-
-        /// create reverse iterator from iterator
-        json_reverse_iterator(const typename base_iterator::iterator_type& it) noexcept
-            : base_iterator(it)
-        {}
-
-        /// create reverse iterator from base class
-        json_reverse_iterator(const base_iterator& it) noexcept
-            : base_iterator(it)
-        {}
-
-        /// post-increment (it++)
-        json_reverse_iterator operator++(int)
-        {
-            return base_iterator::operator++(1);
-        }
-
-        /// pre-increment (++it)
-        json_reverse_iterator& operator++()
-        {
-            base_iterator::operator++();
-            return *this;
-        }
-
-        /// post-decrement (it--)
-        json_reverse_iterator operator--(int)
-        {
-            return base_iterator::operator--(1);
-        }
-
-        /// pre-decrement (--it)
-        json_reverse_iterator& operator--()
-        {
-            base_iterator::operator--();
-            return *this;
-        }
-
-        /// add to iterator
-        json_reverse_iterator& operator+=(difference_type i)
-        {
-            base_iterator::operator+=(i);
-            return *this;
-        }
-
-        /// add to iterator
-        json_reverse_iterator operator+(difference_type i) const
-        {
-            auto result = *this;
-            result += i;
-            return result;
-        }
-
-        /// subtract from iterator
-        json_reverse_iterator operator-(difference_type i) const
-        {
-            auto result = *this;
-            result -= i;
-            return result;
-        }
-
-        /// return difference
-        difference_type operator-(const json_reverse_iterator& other) const
-        {
-            return this->base() - other.base();
-        }
-
-        /// access to successor
-        reference operator[](difference_type n) const
-        {
-            return *(this->operator+(n));
-        }
-
-        /// return the key of an object iterator
-        typename object_t::key_type key() const
-        {
-            auto it = --this->base();
-            return it.key();
-        }
-
-        /// return the value of an iterator
-        reference value() const
-        {
-            auto it = --this->base();
-            return it.operator * ();
-        }
-    };
-
-
-  private:
-    //////////////////////
-    // lexer and parser //
-    //////////////////////
-
-    /*!
-    @brief lexical analysis
-
-    This class organizes the lexical analysis during JSON deserialization. The
-    core of it is a scanner generated by [re2c](http://re2c.org) that
-    processes a buffer and recognizes tokens according to RFC 7159.
-    */
-    class lexer
-    {
-      public:
-        /// token types for the parser
-        enum class token_type
-        {
-            uninitialized,   ///< indicating the scanner is uninitialized
-            literal_true,    ///< the `true` literal
-            literal_false,   ///< the `false` literal
-            literal_null,    ///< the `null` literal
-            value_string,    ///< a string -- use get_string() for actual value
-            value_number,    ///< a number -- use get_number() for actual value
-            begin_array,     ///< the character for array begin `[`
-            begin_object,    ///< the character for object begin `{`
-            end_array,       ///< the character for array end `]`
-            end_object,      ///< the character for object end `}`
-            name_separator,  ///< the name separator `:`
-            value_separator, ///< the value separator `,`
-            parse_error,     ///< indicating a parse error
-            end_of_input     ///< indicating the end of the input buffer
-        };
-
-        /// the char type to use in the lexer
-        using lexer_char_t = unsigned char;
-
-        /// a lexer from a buffer with given length
-        lexer(const lexer_char_t* buff, const size_t len) noexcept
-            : m_content(buff)
-        {
-            assert(m_content != nullptr);
-            m_start = m_cursor = m_content;
-            m_limit = m_content + len;
-        }
-
-        /// a lexer from an input stream
-        explicit lexer(std::istream& s)
-            : m_stream(&s), m_line_buffer()
-        {
-            // immediately abort if stream is erroneous
-            if (s.fail())
+            else
             {
-                JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("stream error"));
+              if (yych <= 'z')
+              {
+                if (yych == 't')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_25;
+                }
+                goto basic_json_parser_4;
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                if (yych <= '{')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_26;
+                }
+                if (yych == '}')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_28;
+                }
+                goto basic_json_parser_4;
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_2:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::end_of_input;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_4:
+          ++m_cursor;
+        basic_json_parser_5:
+        {
+          last_token_type = token_type::parse_error;
+          break;
+        }
+        basic_json_parser_6:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yybm[0 + yych] & 32)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_6;
+          }
+          {
+            continue;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_9:
+          yyaccept = 0;
+          yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
+          if (yych <= 0x1F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_5;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0x7F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_31;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0xC1)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_5;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0xF4)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_31;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_5;
+        basic_json_parser_10:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::value_separator;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_12:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= '/')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_5;
+          }
+          if (yych <= '0')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_13;
+          }
+          if (yych <= '9')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_15;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_5;
+        basic_json_parser_13:
+          yyaccept = 1;
+          yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
+          if (yych <= 'D')
+          {
+            if (yych == '.')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_43;
+            }
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'E')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_44;
+            }
+            if (yych == 'e')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_44;
+            }
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_14:
+        {
+          last_token_type = token_type::value_number;
+          break;
+        }
+        basic_json_parser_15:
+          yyaccept = 1;
+          m_marker = ++m_cursor;
+          if ((m_limit - m_cursor) < 3)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(3); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yybm[0 + yych] & 64)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_15;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 'D')
+          {
+            if (yych == '.')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_43;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_14;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'E')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_44;
+            }
+            if (yych == 'e')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_44;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_14;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_17:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::name_separator;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_19:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::begin_array;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_21:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::end_array;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_23:
+          yyaccept = 0;
+          yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
+          if (yych == 'a')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_45;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_5;
+        basic_json_parser_24:
+          yyaccept = 0;
+          yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
+          if (yych == 'u')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_46;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_5;
+        basic_json_parser_25:
+          yyaccept = 0;
+          yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
+          if (yych == 'r')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_47;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_5;
+        basic_json_parser_26:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::begin_object;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_28:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::end_object;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_30:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+        basic_json_parser_31:
+          if (yybm[0 + yych] & 128)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_30;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0xE0)
+          {
+            if (yych <= '\\')
+            {
+              if (yych <= 0x1F)
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_32;
+              }
+              if (yych <= '"')
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_33;
+              }
+              goto basic_json_parser_35;
             }
-
-            // fill buffer
-            fill_line_buffer();
-
-            // skip UTF-8 byte-order mark
-            if (m_line_buffer.size() >= 3 and m_line_buffer.substr(0, 3) == "\xEF\xBB\xBF")
+            else
             {
-                m_line_buffer[0] = ' ';
-                m_line_buffer[1] = ' ';
-                m_line_buffer[2] = ' ';
+              if (yych <= 0xC1)
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_32;
+              }
+              if (yych <= 0xDF)
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_36;
+              }
+              goto basic_json_parser_37;
+            }
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 0xEF)
+            {
+              if (yych == 0xED)
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_39;
+              }
+              goto basic_json_parser_38;
             }
-        }
+            else
+            {
+              if (yych <= 0xF0)
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_40;
+              }
+              if (yych <= 0xF3)
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_41;
+              }
+              if (yych <= 0xF4)
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_42;
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_32:
+          m_cursor = m_marker;
+          if (yyaccept == 0)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_5;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_14;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_33:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::value_string;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_35:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 'e')
+          {
+            if (yych <= '/')
+            {
+              if (yych == '"')
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_30;
+              }
+              if (yych <= '.')
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_32;
+              }
+              goto basic_json_parser_30;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+              if (yych <= '\\')
+              {
+                if (yych <= '[')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_32;
+                }
+                goto basic_json_parser_30;
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                if (yych == 'b')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_30;
+                }
+                goto basic_json_parser_32;
+              }
+            }
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'q')
+            {
+              if (yych <= 'f')
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_30;
+              }
+              if (yych == 'n')
+              {
+                goto basic_json_parser_30;
+              }
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            else
+            {
+              if (yych <= 's')
+              {
+                if (yych <= 'r')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_30;
+                }
+                goto basic_json_parser_32;
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                if (yych <= 't')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_30;
+                }
+                if (yych <= 'u')
+                {
+                  goto basic_json_parser_48;
+                }
+                goto basic_json_parser_32;
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_36:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 0x7F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0xBF)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_30;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_37:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 0x9F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0xBF)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_36;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_38:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 0x7F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0xBF)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_36;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_39:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 0x7F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0x9F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_36;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_40:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 0x8F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0xBF)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_38;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_41:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 0x7F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0xBF)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_38;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_42:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 0x7F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych <= 0x8F)
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_38;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_43:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= '/')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych <= '9')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_49;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_44:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= ',')
+          {
+            if (yych == '+')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_51;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= '-')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_51;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '/')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '9')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_52;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_45:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych == 'l')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_54;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_46:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych == 'l')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_55;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_47:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych == 'u')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_56;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_48:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= '@')
+          {
+            if (yych <= '/')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '9')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_57;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'F')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_57;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '`')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= 'f')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_57;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_49:
+          yyaccept = 1;
+          m_marker = ++m_cursor;
+          if ((m_limit - m_cursor) < 3)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(3); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= 'D')
+          {
+            if (yych <= '/')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_14;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '9')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_49;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_14;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'E')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_44;
+            }
+            if (yych == 'e')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_44;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_14;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_51:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= '/')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          if (yych >= ':')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_52:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= '/')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_14;
+          }
+          if (yych <= '9')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_52;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_14;
+        basic_json_parser_54:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych == 's')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_58;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_55:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych == 'l')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_59;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_56:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych == 'e')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_61;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_57:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= '@')
+          {
+            if (yych <= '/')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '9')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_63;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'F')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_63;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '`')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= 'f')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_63;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_58:
+          yych = *++m_cursor;
+          if (yych == 'e')
+          {
+            goto basic_json_parser_64;
+          }
+          goto basic_json_parser_32;
+        basic_json_parser_59:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::literal_null;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_61:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::literal_true;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_63:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= '@')
+          {
+            if (yych <= '/')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '9')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_66;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'F')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_66;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '`')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= 'f')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_66;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_64:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          {
+            last_token_type = token_type::literal_false;
+            break;
+          }
+        basic_json_parser_66:
+          ++m_cursor;
+          if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
+          {
+            fill_line_buffer(1); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+          yych = *m_cursor;
+          if (yych <= '@')
+          {
+            if (yych <= '/')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '9')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_30;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            if (yych <= 'F')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_30;
+            }
+            if (yych <= '`')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_32;
+            }
+            if (yych <= 'f')
+            {
+              goto basic_json_parser_30;
+            }
+            goto basic_json_parser_32;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      return last_token_type;
+    }
+
+    /*!
+    @brief append data from the stream to the line buffer
+
+    This function is called by the scan() function when the end of the
+    buffer (`m_limit`) is reached and the `m_cursor` pointer cannot be
+    incremented without leaving the limits of the line buffer. Note re2c
+    decides when to call this function.
+
+    If the lexer reads from contiguous storage, there is no trailing null
+    byte. Therefore, this function must make sure to add these padding
+    null bytes.
+
+    If the lexer reads from an input stream, this function reads the next
+    line of the input.
 
-        // switch off unwanted functions (due to pointer members)
-        lexer() = delete;
-        lexer(const lexer&) = delete;
-        lexer operator=(const lexer&) = delete;
+    @pre
+        p p p p p p u u u u u x . . . . . .
+        ^           ^       ^   ^
+        m_content   m_start |   m_limit
+                            m_cursor
 
-        /*!
-        @brief create a string from one or two Unicode code points
+    @post
+        u u u u u x x x x x x x . . . . . .
+        ^       ^               ^
+        |       m_cursor        m_limit
+        m_start
+        m_content
+    */
+    void fill_line_buffer(size_t n = 0)
+    {
+      // if line buffer is used, m_content points to its data
+      assert(m_line_buffer.empty() or
+             m_content ==
+                 reinterpret_cast<const lexer_char_t *>(m_line_buffer.data()));
 
-        There are two cases: (1) @a codepoint1 is in the Basic Multilingual
-        Plane (U+0000 through U+FFFF) and @a codepoint2 is 0, or (2)
-        @a codepoint1 and @a codepoint2 are a UTF-16 surrogate pair to
-        represent a code point above U+FFFF.
+      // if line buffer is used, m_limit is set past the end of its data
+      assert(m_line_buffer.empty() or
+             m_limit == m_content + m_line_buffer.size());
 
-        @param[in] codepoint1  the code point (can be high surrogate)
-        @param[in] codepoint2  the code point (can be low surrogate or 0)
+      // pointer relationships
+      assert(m_content <= m_start);
+      assert(m_start <= m_cursor);
+      assert(m_cursor <= m_limit);
+      assert(m_marker == nullptr or m_marker <= m_limit);
 
-        @return string representation of the code point; the length of the
-        result string is between 1 and 4 characters.
+      // number of processed characters (p)
+      const auto num_processed_chars = static_cast<size_t>(m_start - m_content);
+      // offset for m_marker wrt. to m_start
+      const auto offset_marker = (m_marker == nullptr) ? 0 : m_marker - m_start;
+      // number of unprocessed characters (u)
+      const auto offset_cursor = m_cursor - m_start;
+
+      // no stream is used or end of file is reached
+      if (m_stream == nullptr or m_stream->eof())
+      {
+        // m_start may or may not be pointing into m_line_buffer at
+        // this point. We trust the standand library to do the right
+        // thing. See http://stackoverflow.com/q/28142011/266378
+        m_line_buffer.assign(m_start, m_limit);
 
-        @throw std::out_of_range if code point is > 0x10ffff; example: `"code
-        points above 0x10FFFF are invalid"`
-        @throw std::invalid_argument if the low surrogate is invalid; example:
-        `""missing or wrong low surrogate""`
+        // append n characters to make sure that there is sufficient
+        // space between m_cursor and m_limit
+        m_line_buffer.append(1, '\x00');
+        if (n > 0)
+        {
+          m_line_buffer.append(n - 1, '\x01');
+        }
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        // delete processed characters from line buffer
+        m_line_buffer.erase(0, num_processed_chars);
+        // read next line from input stream
+        m_line_buffer_tmp.clear();
+        std::getline(*m_stream, m_line_buffer_tmp, '\n');
 
-        @complexity Constant.
+        // add line with newline symbol to the line buffer
+        m_line_buffer += m_line_buffer_tmp;
+        m_line_buffer.push_back('\n');
+      }
 
-        @see <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTF-8#Sample_code>
-        */
-        static string_t to_unicode(const std::size_t codepoint1,
-                                   const std::size_t codepoint2 = 0)
+      // set pointers
+      m_content = reinterpret_cast<const lexer_char_t *>(m_line_buffer.data());
+      assert(m_content != nullptr);
+      m_start = m_content;
+      m_marker = m_start + offset_marker;
+      m_cursor = m_start + offset_cursor;
+      m_limit = m_start + m_line_buffer.size();
+    }
+
+    /// return string representation of last read token
+    string_t get_token_string() const
+    {
+      assert(m_start != nullptr);
+      return string_t(
+          reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(m_start),
+          static_cast<size_t>(m_cursor - m_start));
+    }
+
+    /*!
+    @brief return string value for string tokens
+
+    The function iterates the characters between the opening and closing
+    quotes of the string value. The complete string is the range
+    [m_start,m_cursor). Consequently, we iterate from m_start+1 to
+    m_cursor-1.
+
+    We differentiate two cases:
+
+    1. Escaped characters. In this case, a new character is constructed
+       according to the nature of the escape. Some escapes create new
+       characters (e.g., `"\\n"` is replaced by `"\n"`), some are copied
+       as is (e.g., `"\\\\"`). Furthermore, Unicode escapes of the shape
+       `"\\uxxxx"` need special care. In this case, to_unicode takes care
+       of the construction of the values.
+    2. Unescaped characters are copied as is.
+
+    @pre `m_cursor - m_start >= 2`, meaning the length of the last token
+    is at least 2 bytes which is trivially true for any string (which
+    consists of at least two quotes).
+
+        " c1 c2 c3 ... "
+        ^                ^
+        m_start          m_cursor
+
+    @complexity Linear in the length of the string.\n
+
+    Lemma: The loop body will always terminate.\n
+
+    Proof (by contradiction): Assume the loop body does not terminate. As
+    the loop body does not contain another loop, one of the called
+    functions must never return. The called functions are `std::strtoul`
+    and to_unicode. Neither function can loop forever, so the loop body
+    will never loop forever which contradicts the assumption that the loop
+    body does not terminate, q.e.d.\n
+
+    Lemma: The loop condition for the for loop is eventually false.\n
+
+    Proof (by contradiction): Assume the loop does not terminate. Due to
+    the above lemma, this can only be due to a tautological loop
+    condition; that is, the loop condition i < m_cursor - 1 must always be
+    true. Let x be the change of i for any loop iteration. Then
+    m_start + 1 + x < m_cursor - 1 must hold to loop indefinitely. This
+    can be rephrased to m_cursor - m_start - 2 > x. With the
+    precondition, we x <= 0, meaning that the loop condition holds
+    indefinitly if i is always decreased. However, observe that the value
+    of i is strictly increasing with each iteration, as it is incremented
+    by 1 in the iteration expression and never decremented inside the loop
+    body. Hence, the loop condition will eventually be false which
+    contradicts the assumption that the loop condition is a tautology,
+    q.e.d.
+
+    @return string value of current token without opening and closing
+    quotes
+    @throw std::out_of_range if to_unicode fails
+    */
+    string_t get_string() const
+    {
+      assert(m_cursor - m_start >= 2);
+
+      string_t result;
+      result.reserve(static_cast<size_t>(m_cursor - m_start - 2));
+
+      // iterate the result between the quotes
+      for (const lexer_char_t *i = m_start + 1; i < m_cursor - 1; ++i)
+      {
+        // find next escape character
+        auto e = std::find(i, m_cursor - 1, '\\');
+        if (e != i)
+        {
+          // see
+          // https://github.com/nlohmann/json/issues/365#issuecomment-262874705
+          for (auto k = i; k < e; k++)
+          {
+            result.push_back(static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(*k));
+          }
+          i = e - 1; // -1 because of ++i
+        }
+        else
         {
-            // calculate the code point from the given code points
-            std::size_t codepoint = codepoint1;
+          // processing escaped character
+          // read next character
+          ++i;
 
-            // check if codepoint1 is a high surrogate
-            if (codepoint1 >= 0xD800 and codepoint1 <= 0xDBFF)
+          switch (*i)
+          {
+            // the default escapes
+            case 't':
             {
-                // check if codepoint2 is a low surrogate
-                if (codepoint2 >= 0xDC00 and codepoint2 <= 0xDFFF)
-                {
-                    codepoint =
-                        // high surrogate occupies the most significant 22 bits
-                        (codepoint1 << 10)
-                        // low surrogate occupies the least significant 15 bits
-                        + codepoint2
-                        // there is still the 0xD800, 0xDC00 and 0x10000 noise
-                        // in the result so we have to subtract with:
-                        // (0xD800 << 10) + DC00 - 0x10000 = 0x35FDC00
-                        - 0x35FDC00;
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("missing or wrong low surrogate"));
-                }
+              result += "\t";
+              break;
             }
-
-            string_t result;
-
-            if (codepoint < 0x80)
+            case 'b':
             {
-                // 1-byte characters: 0xxxxxxx (ASCII)
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(codepoint));
+              result += "\b";
+              break;
             }
-            else if (codepoint <= 0x7ff)
+            case 'f':
             {
-                // 2-byte characters: 110xxxxx 10xxxxxx
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0xC0 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x1F)));
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F)));
+              result += "\f";
+              break;
             }
-            else if (codepoint <= 0xffff)
+            case 'n':
             {
-                // 3-byte characters: 1110xxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0xE0 | ((codepoint >> 12) & 0x0F)));
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0x80 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x3F)));
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F)));
+              result += "\n";
+              break;
             }
-            else if (codepoint <= 0x10ffff)
+            case 'r':
             {
-                // 4-byte characters: 11110xxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx 10xxxxxx
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0xF0 | ((codepoint >> 18) & 0x07)));
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0x80 | ((codepoint >> 12) & 0x3F)));
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0x80 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x3F)));
-                result.append(1, static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F)));
+              result += "\r";
+              break;
             }
-            else
+            case '\\':
             {
-                JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("code points above 0x10FFFF are invalid"));
+              result += "\\";
+              break;
+            }
+            case '/':
+            {
+              result += "/";
+              break;
+            }
+            case '"':
+            {
+              result += "\"";
+              break;
             }
 
-            return result;
-        }
-
-        /// return name of values of type token_type (only used for errors)
-        static std::string token_type_name(const token_type t)
-        {
-            switch (t)
+            // unicode
+            case 'u':
             {
-                case token_type::uninitialized:
-                    return "<uninitialized>";
-                case token_type::literal_true:
-                    return "true literal";
-                case token_type::literal_false:
-                    return "false literal";
-                case token_type::literal_null:
-                    return "null literal";
-                case token_type::value_string:
-                    return "string literal";
-                case token_type::value_number:
-                    return "number literal";
-                case token_type::begin_array:
-                    return "'['";
-                case token_type::begin_object:
-                    return "'{'";
-                case token_type::end_array:
-                    return "']'";
-                case token_type::end_object:
-                    return "'}'";
-                case token_type::name_separator:
-                    return "':'";
-                case token_type::value_separator:
-                    return "','";
-                case token_type::parse_error:
-                    return "<parse error>";
-                case token_type::end_of_input:
-                    return "end of input";
-                default:
+              // get code xxxx from uxxxx
+              auto codepoint = std::strtoul(
+                  std::string(
+                      reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(i + 1),
+                      4)
+                      .c_str(),
+                  nullptr, 16);
+
+              // check if codepoint is a high surrogate
+              if (codepoint >= 0xD800 and codepoint <= 0xDBFF)
+              {
+                // make sure there is a subsequent unicode
+                if ((i + 6 >= m_limit) or *(i + 5) != '\\' or *(i + 6) != 'u')
                 {
-                    // catch non-enum values
-                    return "unknown token"; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                  JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("missing low surrogate"));
                 }
+
+                // get code yyyy from uxxxx\uyyyy
+                auto codepoint2 = std::strtoul(
+                    std::string(
+                        reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(i +
+                                                                           7),
+                        4)
+                        .c_str(),
+                    nullptr, 16);
+                result += to_unicode(codepoint, codepoint2);
+                // skip the next 10 characters (xxxx\uyyyy)
+                i += 10;
+              }
+              else if (codepoint >= 0xDC00 and codepoint <= 0xDFFF)
+              {
+                // we found a lone low surrogate
+                JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("missing high surrogate"));
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                // add unicode character(s)
+                result += to_unicode(codepoint);
+                // skip the next four characters (xxxx)
+                i += 4;
+              }
+              break;
             }
+          }
         }
+      }
 
-        /*!
-        This function implements a scanner for JSON. It is specified using
-        regular expressions that try to follow RFC 7159 as close as possible.
-        These regular expressions are then translated into a minimized
-        deterministic finite automaton (DFA) by the tool
-        [re2c](http://re2c.org). As a result, the translated code for this
-        function consists of a large block of code with `goto` jumps.
+      return result;
+    }
 
-        @return the class of the next token read from the buffer
+    /*!
+    @brief parse floating point number
 
-        @complexity Linear in the length of the input.\n
+    This function (and its overloads) serves to select the most approprate
+    standard floating point number parsing function based on the type
+    supplied via the first parameter.  Set this to @a
+    static_cast<number_float_t*>(nullptr).
 
-        Proposition: The loop below will always terminate for finite input.\n
+    @param[in,out] endptr recieves a pointer to the first character after
+    the number
 
-        Proof (by contradiction): Assume a finite input. To loop forever, the
-        loop must never hit code with a `break` statement. The only code
-        snippets without a `break` statement are the continue statements for
-        whitespace and byte-order-marks. To loop forever, the input must be an
-        infinite sequence of whitespace or byte-order-marks. This contradicts
-        the assumption of finite input, q.e.d.
-        */
-        token_type scan()
-        {
-            while (true)
-            {
-                // pointer for backtracking information
-                m_marker = nullptr;
+    @return the floating point number
+    */
+    long double str_to_float_t(long double * /* type */, char **endptr) const
+    {
+      return std::strtold(
+          reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(m_start), endptr);
+    }
 
-                // remember the begin of the token
-                m_start = m_cursor;
-                assert(m_start != nullptr);
+    /*!
+    @brief parse floating point number
 
+    This function (and its overloads) serves to select the most approprate
+    standard floating point number parsing function based on the type
+    supplied via the first parameter.  Set this to @a
+    static_cast<number_float_t*>(nullptr).
 
-                {
-                    lexer_char_t yych;
-                    unsigned int yyaccept = 0;
-                    static const unsigned char yybm[] =
-                    {
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,  32,  32,   0,   0,  32,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        160, 128,   0, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        192, 192, 192, 192, 192, 192, 192, 192,
-                        192, 192, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128,   0, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128, 128,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                        0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,   0,
-                    };
-                    if ((m_limit - m_cursor) < 5)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(5);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yybm[0 + yych] & 32)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_6;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= '[')
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '-')
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= '"')
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= 0x00)
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_2;
-                                }
-                                if (yych <= '!')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_4;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_9;
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= '+')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_4;
-                                }
-                                if (yych <= ',')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_10;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_12;
-                            }
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= '9')
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= '/')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_4;
-                                }
-                                if (yych <= '0')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_13;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_15;
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= ':')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_17;
-                                }
-                                if (yych <= 'Z')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_4;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_19;
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'n')
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= 'e')
-                            {
-                                if (yych == ']')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_21;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_4;
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= 'f')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_23;
-                                }
-                                if (yych <= 'm')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_4;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_24;
-                            }
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= 'z')
-                            {
-                                if (yych == 't')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_25;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_4;
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= '{')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_26;
-                                }
-                                if (yych == '}')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_28;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_4;
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_2:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::end_of_input;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_4:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-basic_json_parser_5:
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::parse_error;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_6:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yybm[0 + yych] & 32)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_6;
-                    }
-                    {
-                        continue;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_9:
-                    yyaccept = 0;
-                    yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
-                    if (yych <= 0x1F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_5;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0x7F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_31;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0xC1)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_5;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0xF4)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_31;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_5;
-basic_json_parser_10:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::value_separator;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_12:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= '/')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_5;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= '0')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_13;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= '9')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_15;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_5;
-basic_json_parser_13:
-                    yyaccept = 1;
-                    yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
-                    if (yych <= 'D')
-                    {
-                        if (yych == '.')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_43;
-                        }
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'E')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_44;
-                        }
-                        if (yych == 'e')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_44;
-                        }
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_14:
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::value_number;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_15:
-                    yyaccept = 1;
-                    m_marker = ++m_cursor;
-                    if ((m_limit - m_cursor) < 3)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(3);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yybm[0 + yych] & 64)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_15;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 'D')
-                    {
-                        if (yych == '.')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_43;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_14;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'E')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_44;
-                        }
-                        if (yych == 'e')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_44;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_14;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_17:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::name_separator;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_19:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::begin_array;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_21:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::end_array;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_23:
-                    yyaccept = 0;
-                    yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
-                    if (yych == 'a')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_45;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_5;
-basic_json_parser_24:
-                    yyaccept = 0;
-                    yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
-                    if (yych == 'u')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_46;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_5;
-basic_json_parser_25:
-                    yyaccept = 0;
-                    yych = *(m_marker = ++m_cursor);
-                    if (yych == 'r')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_47;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_5;
-basic_json_parser_26:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::begin_object;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_28:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::end_object;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_30:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-basic_json_parser_31:
-                    if (yybm[0 + yych] & 128)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0xE0)
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '\\')
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= 0x1F)
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                            }
-                            if (yych <= '"')
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_33;
-                            }
-                            goto basic_json_parser_35;
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= 0xC1)
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                            }
-                            if (yych <= 0xDF)
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_36;
-                            }
-                            goto basic_json_parser_37;
-                        }
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 0xEF)
-                        {
-                            if (yych == 0xED)
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_39;
-                            }
-                            goto basic_json_parser_38;
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= 0xF0)
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_40;
-                            }
-                            if (yych <= 0xF3)
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_41;
-                            }
-                            if (yych <= 0xF4)
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_42;
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_32:
-                    m_cursor = m_marker;
-                    if (yyaccept == 0)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_5;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_14;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_33:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::value_string;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_35:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 'e')
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '/')
-                        {
-                            if (yych == '"')
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                            }
-                            if (yych <= '.')
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                            }
-                            goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= '\\')
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= '[')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                if (yych == 'b')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'q')
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= 'f')
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                            }
-                            if (yych == 'n')
-                            {
-                                goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                            }
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            if (yych <= 's')
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= 'r')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                if (yych <= 't')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                                }
-                                if (yych <= 'u')
-                                {
-                                    goto basic_json_parser_48;
-                                }
-                                goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_36:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 0x7F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0xBF)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_37:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 0x9F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0xBF)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_36;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_38:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 0x7F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0xBF)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_36;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_39:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 0x7F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0x9F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_36;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_40:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 0x8F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0xBF)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_38;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_41:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 0x7F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0xBF)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_38;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_42:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 0x7F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= 0x8F)
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_38;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_43:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= '/')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= '9')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_49;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_44:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= ',')
-                    {
-                        if (yych == '+')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_51;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '-')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_51;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '/')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '9')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_52;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_45:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych == 'l')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_54;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_46:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych == 'l')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_55;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_47:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych == 'u')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_56;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_48:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= '@')
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '/')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '9')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_57;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'F')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_57;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '`')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= 'f')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_57;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_49:
-                    yyaccept = 1;
-                    m_marker = ++m_cursor;
-                    if ((m_limit - m_cursor) < 3)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(3);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= 'D')
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '/')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_14;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '9')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_49;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_14;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'E')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_44;
-                        }
-                        if (yych == 'e')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_44;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_14;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_51:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= '/')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    if (yych >= ':')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_52:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= '/')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_14;
-                    }
-                    if (yych <= '9')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_52;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_14;
-basic_json_parser_54:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych == 's')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_58;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_55:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych == 'l')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_59;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_56:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych == 'e')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_61;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_57:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= '@')
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '/')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '9')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_63;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'F')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_63;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '`')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= 'f')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_63;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_58:
-                    yych = *++m_cursor;
-                    if (yych == 'e')
-                    {
-                        goto basic_json_parser_64;
-                    }
-                    goto basic_json_parser_32;
-basic_json_parser_59:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::literal_null;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_61:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::literal_true;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_63:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= '@')
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '/')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '9')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_66;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'F')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_66;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '`')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= 'f')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_66;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_64:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    {
-                        last_token_type = token_type::literal_false;
-                        break;
-                    }
-basic_json_parser_66:
-                    ++m_cursor;
-                    if (m_limit <= m_cursor)
-                    {
-                        fill_line_buffer(1);    // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                    yych = *m_cursor;
-                    if (yych <= '@')
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= '/')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '9')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        if (yych <= 'F')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= '`')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                        }
-                        if (yych <= 'f')
-                        {
-                            goto basic_json_parser_30;
-                        }
-                        goto basic_json_parser_32;
-                    }
-                }
+    @param[in,out] endptr  recieves a pointer to the first character after
+    the number
 
-            }
+    @return the floating point number
+    */
+    double str_to_float_t(double * /* type */, char **endptr) const
+    {
+      return std::strtod(
+          reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(m_start), endptr);
+    }
 
-            return last_token_type;
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief append data from the stream to the line buffer
-
-        This function is called by the scan() function when the end of the
-        buffer (`m_limit`) is reached and the `m_cursor` pointer cannot be
-        incremented without leaving the limits of the line buffer. Note re2c
-        decides when to call this function.
-
-        If the lexer reads from contiguous storage, there is no trailing null
-        byte. Therefore, this function must make sure to add these padding
-        null bytes.
-
-        If the lexer reads from an input stream, this function reads the next
-        line of the input.
-
-        @pre
-            p p p p p p u u u u u x . . . . . .
-            ^           ^       ^   ^
-            m_content   m_start |   m_limit
-                                m_cursor
-
-        @post
-            u u u u u x x x x x x x . . . . . .
-            ^       ^               ^
-            |       m_cursor        m_limit
-            m_start
-            m_content
-        */
-        void fill_line_buffer(size_t n = 0)
-        {
-            // if line buffer is used, m_content points to its data
-            assert(m_line_buffer.empty()
-                   or m_content == reinterpret_cast<const lexer_char_t*>(m_line_buffer.data()));
-
-            // if line buffer is used, m_limit is set past the end of its data
-            assert(m_line_buffer.empty()
-                   or m_limit == m_content + m_line_buffer.size());
-
-            // pointer relationships
-            assert(m_content <= m_start);
-            assert(m_start <= m_cursor);
-            assert(m_cursor <= m_limit);
-            assert(m_marker == nullptr or m_marker  <= m_limit);
-
-            // number of processed characters (p)
-            const auto num_processed_chars = static_cast<size_t>(m_start - m_content);
-            // offset for m_marker wrt. to m_start
-            const auto offset_marker = (m_marker == nullptr) ? 0 : m_marker - m_start;
-            // number of unprocessed characters (u)
-            const auto offset_cursor = m_cursor - m_start;
-
-            // no stream is used or end of file is reached
-            if (m_stream == nullptr or m_stream->eof())
-            {
-                // m_start may or may not be pointing into m_line_buffer at
-                // this point. We trust the standand library to do the right
-                // thing. See http://stackoverflow.com/q/28142011/266378
-                m_line_buffer.assign(m_start, m_limit);
-
-                // append n characters to make sure that there is sufficient
-                // space between m_cursor and m_limit
-                m_line_buffer.append(1, '\x00');
-                if (n > 0)
-                {
-                    m_line_buffer.append(n - 1, '\x01');
-                }
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                // delete processed characters from line buffer
-                m_line_buffer.erase(0, num_processed_chars);
-                // read next line from input stream
-                m_line_buffer_tmp.clear();
-                std::getline(*m_stream, m_line_buffer_tmp, '\n');
-
-                // add line with newline symbol to the line buffer
-                m_line_buffer += m_line_buffer_tmp;
-                m_line_buffer.push_back('\n');
-            }
+    /*!
+    @brief parse floating point number
 
-            // set pointers
-            m_content = reinterpret_cast<const lexer_char_t*>(m_line_buffer.data());
-            assert(m_content != nullptr);
-            m_start  = m_content;
-            m_marker = m_start + offset_marker;
-            m_cursor = m_start + offset_cursor;
-            m_limit  = m_start + m_line_buffer.size();
-        }
-
-        /// return string representation of last read token
-        string_t get_token_string() const
-        {
-            assert(m_start != nullptr);
-            return string_t(reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(m_start),
-                            static_cast<size_t>(m_cursor - m_start));
-        }
-
-        /*!
-        @brief return string value for string tokens
-
-        The function iterates the characters between the opening and closing
-        quotes of the string value. The complete string is the range
-        [m_start,m_cursor). Consequently, we iterate from m_start+1 to
-        m_cursor-1.
-
-        We differentiate two cases:
-
-        1. Escaped characters. In this case, a new character is constructed
-           according to the nature of the escape. Some escapes create new
-           characters (e.g., `"\\n"` is replaced by `"\n"`), some are copied
-           as is (e.g., `"\\\\"`). Furthermore, Unicode escapes of the shape
-           `"\\uxxxx"` need special care. In this case, to_unicode takes care
-           of the construction of the values.
-        2. Unescaped characters are copied as is.
-
-        @pre `m_cursor - m_start >= 2`, meaning the length of the last token
-        is at least 2 bytes which is trivially true for any string (which
-        consists of at least two quotes).
-
-            " c1 c2 c3 ... "
-            ^                ^
-            m_start          m_cursor
-
-        @complexity Linear in the length of the string.\n
-
-        Lemma: The loop body will always terminate.\n
-
-        Proof (by contradiction): Assume the loop body does not terminate. As
-        the loop body does not contain another loop, one of the called
-        functions must never return. The called functions are `std::strtoul`
-        and to_unicode. Neither function can loop forever, so the loop body
-        will never loop forever which contradicts the assumption that the loop
-        body does not terminate, q.e.d.\n
-
-        Lemma: The loop condition for the for loop is eventually false.\n
-
-        Proof (by contradiction): Assume the loop does not terminate. Due to
-        the above lemma, this can only be due to a tautological loop
-        condition; that is, the loop condition i < m_cursor - 1 must always be
-        true. Let x be the change of i for any loop iteration. Then
-        m_start + 1 + x < m_cursor - 1 must hold to loop indefinitely. This
-        can be rephrased to m_cursor - m_start - 2 > x. With the
-        precondition, we x <= 0, meaning that the loop condition holds
-        indefinitly if i is always decreased. However, observe that the value
-        of i is strictly increasing with each iteration, as it is incremented
-        by 1 in the iteration expression and never decremented inside the loop
-        body. Hence, the loop condition will eventually be false which
-        contradicts the assumption that the loop condition is a tautology,
-        q.e.d.
-
-        @return string value of current token without opening and closing
-        quotes
-        @throw std::out_of_range if to_unicode fails
-        */
-        string_t get_string() const
-        {
-            assert(m_cursor - m_start >= 2);
-
-            string_t result;
-            result.reserve(static_cast<size_t>(m_cursor - m_start - 2));
-
-            // iterate the result between the quotes
-            for (const lexer_char_t* i = m_start + 1; i < m_cursor - 1; ++i)
-            {
-                // find next escape character
-                auto e = std::find(i, m_cursor - 1, '\\');
-                if (e != i)
-                {
-                    // see https://github.com/nlohmann/json/issues/365#issuecomment-262874705
-                    for (auto k = i; k < e; k++)
-                    {
-                        result.push_back(static_cast<typename string_t::value_type>(*k));
-                    }
-                    i = e - 1; // -1 because of ++i
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    // processing escaped character
-                    // read next character
-                    ++i;
-
-                    switch (*i)
-                    {
-                        // the default escapes
-                        case 't':
-                        {
-                            result += "\t";
-                            break;
-                        }
-                        case 'b':
-                        {
-                            result += "\b";
-                            break;
-                        }
-                        case 'f':
-                        {
-                            result += "\f";
-                            break;
-                        }
-                        case 'n':
-                        {
-                            result += "\n";
-                            break;
-                        }
-                        case 'r':
-                        {
-                            result += "\r";
-                            break;
-                        }
-                        case '\\':
-                        {
-                            result += "\\";
-                            break;
-                        }
-                        case '/':
-                        {
-                            result += "/";
-                            break;
-                        }
-                        case '"':
-                        {
-                            result += "\"";
-                            break;
-                        }
-
-                        // unicode
-                        case 'u':
-                        {
-                            // get code xxxx from uxxxx
-                            auto codepoint = std::strtoul(std::string(reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(i + 1),
-                                                          4).c_str(), nullptr, 16);
-
-                            // check if codepoint is a high surrogate
-                            if (codepoint >= 0xD800 and codepoint <= 0xDBFF)
-                            {
-                                // make sure there is a subsequent unicode
-                                if ((i + 6 >= m_limit) or * (i + 5) != '\\' or * (i + 6) != 'u')
-                                {
-                                    JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("missing low surrogate"));
-                                }
-
-                                // get code yyyy from uxxxx\uyyyy
-                                auto codepoint2 = std::strtoul(std::string(reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>
-                                                               (i + 7), 4).c_str(), nullptr, 16);
-                                result += to_unicode(codepoint, codepoint2);
-                                // skip the next 10 characters (xxxx\uyyyy)
-                                i += 10;
-                            }
-                            else if (codepoint >= 0xDC00 and codepoint <= 0xDFFF)
-                            {
-                                // we found a lone low surrogate
-                                JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("missing high surrogate"));
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                // add unicode character(s)
-                                result += to_unicode(codepoint);
-                                // skip the next four characters (xxxx)
-                                i += 4;
-                            }
-                            break;
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-            }
+    This function (and its overloads) serves to select the most approprate
+    standard floating point number parsing function based on the type
+    supplied via the first parameter.  Set this to @a
+    static_cast<number_float_t*>(nullptr).
 
-            return result;
-        }
+    @param[in,out] endptr  recieves a pointer to the first character after
+    the number
 
-        /*!
-        @brief parse floating point number
+    @return the floating point number
+    */
+    float str_to_float_t(float * /* type */, char **endptr) const
+    {
+      return std::strtof(
+          reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(m_start), endptr);
+    }
 
-        This function (and its overloads) serves to select the most approprate
-        standard floating point number parsing function based on the type
-        supplied via the first parameter.  Set this to @a
-        static_cast<number_float_t*>(nullptr).
+    /*!
+    @brief return number value for number tokens
 
-        @param[in,out] endptr recieves a pointer to the first character after
-        the number
+    This function translates the last token into the most appropriate
+    number type (either integer, unsigned integer or floating point),
+    which is passed back to the caller via the result parameter.
 
-        @return the floating point number
-        */
-        long double str_to_float_t(long double* /* type */, char** endptr) const
-        {
-            return std::strtold(reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(m_start), endptr);
-        }
+    This function parses the integer component up to the radix point or
+    exponent while collecting information about the 'floating point
+    representation', which it stores in the result parameter. If there is
+    no radix point or exponent, and the number can fit into a @ref
+    number_integer_t or @ref number_unsigned_t then it sets the result
+    parameter accordingly.
 
-        /*!
-        @brief parse floating point number
+    If the number is a floating point number the number is then parsed
+    using @a std:strtod (or @a std:strtof or @a std::strtold).
 
-        This function (and its overloads) serves to select the most approprate
-        standard floating point number parsing function based on the type
-        supplied via the first parameter.  Set this to @a
-        static_cast<number_float_t*>(nullptr).
+    @param[out] result  @ref basic_json object to receive the number, or
+    NAN if the conversion read past the current token. The latter case
+    needs to be treated by the caller function.
+    */
+    void get_number(basic_json &result) const
+    {
+      assert(m_start != nullptr);
 
-        @param[in,out] endptr  recieves a pointer to the first character after
-        the number
+      const lexer::lexer_char_t *curptr = m_start;
 
-        @return the floating point number
-        */
-        double str_to_float_t(double* /* type */, char** endptr) const
-        {
-            return std::strtod(reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(m_start), endptr);
-        }
+      // accumulate the integer conversion result (unsigned for now)
+      number_unsigned_t value = 0;
 
-        /*!
-        @brief parse floating point number
+      // maximum absolute value of the relevant integer type
+      number_unsigned_t max;
 
-        This function (and its overloads) serves to select the most approprate
-        standard floating point number parsing function based on the type
-        supplied via the first parameter.  Set this to @a
-        static_cast<number_float_t*>(nullptr).
+      // temporarily store the type to avoid unecessary bitfield access
+      value_t type;
 
-        @param[in,out] endptr  recieves a pointer to the first character after
-        the number
+      // look for sign
+      if (*curptr == '-')
+      {
+        type = value_t::number_integer;
+        max = static_cast<uint64_t>(
+                  (std::numeric_limits<number_integer_t>::max)()) +
+              1;
+        curptr++;
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        type = value_t::number_unsigned;
+        max = static_cast<uint64_t>(
+            (std::numeric_limits<number_unsigned_t>::max)());
+      }
 
-        @return the floating point number
-        */
-        float str_to_float_t(float* /* type */, char** endptr) const
+      // count the significant figures
+      for (; curptr < m_cursor; curptr++)
+      {
+        // quickly skip tests if a digit
+        if (*curptr < '0' || *curptr > '9')
         {
-            return std::strtof(reinterpret_cast<typename string_t::const_pointer>(m_start), endptr);
+          if (*curptr == '.')
+          {
+            // don't count '.' but change to float
+            type = value_t::number_float;
+            continue;
+          }
+          // assume exponent (if not then will fail parse): change to
+          // float, stop counting and record exponent details
+          type = value_t::number_float;
+          break;
         }
 
-        /*!
-        @brief return number value for number tokens
-
-        This function translates the last token into the most appropriate
-        number type (either integer, unsigned integer or floating point),
-        which is passed back to the caller via the result parameter.
-
-        This function parses the integer component up to the radix point or
-        exponent while collecting information about the 'floating point
-        representation', which it stores in the result parameter. If there is
-        no radix point or exponent, and the number can fit into a @ref
-        number_integer_t or @ref number_unsigned_t then it sets the result
-        parameter accordingly.
+        // skip if definitely not an integer
+        if (type != value_t::number_float)
+        {
+          auto digit = static_cast<number_unsigned_t>(*curptr - '0');
 
-        If the number is a floating point number the number is then parsed
-        using @a std:strtod (or @a std:strtof or @a std::strtold).
+          // overflow if value * 10 + digit > max, move terms around
+          // to avoid overflow in intermediate values
+          if (value > (max - digit) / 10)
+          {
+            // overflow
+            type = value_t::number_float;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            // no overflow
+            value = value * 10 + digit;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+
+      // save the value (if not a float)
+      if (type == value_t::number_unsigned)
+      {
+        result.m_value.number_unsigned = value;
+      }
+      else if (type == value_t::number_integer)
+      {
+        // invariant: if we parsed a '-', the absolute value is between
+        // 0 (we allow -0) and max == -INT64_MIN
+        assert(value >= 0);
+        assert(value <= max);
+
+        if (value == max)
+        {
+          // we cannot simply negate value (== max == -INT64_MIN),
+          // see https://github.com/nlohmann/json/issues/389
+          result.m_value.number_integer =
+              static_cast<number_integer_t>(INT64_MIN);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+          // all other values can be negated safely
+          result.m_value.number_integer = -static_cast<number_integer_t>(value);
+        }
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        // parse with strtod
+        result.m_value.number_float =
+            str_to_float_t(static_cast<number_float_t *>(nullptr), nullptr);
 
-        @param[out] result  @ref basic_json object to receive the number, or
-        NAN if the conversion read past the current token. The latter case
-        needs to be treated by the caller function.
-        */
-        void get_number(basic_json& result) const
+        // replace infinity and NAN by null
+        if (not std::isfinite(result.m_value.number_float))
         {
-            assert(m_start != nullptr);
+          type = value_t::null;
+          result.m_value = basic_json::json_value();
+        }
+      }
 
-            const lexer::lexer_char_t* curptr = m_start;
+      // save the type
+      result.m_type = type;
+    }
+
+  private:
+    /// optional input stream
+    std::istream *m_stream = nullptr;
+    /// line buffer buffer for m_stream
+    string_t m_line_buffer{};
+    /// used for filling m_line_buffer
+    string_t m_line_buffer_tmp{};
+    /// the buffer pointer
+    const lexer_char_t *m_content = nullptr;
+    /// pointer to the beginning of the current symbol
+    const lexer_char_t *m_start = nullptr;
+    /// pointer for backtracking information
+    const lexer_char_t *m_marker = nullptr;
+    /// pointer to the current symbol
+    const lexer_char_t *m_cursor = nullptr;
+    /// pointer to the end of the buffer
+    const lexer_char_t *m_limit = nullptr;
+    /// the last token type
+    token_type last_token_type = token_type::end_of_input;
+  };
+
+  /*!
+  @brief syntax analysis
+
+  This class implements a recursive decent parser.
+  */
+  class parser
+  {
+  public:
+    /// a parser reading from a string literal
+    parser(const char *buff, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+        : callback(cb),
+          m_lexer(reinterpret_cast<const typename lexer::lexer_char_t *>(buff),
+                  std::strlen(buff))
+    {
+    }
 
-            // accumulate the integer conversion result (unsigned for now)
-            number_unsigned_t value = 0;
+    /// a parser reading from an input stream
+    parser(std::istream &is, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+        : callback(cb), m_lexer(is)
+    {
+    }
 
-            // maximum absolute value of the relevant integer type
-            number_unsigned_t max;
+    /// a parser reading from an iterator range with contiguous storage
+    template <class IteratorType,
+              typename std::enable_if<
+                  std::is_same<typename std::iterator_traits<
+                                   IteratorType>::iterator_category,
+                               std::random_access_iterator_tag>::value,
+                  int>::type = 0>
+    parser(IteratorType first, IteratorType last,
+           const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
+        : callback(cb),
+          m_lexer(
+              reinterpret_cast<const typename lexer::lexer_char_t *>(&(*first)),
+              static_cast<size_t>(std::distance(first, last)))
+    {
+    }
 
-            // temporarily store the type to avoid unecessary bitfield access
-            value_t type;
+    /// public parser interface
+    basic_json parse()
+    {
+      // read first token
+      get_token();
 
-            // look for sign
-            if (*curptr == '-')
-            {
-                type = value_t::number_integer;
-                max = static_cast<uint64_t>((std::numeric_limits<number_integer_t>::max)()) + 1;
-                curptr++;
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                type = value_t::number_unsigned;
-                max = static_cast<uint64_t>((std::numeric_limits<number_unsigned_t>::max)());
-            }
+      basic_json result = parse_internal(true);
+      result.assert_invariant();
 
-            // count the significant figures
-            for (; curptr < m_cursor; curptr++)
-            {
-                // quickly skip tests if a digit
-                if (*curptr < '0' || *curptr > '9')
-                {
-                    if (*curptr == '.')
-                    {
-                        // don't count '.' but change to float
-                        type = value_t::number_float;
-                        continue;
-                    }
-                    // assume exponent (if not then will fail parse): change to
-                    // float, stop counting and record exponent details
-                    type = value_t::number_float;
-                    break;
-                }
+      expect(lexer::token_type::end_of_input);
 
-                // skip if definitely not an integer
-                if (type != value_t::number_float)
-                {
-                    auto digit = static_cast<number_unsigned_t>(*curptr - '0');
-
-                    // overflow if value * 10 + digit > max, move terms around
-                    // to avoid overflow in intermediate values
-                    if (value > (max - digit) / 10)
-                    {
-                        // overflow
-                        type = value_t::number_float;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        // no overflow
-                        value = value * 10 + digit;
-                    }
-                }
-            }
+      // return parser result and replace it with null in case the
+      // top-level value was discarded by the callback function
+      return result.is_discarded() ? basic_json() : std::move(result);
+    }
 
-            // save the value (if not a float)
-            if (type == value_t::number_unsigned)
+  private:
+    /// the actual parser
+    basic_json parse_internal(bool keep)
+    {
+      auto result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
+
+      switch (last_token)
+      {
+        case lexer::token_type::begin_object:
+        {
+          if (keep and (not callback or
+                        ((keep = callback(depth++, parse_event_t::object_start,
+                                          result)) != 0)))
+          {
+            // explicitly set result to object to cope with {}
+            result.m_type = value_t::object;
+            result.m_value = value_t::object;
+          }
+
+          // read next token
+          get_token();
+
+          // closing } -> we are done
+          if (last_token == lexer::token_type::end_object)
+          {
+            get_token();
+            if (keep and callback and
+                not callback(--depth, parse_event_t::object_end, result))
             {
-                result.m_value.number_unsigned = value;
+              result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
             }
-            else if (type == value_t::number_integer)
-            {
-                // invariant: if we parsed a '-', the absolute value is between
-                // 0 (we allow -0) and max == -INT64_MIN
-                assert(value >= 0);
-                assert(value <= max);
+            return result;
+          }
 
-                if (value == max)
-                {
-                    // we cannot simply negate value (== max == -INT64_MIN),
-                    // see https://github.com/nlohmann/json/issues/389
-                    result.m_value.number_integer = static_cast<number_integer_t>(INT64_MIN);
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    // all other values can be negated safely
-                    result.m_value.number_integer = -static_cast<number_integer_t>(value);
-                }
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                // parse with strtod
-                result.m_value.number_float = str_to_float_t(static_cast<number_float_t*>(nullptr), nullptr);
+          // no comma is expected here
+          unexpect(lexer::token_type::value_separator);
 
-                // replace infinity and NAN by null
-                if (not std::isfinite(result.m_value.number_float))
-                {
-                    type = value_t::null;
-                    result.m_value = basic_json::json_value();
-                }
+          // otherwise: parse key-value pairs
+          do
+          {
+            // ugly, but could be fixed with loop reorganization
+            if (last_token == lexer::token_type::value_separator)
+            {
+              get_token();
             }
 
-            // save the type
-            result.m_type = type;
-        }
-
-      private:
-        /// optional input stream
-        std::istream* m_stream = nullptr;
-        /// line buffer buffer for m_stream
-        string_t m_line_buffer {};
-        /// used for filling m_line_buffer
-        string_t m_line_buffer_tmp {};
-        /// the buffer pointer
-        const lexer_char_t* m_content = nullptr;
-        /// pointer to the beginning of the current symbol
-        const lexer_char_t* m_start = nullptr;
-        /// pointer for backtracking information
-        const lexer_char_t* m_marker = nullptr;
-        /// pointer to the current symbol
-        const lexer_char_t* m_cursor = nullptr;
-        /// pointer to the end of the buffer
-        const lexer_char_t* m_limit = nullptr;
-        /// the last token type
-        token_type last_token_type = token_type::end_of_input;
-    };
+            // store key
+            expect(lexer::token_type::value_string);
+            const auto key = m_lexer.get_string();
 
-    /*!
-    @brief syntax analysis
+            bool keep_tag = false;
+            if (keep)
+            {
+              if (callback)
+              {
+                basic_json k(key);
+                keep_tag = callback(depth, parse_event_t::key, k);
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                keep_tag = true;
+              }
+            }
 
-    This class implements a recursive decent parser.
-    */
-    class parser
-    {
-      public:
-        /// a parser reading from a string literal
-        parser(const char* buff, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
-            : callback(cb),
-              m_lexer(reinterpret_cast<const typename lexer::lexer_char_t*>(buff), std::strlen(buff))
-        {}
-
-        /// a parser reading from an input stream
-        parser(std::istream& is, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
-            : callback(cb), m_lexer(is)
-        {}
-
-        /// a parser reading from an iterator range with contiguous storage
-        template<class IteratorType, typename std::enable_if<
-                     std::is_same<typename std::iterator_traits<IteratorType>::iterator_category, std::random_access_iterator_tag>::value
-                     , int>::type
-                 = 0>
-        parser(IteratorType first, IteratorType last, const parser_callback_t cb = nullptr)
-            : callback(cb),
-              m_lexer(reinterpret_cast<const typename lexer::lexer_char_t*>(&(*first)),
-                      static_cast<size_t>(std::distance(first, last)))
-        {}
-
-        /// public parser interface
-        basic_json parse()
-        {
-            // read first token
+            // parse separator (:)
             get_token();
+            expect(lexer::token_type::name_separator);
 
-            basic_json result = parse_internal(true);
-            result.assert_invariant();
+            // parse and add value
+            get_token();
+            auto value = parse_internal(keep);
+            if (keep and keep_tag and not value.is_discarded())
+            {
+              result[key] = std::move(value);
+            }
+          } while (last_token == lexer::token_type::value_separator);
 
-            expect(lexer::token_type::end_of_input);
+          // closing }
+          expect(lexer::token_type::end_object);
+          get_token();
+          if (keep and callback and
+              not callback(--depth, parse_event_t::object_end, result))
+          {
+            result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
+          }
 
-            // return parser result and replace it with null in case the
-            // top-level value was discarded by the callback function
-            return result.is_discarded() ? basic_json() : std::move(result);
+          return result;
         }
 
-      private:
-        /// the actual parser
-        basic_json parse_internal(bool keep)
+        case lexer::token_type::begin_array:
         {
-            auto result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
+          if (keep and (not callback or
+                        ((keep = callback(depth++, parse_event_t::array_start,
+                                          result)) != 0)))
+          {
+            // explicitly set result to object to cope with []
+            result.m_type = value_t::array;
+            result.m_value = value_t::array;
+          }
+
+          // read next token
+          get_token();
 
-            switch (last_token)
+          // closing ] -> we are done
+          if (last_token == lexer::token_type::end_array)
+          {
+            get_token();
+            if (callback and
+                not callback(--depth, parse_event_t::array_end, result))
             {
-                case lexer::token_type::begin_object:
-                {
-                    if (keep and (not callback
-                                  or ((keep = callback(depth++, parse_event_t::object_start, result)) != 0)))
-                    {
-                        // explicitly set result to object to cope with {}
-                        result.m_type = value_t::object;
-                        result.m_value = value_t::object;
-                    }
-
-                    // read next token
-                    get_token();
-
-                    // closing } -> we are done
-                    if (last_token == lexer::token_type::end_object)
-                    {
-                        get_token();
-                        if (keep and callback and not callback(--depth, parse_event_t::object_end, result))
-                        {
-                            result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
-                        }
-                        return result;
-                    }
-
-                    // no comma is expected here
-                    unexpect(lexer::token_type::value_separator);
-
-                    // otherwise: parse key-value pairs
-                    do
-                    {
-                        // ugly, but could be fixed with loop reorganization
-                        if (last_token == lexer::token_type::value_separator)
-                        {
-                            get_token();
-                        }
-
-                        // store key
-                        expect(lexer::token_type::value_string);
-                        const auto key = m_lexer.get_string();
-
-                        bool keep_tag = false;
-                        if (keep)
-                        {
-                            if (callback)
-                            {
-                                basic_json k(key);
-                                keep_tag = callback(depth, parse_event_t::key, k);
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                keep_tag = true;
-                            }
-                        }
-
-                        // parse separator (:)
-                        get_token();
-                        expect(lexer::token_type::name_separator);
-
-                        // parse and add value
-                        get_token();
-                        auto value = parse_internal(keep);
-                        if (keep and keep_tag and not value.is_discarded())
-                        {
-                            result[key] = std::move(value);
-                        }
-                    }
-                    while (last_token == lexer::token_type::value_separator);
-
-                    // closing }
-                    expect(lexer::token_type::end_object);
-                    get_token();
-                    if (keep and callback and not callback(--depth, parse_event_t::object_end, result))
-                    {
-                        result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
-                    }
-
-                    return result;
-                }
+              result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
+            }
+            return result;
+          }
 
-                case lexer::token_type::begin_array:
-                {
-                    if (keep and (not callback
-                                  or ((keep = callback(depth++, parse_event_t::array_start, result)) != 0)))
-                    {
-                        // explicitly set result to object to cope with []
-                        result.m_type = value_t::array;
-                        result.m_value = value_t::array;
-                    }
-
-                    // read next token
-                    get_token();
-
-                    // closing ] -> we are done
-                    if (last_token == lexer::token_type::end_array)
-                    {
-                        get_token();
-                        if (callback and not callback(--depth, parse_event_t::array_end, result))
-                        {
-                            result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
-                        }
-                        return result;
-                    }
-
-                    // no comma is expected here
-                    unexpect(lexer::token_type::value_separator);
-
-                    // otherwise: parse values
-                    do
-                    {
-                        // ugly, but could be fixed with loop reorganization
-                        if (last_token == lexer::token_type::value_separator)
-                        {
-                            get_token();
-                        }
-
-                        // parse value
-                        auto value = parse_internal(keep);
-                        if (keep and not value.is_discarded())
-                        {
-                            result.push_back(std::move(value));
-                        }
-                    }
-                    while (last_token == lexer::token_type::value_separator);
-
-                    // closing ]
-                    expect(lexer::token_type::end_array);
-                    get_token();
-                    if (keep and callback and not callback(--depth, parse_event_t::array_end, result))
-                    {
-                        result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
-                    }
-
-                    return result;
-                }
+          // no comma is expected here
+          unexpect(lexer::token_type::value_separator);
 
-                case lexer::token_type::literal_null:
-                {
-                    get_token();
-                    result.m_type = value_t::null;
-                    break;
-                }
+          // otherwise: parse values
+          do
+          {
+            // ugly, but could be fixed with loop reorganization
+            if (last_token == lexer::token_type::value_separator)
+            {
+              get_token();
+            }
 
-                case lexer::token_type::value_string:
-                {
-                    const auto s = m_lexer.get_string();
-                    get_token();
-                    result = basic_json(s);
-                    break;
-                }
+            // parse value
+            auto value = parse_internal(keep);
+            if (keep and not value.is_discarded())
+            {
+              result.push_back(std::move(value));
+            }
+          } while (last_token == lexer::token_type::value_separator);
 
-                case lexer::token_type::literal_true:
-                {
-                    get_token();
-                    result.m_type = value_t::boolean;
-                    result.m_value = true;
-                    break;
-                }
+          // closing ]
+          expect(lexer::token_type::end_array);
+          get_token();
+          if (keep and callback and
+              not callback(--depth, parse_event_t::array_end, result))
+          {
+            result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
+          }
 
-                case lexer::token_type::literal_false:
-                {
-                    get_token();
-                    result.m_type = value_t::boolean;
-                    result.m_value = false;
-                    break;
-                }
+          return result;
+        }
 
-                case lexer::token_type::value_number:
-                {
-                    m_lexer.get_number(result);
-                    get_token();
-                    break;
-                }
+        case lexer::token_type::literal_null:
+        {
+          get_token();
+          result.m_type = value_t::null;
+          break;
+        }
 
-                default:
-                {
-                    // the last token was unexpected
-                    unexpect(last_token);
-                }
-            }
+        case lexer::token_type::value_string:
+        {
+          const auto s = m_lexer.get_string();
+          get_token();
+          result = basic_json(s);
+          break;
+        }
 
-            if (keep and callback and not callback(depth, parse_event_t::value, result))
-            {
-                result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
-            }
-            return result;
+        case lexer::token_type::literal_true:
+        {
+          get_token();
+          result.m_type = value_t::boolean;
+          result.m_value = true;
+          break;
         }
 
-        /// get next token from lexer
-        typename lexer::token_type get_token()
+        case lexer::token_type::literal_false:
         {
-            last_token = m_lexer.scan();
-            return last_token;
+          get_token();
+          result.m_type = value_t::boolean;
+          result.m_value = false;
+          break;
         }
 
-        void expect(typename lexer::token_type t) const
+        case lexer::token_type::value_number:
         {
-            if (t != last_token)
-            {
-                std::string error_msg = "parse error - unexpected ";
-                error_msg += (last_token == lexer::token_type::parse_error ? ("'" +  m_lexer.get_token_string() +
-                              "'") :
-                              lexer::token_type_name(last_token));
-                error_msg += "; expected " + lexer::token_type_name(t);
-                JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(error_msg));
-            }
+          m_lexer.get_number(result);
+          get_token();
+          break;
         }
 
-        void unexpect(typename lexer::token_type t) const
+        default:
         {
-            if (t == last_token)
-            {
-                std::string error_msg = "parse error - unexpected ";
-                error_msg += (last_token == lexer::token_type::parse_error ? ("'" +  m_lexer.get_token_string() +
-                              "'") :
-                              lexer::token_type_name(last_token));
-                JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(error_msg));
-            }
+          // the last token was unexpected
+          unexpect(last_token);
         }
+      }
 
-      private:
-        /// current level of recursion
-        int depth = 0;
-        /// callback function
-        const parser_callback_t callback = nullptr;
-        /// the type of the last read token
-        typename lexer::token_type last_token = lexer::token_type::uninitialized;
-        /// the lexer
-        lexer m_lexer;
-    };
+      if (keep and callback and
+          not callback(depth, parse_event_t::value, result))
+      {
+        result = basic_json(value_t::discarded);
+      }
+      return result;
+    }
+
+    /// get next token from lexer
+    typename lexer::token_type get_token()
+    {
+      last_token = m_lexer.scan();
+      return last_token;
+    }
+
+    void expect(typename lexer::token_type t) const
+    {
+      if (t != last_token)
+      {
+        std::string error_msg = "parse error - unexpected ";
+        error_msg += (last_token == lexer::token_type::parse_error
+                          ? ("'" + m_lexer.get_token_string() + "'")
+                          : lexer::token_type_name(last_token));
+        error_msg += "; expected " + lexer::token_type_name(t);
+        JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(error_msg));
+      }
+    }
+
+    void unexpect(typename lexer::token_type t) const
+    {
+      if (t == last_token)
+      {
+        std::string error_msg = "parse error - unexpected ";
+        error_msg += (last_token == lexer::token_type::parse_error
+                          ? ("'" + m_lexer.get_token_string() + "'")
+                          : lexer::token_type_name(last_token));
+        JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(error_msg));
+      }
+    }
+
+  private:
+    /// current level of recursion
+    int depth = 0;
+    /// callback function
+    const parser_callback_t callback = nullptr;
+    /// the type of the last read token
+    typename lexer::token_type last_token = lexer::token_type::uninitialized;
+    /// the lexer
+    lexer m_lexer;
+  };
+
+public:
+  /*!
+  @brief JSON Pointer
+
+  A JSON pointer defines a string syntax for identifying a specific value
+  within a JSON document. It can be used with functions `at` and
+  `operator[]`. Furthermore, JSON pointers are the base for JSON patches.
+
+  @sa [RFC 6901](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901)
+
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  class json_pointer
+  {
+    /// allow basic_json to access private members
+    friend class basic_json;
 
   public:
     /*!
-    @brief JSON Pointer
+    @brief create JSON pointer
 
-    A JSON pointer defines a string syntax for identifying a specific value
-    within a JSON document. It can be used with functions `at` and
-    `operator[]`. Furthermore, JSON pointers are the base for JSON patches.
+    Create a JSON pointer according to the syntax described in
+    [Section 3 of RFC6901](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901#section-3).
 
-    @sa [RFC 6901](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901)
+    @param[in] s  string representing the JSON pointer; if omitted, the
+                  empty string is assumed which references the whole JSON
+                  value
+
+    @throw std::domain_error if reference token is nonempty and does not
+    begin with a slash (`/`); example: `"JSON pointer must be empty or
+    begin with /"`
+    @throw std::domain_error if a tilde (`~`) is not followed by `0`
+    (representing `~`) or `1` (representing `/`); example: `"escape error:
+    ~ must be followed with 0 or 1"`
+
+    @liveexample{The example shows the construction several valid JSON
+    pointers as well as the exceptional behavior.,json_pointer}
 
     @since version 2.0.0
     */
-    class json_pointer
+    explicit json_pointer(const std::string &s = "")
+        : reference_tokens(split(s))
     {
-        /// allow basic_json to access private members
-        friend class basic_json;
+    }
+
+    /*!
+    @brief return a string representation of the JSON pointer
 
-      public:
-        /*!
-        @brief create JSON pointer
+    @invariant For each JSON pointer `ptr`, it holds:
+    @code {.cpp}
+    ptr == json_pointer(ptr.to_string());
+    @endcode
 
-        Create a JSON pointer according to the syntax described in
-        [Section 3 of RFC6901](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901#section-3).
+    @return a string representation of the JSON pointer
 
-        @param[in] s  string representing the JSON pointer; if omitted, the
-                      empty string is assumed which references the whole JSON
-                      value
+    @liveexample{The example shows the result of `to_string`.,
+    json_pointer__to_string}
 
-        @throw std::domain_error if reference token is nonempty and does not
-        begin with a slash (`/`); example: `"JSON pointer must be empty or
-        begin with /"`
-        @throw std::domain_error if a tilde (`~`) is not followed by `0`
-        (representing `~`) or `1` (representing `/`); example: `"escape error:
-        ~ must be followed with 0 or 1"`
+    @since version 2.0.0
+    */
+    std::string to_string() const noexcept
+    {
+      return std::accumulate(reference_tokens.begin(), reference_tokens.end(),
+                             std::string{},
+                             [](const std::string &a, const std::string &b) {
+                               return a + "/" + escape(b);
+                             });
+    }
 
-        @liveexample{The example shows the construction several valid JSON
-        pointers as well as the exceptional behavior.,json_pointer}
+    /// @copydoc to_string()
+    operator std::string() const { return to_string(); }
 
-        @since version 2.0.0
-        */
-        explicit json_pointer(const std::string& s = "")
-            : reference_tokens(split(s))
-        {}
+  private:
+    /// remove and return last reference pointer
+    std::string pop_back()
+    {
+      if (is_root())
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("JSON pointer has no parent"));
+      }
 
-        /*!
-        @brief return a string representation of the JSON pointer
+      auto last = reference_tokens.back();
+      reference_tokens.pop_back();
+      return last;
+    }
 
-        @invariant For each JSON pointer `ptr`, it holds:
-        @code {.cpp}
-        ptr == json_pointer(ptr.to_string());
-        @endcode
+    /// return whether pointer points to the root document
+    bool is_root() const { return reference_tokens.empty(); }
 
-        @return a string representation of the JSON pointer
+    json_pointer top() const
+    {
+      if (is_root())
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("JSON pointer has no parent"));
+      }
 
-        @liveexample{The example shows the result of `to_string`.,
-        json_pointer__to_string}
+      json_pointer result = *this;
+      result.reference_tokens = {reference_tokens[0]};
+      return result;
+    }
 
-        @since version 2.0.0
-        */
-        std::string to_string() const noexcept
-        {
-            return std::accumulate(reference_tokens.begin(),
-                                   reference_tokens.end(), std::string{},
-                                   [](const std::string & a, const std::string & b)
-            {
-                return a + "/" + escape(b);
-            });
-        }
+    /*!
+    @brief create and return a reference to the pointed to value
 
-        /// @copydoc to_string()
-        operator std::string() const
-        {
-            return to_string();
-        }
+    @complexity Linear in the number of reference tokens.
+    */
+    reference get_and_create(reference j) const
+    {
+      pointer result = &j;
 
-      private:
-        /// remove and return last reference pointer
-        std::string pop_back()
+      // in case no reference tokens exist, return a reference to the
+      // JSON value j which will be overwritten by a primitive value
+      for (const auto &reference_token : reference_tokens)
+      {
+        switch (result->m_type)
         {
-            if (is_root())
+          case value_t::null:
+          {
+            if (reference_token == "0")
             {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("JSON pointer has no parent"));
+              // start a new array if reference token is 0
+              result = &result->operator[](0);
             }
-
-            auto last = reference_tokens.back();
-            reference_tokens.pop_back();
-            return last;
-        }
-
-        /// return whether pointer points to the root document
-        bool is_root() const
-        {
-            return reference_tokens.empty();
-        }
-
-        json_pointer top() const
-        {
-            if (is_root())
+            else
             {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("JSON pointer has no parent"));
+              // start a new object otherwise
+              result = &result->operator[](reference_token);
             }
+            break;
+          }
 
-            json_pointer result = *this;
-            result.reference_tokens = {reference_tokens[0]};
-            return result;
-        }
+          case value_t::object:
+          {
+            // create an entry in the object
+            result = &result->operator[](reference_token);
+            break;
+          }
 
-        /*!
-        @brief create and return a reference to the pointed to value
+          case value_t::array:
+          {
+            // create an entry in the array
+            result = &result->operator[](
+                static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
+            break;
+          }
 
-        @complexity Linear in the number of reference tokens.
-        */
-        reference get_and_create(reference j) const
-        {
-            pointer result = &j;
+          /*
+          The following code is only reached if there exists a
+          reference token _and_ the current value is primitive. In
+          this case, we have an error situation, because primitive
+          values may only occur as single value; that is, with an
+          empty list of reference tokens.
+          */
+          default:
+          {
+            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("invalid value to unflatten"));
+          }
+        }
+      }
 
-            // in case no reference tokens exist, return a reference to the
-            // JSON value j which will be overwritten by a primitive value
-            for (const auto& reference_token : reference_tokens)
-            {
-                switch (result->m_type)
-                {
-                    case value_t::null:
-                    {
-                        if (reference_token == "0")
-                        {
-                            // start a new array if reference token is 0
-                            result = &result->operator[](0);
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            // start a new object otherwise
-                            result = &result->operator[](reference_token);
-                        }
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    case value_t::object:
-                    {
-                        // create an entry in the object
-                        result = &result->operator[](reference_token);
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    case value_t::array:
-                    {
-                        // create an entry in the array
-                        result = &result->operator[](static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    /*
-                    The following code is only reached if there exists a
-                    reference token _and_ the current value is primitive. In
-                    this case, we have an error situation, because primitive
-                    values may only occur as single value; that is, with an
-                    empty list of reference tokens.
-                    */
-                    default:
-                    {
-                        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("invalid value to unflatten"));
-                    }
-                }
-            }
+      return *result;
+    }
 
-            return *result;
-        }
+    /*!
+    @brief return a reference to the pointed to value
+
+    @note This version does not throw if a value is not present, but tries
+    to create nested values instead. For instance, calling this function
+    with pointer `"/this/that"` on a null value is equivalent to calling
+    `operator[]("this").operator[]("that")` on that value, effectively
+    changing the null value to an object.
 
-        /*!
-        @brief return a reference to the pointed to value
+    @param[in] ptr  a JSON value
 
-        @note This version does not throw if a value is not present, but tries
-        to create nested values instead. For instance, calling this function
-        with pointer `"/this/that"` on a null value is equivalent to calling
-        `operator[]("this").operator[]("that")` on that value, effectively
-        changing the null value to an object.
+    @return reference to the JSON value pointed to by the JSON pointer
 
-        @param[in] ptr  a JSON value
+    @complexity Linear in the length of the JSON pointer.
 
-        @return reference to the JSON value pointed to by the JSON pointer
+    @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
+    @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
+    @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
+    */
+    reference get_unchecked(pointer ptr) const
+    {
+      for (const auto &reference_token : reference_tokens)
+      {
+        // convert null values to arrays or objects before continuing
+        if (ptr->m_type == value_t::null)
+        {
+          // check if reference token is a number
+          const bool nums =
+              std::all_of(reference_token.begin(), reference_token.end(),
+                          [](const char x) { return std::isdigit(x); });
 
-        @complexity Linear in the length of the JSON pointer.
+          // change value to array for numbers or "-" or to object
+          // otherwise
+          if (nums or reference_token == "-")
+          {
+            *ptr = value_t::array;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            *ptr = value_t::object;
+          }
+        }
 
-        @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
-        @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
-        @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
-        */
-        reference get_unchecked(pointer ptr) const
+        switch (ptr->m_type)
         {
-            for (const auto& reference_token : reference_tokens)
+          case value_t::object:
+          {
+            // use unchecked object access
+            ptr = &ptr->operator[](reference_token);
+            break;
+          }
+
+          case value_t::array:
+          {
+            // error condition (cf. RFC 6901, Sect. 4)
+            if (reference_token.size() > 1 and reference_token[0] == '0')
             {
-                // convert null values to arrays or objects before continuing
-                if (ptr->m_type == value_t::null)
-                {
-                    // check if reference token is a number
-                    const bool nums = std::all_of(reference_token.begin(),
-                                                  reference_token.end(),
-                                                  [](const char x)
-                    {
-                        return std::isdigit(x);
-                    });
-
-                    // change value to array for numbers or "-" or to object
-                    // otherwise
-                    if (nums or reference_token == "-")
-                    {
-                        *ptr = value_t::array;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        *ptr = value_t::object;
-                    }
-                }
+              JSON_THROW(
+                  std::domain_error("array index must not begin with '0'"));
+            }
 
-                switch (ptr->m_type)
-                {
-                    case value_t::object:
-                    {
-                        // use unchecked object access
-                        ptr = &ptr->operator[](reference_token);
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    case value_t::array:
-                    {
-                        // error condition (cf. RFC 6901, Sect. 4)
-                        if (reference_token.size() > 1 and reference_token[0] == '0')
-                        {
-                            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("array index must not begin with '0'"));
-                        }
-
-                        if (reference_token == "-")
-                        {
-                            // explicityly treat "-" as index beyond the end
-                            ptr = &ptr->operator[](ptr->m_value.array->size());
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            // convert array index to number; unchecked access
-                            ptr = &ptr->operator[](static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
-                        }
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    default:
-                    {
-                        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("unresolved reference token '" + reference_token + "'"));
-                    }
-                }
+            if (reference_token == "-")
+            {
+              // explicityly treat "-" as index beyond the end
+              ptr = &ptr->operator[](ptr->m_value.array->size());
+            }
+            else
+            {
+              // convert array index to number; unchecked access
+              ptr = &ptr->operator[](
+                  static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
             }
+            break;
+          }
 
-            return *ptr;
+          default:
+          {
+            JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("unresolved reference token '" +
+                                         reference_token + "'"));
+          }
         }
+      }
+
+      return *ptr;
+    }
+
+    reference get_checked(pointer ptr) const
+    {
+      for (const auto &reference_token : reference_tokens)
+      {
+        switch (ptr->m_type)
+        {
+          case value_t::object:
+          {
+            // note: at performs range check
+            ptr = &ptr->at(reference_token);
+            break;
+          }
+
+          case value_t::array:
+          {
+            if (reference_token == "-")
+            {
+              // "-" always fails the range check
+              throw std::out_of_range(
+                  "array index '-' (" +
+                  std::to_string(ptr->m_value.array->size()) +
+                  ") is out of range");
+            }
 
-        reference get_checked(pointer ptr) const
-        {
-            for (const auto& reference_token : reference_tokens)
+            // error condition (cf. RFC 6901, Sect. 4)
+            if (reference_token.size() > 1 and reference_token[0] == '0')
             {
-                switch (ptr->m_type)
-                {
-                    case value_t::object:
-                    {
-                        // note: at performs range check
-                        ptr = &ptr->at(reference_token);
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    case value_t::array:
-                    {
-                        if (reference_token == "-")
-                        {
-                            // "-" always fails the range check
-                            throw std::out_of_range("array index '-' (" +
-                                                    std::to_string(ptr->m_value.array->size()) +
-                                                    ") is out of range");
-                        }
-
-                        // error condition (cf. RFC 6901, Sect. 4)
-                        if (reference_token.size() > 1 and reference_token[0] == '0')
-                        {
-                            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("array index must not begin with '0'"));
-                        }
-
-                        // note: at performs range check
-                        ptr = &ptr->at(static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    default:
-                    {
-                        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("unresolved reference token '" + reference_token + "'"));
-                    }
-                }
+              JSON_THROW(
+                  std::domain_error("array index must not begin with '0'"));
             }
 
-            return *ptr;
+            // note: at performs range check
+            ptr = &ptr->at(static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
+            break;
+          }
+
+          default:
+          {
+            JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("unresolved reference token '" +
+                                         reference_token + "'"));
+          }
         }
+      }
+
+      return *ptr;
+    }
 
-        /*!
-        @brief return a const reference to the pointed to value
+    /*!
+    @brief return a const reference to the pointed to value
 
-        @param[in] ptr  a JSON value
+    @param[in] ptr  a JSON value
 
-        @return const reference to the JSON value pointed to by the JSON
-                pointer
-        */
-        const_reference get_unchecked(const_pointer ptr) const
+    @return const reference to the JSON value pointed to by the JSON
+            pointer
+    */
+    const_reference get_unchecked(const_pointer ptr) const
+    {
+      for (const auto &reference_token : reference_tokens)
+      {
+        switch (ptr->m_type)
         {
-            for (const auto& reference_token : reference_tokens)
+          case value_t::object:
+          {
+            // use unchecked object access
+            ptr = &ptr->operator[](reference_token);
+            break;
+          }
+
+          case value_t::array:
+          {
+            if (reference_token == "-")
             {
-                switch (ptr->m_type)
-                {
-                    case value_t::object:
-                    {
-                        // use unchecked object access
-                        ptr = &ptr->operator[](reference_token);
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    case value_t::array:
-                    {
-                        if (reference_token == "-")
-                        {
-                            // "-" cannot be used for const access
-                            throw std::out_of_range("array index '-' (" +
-                                                    std::to_string(ptr->m_value.array->size()) +
-                                                    ") is out of range");
-                        }
-
-                        // error condition (cf. RFC 6901, Sect. 4)
-                        if (reference_token.size() > 1 and reference_token[0] == '0')
-                        {
-                            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("array index must not begin with '0'"));
-                        }
-
-                        // use unchecked array access
-                        ptr = &ptr->operator[](static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    default:
-                    {
-                        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("unresolved reference token '" + reference_token + "'"));
-                    }
-                }
+              // "-" cannot be used for const access
+              throw std::out_of_range(
+                  "array index '-' (" +
+                  std::to_string(ptr->m_value.array->size()) +
+                  ") is out of range");
             }
 
-            return *ptr;
-        }
-
-        const_reference get_checked(const_pointer ptr) const
-        {
-            for (const auto& reference_token : reference_tokens)
+            // error condition (cf. RFC 6901, Sect. 4)
+            if (reference_token.size() > 1 and reference_token[0] == '0')
             {
-                switch (ptr->m_type)
-                {
-                    case value_t::object:
-                    {
-                        // note: at performs range check
-                        ptr = &ptr->at(reference_token);
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    case value_t::array:
-                    {
-                        if (reference_token == "-")
-                        {
-                            // "-" always fails the range check
-                            throw std::out_of_range("array index '-' (" +
-                                                    std::to_string(ptr->m_value.array->size()) +
-                                                    ") is out of range");
-                        }
-
-                        // error condition (cf. RFC 6901, Sect. 4)
-                        if (reference_token.size() > 1 and reference_token[0] == '0')
-                        {
-                            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("array index must not begin with '0'"));
-                        }
-
-                        // note: at performs range check
-                        ptr = &ptr->at(static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    default:
-                    {
-                        JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("unresolved reference token '" + reference_token + "'"));
-                    }
-                }
+              JSON_THROW(
+                  std::domain_error("array index must not begin with '0'"));
             }
 
-            return *ptr;
+            // use unchecked array access
+            ptr = &ptr->operator[](
+                static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
+            break;
+          }
+
+          default:
+          {
+            JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("unresolved reference token '" +
+                                         reference_token + "'"));
+          }
         }
+      }
+
+      return *ptr;
+    }
 
-        /// split the string input to reference tokens
-        static std::vector<std::string> split(const std::string& reference_string)
+    const_reference get_checked(const_pointer ptr) const
+    {
+      for (const auto &reference_token : reference_tokens)
+      {
+        switch (ptr->m_type)
         {
-            std::vector<std::string> result;
+          case value_t::object:
+          {
+            // note: at performs range check
+            ptr = &ptr->at(reference_token);
+            break;
+          }
 
-            // special case: empty reference string -> no reference tokens
-            if (reference_string.empty())
+          case value_t::array:
+          {
+            if (reference_token == "-")
             {
-                return result;
+              // "-" always fails the range check
+              throw std::out_of_range(
+                  "array index '-' (" +
+                  std::to_string(ptr->m_value.array->size()) +
+                  ") is out of range");
             }
 
-            // check if nonempty reference string begins with slash
-            if (reference_string[0] != '/')
+            // error condition (cf. RFC 6901, Sect. 4)
+            if (reference_token.size() > 1 and reference_token[0] == '0')
             {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("JSON pointer must be empty or begin with '/'"));
+              JSON_THROW(
+                  std::domain_error("array index must not begin with '0'"));
             }
 
-            // extract the reference tokens:
-            // - slash: position of the last read slash (or end of string)
-            // - start: position after the previous slash
-            for (
-                // search for the first slash after the first character
-                size_t slash = reference_string.find_first_of('/', 1),
-                // set the beginning of the first reference token
-                start = 1;
-                // we can stop if start == string::npos+1 = 0
-                start != 0;
-                // set the beginning of the next reference token
-                // (will eventually be 0 if slash == std::string::npos)
-                start = slash + 1,
-                // find next slash
-                slash = reference_string.find_first_of('/', start))
-            {
-                // use the text between the beginning of the reference token
-                // (start) and the last slash (slash).
-                auto reference_token = reference_string.substr(start, slash - start);
-
-                // check reference tokens are properly escaped
-                for (size_t pos = reference_token.find_first_of('~');
-                        pos != std::string::npos;
-                        pos = reference_token.find_first_of('~', pos + 1))
-                {
-                    assert(reference_token[pos] == '~');
-
-                    // ~ must be followed by 0 or 1
-                    if (pos == reference_token.size() - 1 or
-                            (reference_token[pos + 1] != '0' and
-                             reference_token[pos + 1] != '1'))
-                    {
-                        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("escape error: '~' must be followed with '0' or '1'"));
-                    }
-                }
-
-                // finally, store the reference token
-                unescape(reference_token);
-                result.push_back(reference_token);
-            }
+            // note: at performs range check
+            ptr = &ptr->at(static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(reference_token)));
+            break;
+          }
 
-            return result;
+          default:
+          {
+            JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("unresolved reference token '" +
+                                         reference_token + "'"));
+          }
         }
+      }
+
+      return *ptr;
+    }
+
+    /// split the string input to reference tokens
+    static std::vector<std::string> split(const std::string &reference_string)
+    {
+      std::vector<std::string> result;
 
-      private:
-        /*!
-        @brief replace all occurrences of a substring by another string
+      // special case: empty reference string -> no reference tokens
+      if (reference_string.empty())
+      {
+        return result;
+      }
+
+      // check if nonempty reference string begins with slash
+      if (reference_string[0] != '/')
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(
+            std::domain_error("JSON pointer must be empty or begin with '/'"));
+      }
+
+      // extract the reference tokens:
+      // - slash: position of the last read slash (or end of string)
+      // - start: position after the previous slash
+      for (
+          // search for the first slash after the first character
+          size_t slash = reference_string.find_first_of('/', 1),
+                 // set the beginning of the first reference token
+          start = 1;
+          // we can stop if start == string::npos+1 = 0
+          start != 0;
+          // set the beginning of the next reference token
+          // (will eventually be 0 if slash == std::string::npos)
+          start = slash + 1,
+                 // find next slash
+          slash = reference_string.find_first_of('/', start))
+      {
+        // use the text between the beginning of the reference token
+        // (start) and the last slash (slash).
+        auto reference_token = reference_string.substr(start, slash - start);
+
+        // check reference tokens are properly escaped
+        for (size_t pos = reference_token.find_first_of('~');
+             pos != std::string::npos;
+             pos = reference_token.find_first_of('~', pos + 1))
+        {
+          assert(reference_token[pos] == '~');
+
+          // ~ must be followed by 0 or 1
+          if (pos == reference_token.size() - 1 or
+              (reference_token[pos + 1] != '0' and
+               reference_token[pos + 1] != '1'))
+          {
+            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error(
+                "escape error: '~' must be followed with '0' or '1'"));
+          }
+        }
+
+        // finally, store the reference token
+        unescape(reference_token);
+        result.push_back(reference_token);
+      }
+
+      return result;
+    }
 
-        @param[in,out] s  the string to manipulate; changed so that all
-                          occurrences of @a f are replaced with @a t
-        @param[in]     f  the substring to replace with @a t
-        @param[in]     t  the string to replace @a f
+  private:
+    /*!
+    @brief replace all occurrences of a substring by another string
 
-        @pre The search string @a f must not be empty.
+    @param[in,out] s  the string to manipulate; changed so that all
+                      occurrences of @a f are replaced with @a t
+    @param[in]     f  the substring to replace with @a t
+    @param[in]     t  the string to replace @a f
 
-        @since version 2.0.0
-        */
-        static void replace_substring(std::string& s,
-                                      const std::string& f,
-                                      const std::string& t)
-        {
-            assert(not f.empty());
+    @pre The search string @a f must not be empty.
 
-            for (
-                size_t pos = s.find(f);         // find first occurrence of f
-                pos != std::string::npos;       // make sure f was found
-                s.replace(pos, f.size(), t),    // replace with t
-                pos = s.find(f, pos + t.size()) // find next occurrence of f
-            );
-        }
+    @since version 2.0.0
+    */
+    static void replace_substring(std::string &s, const std::string &f,
+                                  const std::string &t)
+    {
+      assert(not f.empty());
 
-        /// escape tilde and slash
-        static std::string escape(std::string s)
-        {
-            // escape "~"" to "~0" and "/" to "~1"
-            replace_substring(s, "~", "~0");
-            replace_substring(s, "/", "~1");
-            return s;
-        }
+      for (size_t pos = s.find(f);         // find first occurrence of f
+           pos != std::string::npos;       // make sure f was found
+           s.replace(pos, f.size(), t),    // replace with t
+           pos = s.find(f, pos + t.size()) // find next occurrence of f
+           )
+        ;
+    }
 
-        /// unescape tilde and slash
-        static void unescape(std::string& s)
-        {
-            // first transform any occurrence of the sequence '~1' to '/'
-            replace_substring(s, "~1", "/");
-            // then transform any occurrence of the sequence '~0' to '~'
-            replace_substring(s, "~0", "~");
-        }
+    /// escape tilde and slash
+    static std::string escape(std::string s)
+    {
+      // escape "~"" to "~0" and "/" to "~1"
+      replace_substring(s, "~", "~0");
+      replace_substring(s, "/", "~1");
+      return s;
+    }
 
-        /*!
-        @param[in] reference_string  the reference string to the current value
-        @param[in] value             the value to consider
-        @param[in,out] result        the result object to insert values to
+    /// unescape tilde and slash
+    static void unescape(std::string &s)
+    {
+      // first transform any occurrence of the sequence '~1' to '/'
+      replace_substring(s, "~1", "/");
+      // then transform any occurrence of the sequence '~0' to '~'
+      replace_substring(s, "~0", "~");
+    }
+
+    /*!
+    @param[in] reference_string  the reference string to the current value
+    @param[in] value             the value to consider
+    @param[in,out] result        the result object to insert values to
 
-        @note Empty objects or arrays are flattened to `null`.
-        */
-        static void flatten(const std::string& reference_string,
-                            const basic_json& value,
-                            basic_json& result)
+    @note Empty objects or arrays are flattened to `null`.
+    */
+    static void flatten(const std::string &reference_string,
+                        const basic_json &value, basic_json &result)
+    {
+      switch (value.m_type)
+      {
+        case value_t::array:
         {
-            switch (value.m_type)
+          if (value.m_value.array->empty())
+          {
+            // flatten empty array as null
+            result[reference_string] = nullptr;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            // iterate array and use index as reference string
+            for (size_t i = 0; i < value.m_value.array->size(); ++i)
             {
-                case value_t::array:
-                {
-                    if (value.m_value.array->empty())
-                    {
-                        // flatten empty array as null
-                        result[reference_string] = nullptr;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        // iterate array and use index as reference string
-                        for (size_t i = 0; i < value.m_value.array->size(); ++i)
-                        {
-                            flatten(reference_string + "/" + std::to_string(i),
-                                    value.m_value.array->operator[](i), result);
-                        }
-                    }
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                case value_t::object:
-                {
-                    if (value.m_value.object->empty())
-                    {
-                        // flatten empty object as null
-                        result[reference_string] = nullptr;
-                    }
-                    else
-                    {
-                        // iterate object and use keys as reference string
-                        for (const auto& element : *value.m_value.object)
-                        {
-                            flatten(reference_string + "/" + escape(element.first),
-                                    element.second, result);
-                        }
-                    }
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    // add primitive value with its reference string
-                    result[reference_string] = value;
-                    break;
-                }
+              flatten(reference_string + "/" + std::to_string(i),
+                      value.m_value.array->operator[](i), result);
             }
+          }
+          break;
         }
 
-        /*!
-        @param[in] value  flattened JSON
-
-        @return unflattened JSON
-        */
-        static basic_json unflatten(const basic_json& value)
+        case value_t::object:
         {
-            if (not value.is_object())
+          if (value.m_value.object->empty())
+          {
+            // flatten empty object as null
+            result[reference_string] = nullptr;
+          }
+          else
+          {
+            // iterate object and use keys as reference string
+            for (const auto &element : *value.m_value.object)
             {
-                JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("only objects can be unflattened"));
+              flatten(reference_string + "/" + escape(element.first),
+                      element.second, result);
             }
+          }
+          break;
+        }
 
-            basic_json result;
+        default:
+        {
+          // add primitive value with its reference string
+          result[reference_string] = value;
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    }
 
-            // iterate the JSON object values
-            for (const auto& element : *value.m_value.object)
-            {
-                if (not element.second.is_primitive())
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("values in object must be primitive"));
-                }
+    /*!
+    @param[in] value  flattened JSON
 
-                // assign value to reference pointed to by JSON pointer; Note
-                // that if the JSON pointer is "" (i.e., points to the whole
-                // value), function get_and_create returns a reference to
-                // result itself. An assignment will then create a primitive
-                // value.
-                json_pointer(element.first).get_and_create(result) = element.second;
-            }
+    @return unflattened JSON
+    */
+    static basic_json unflatten(const basic_json &value)
+    {
+      if (not value.is_object())
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("only objects can be unflattened"));
+      }
 
-            return result;
+      basic_json result;
+
+      // iterate the JSON object values
+      for (const auto &element : *value.m_value.object)
+      {
+        if (not element.second.is_primitive())
+        {
+          JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("values in object must be primitive"));
         }
 
-      private:
-        /// the reference tokens
-        std::vector<std::string> reference_tokens {};
-    };
+        // assign value to reference pointed to by JSON pointer; Note
+        // that if the JSON pointer is "" (i.e., points to the whole
+        // value), function get_and_create returns a reference to
+        // result itself. An assignment will then create a primitive
+        // value.
+        json_pointer(element.first).get_and_create(result) = element.second;
+      }
 
-    //////////////////////////
-    // JSON Pointer support //
-    //////////////////////////
+      return result;
+    }
 
-    /// @name JSON Pointer functions
-    /// @{
+  private:
+    /// the reference tokens
+    std::vector<std::string> reference_tokens{};
+  };
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified element via JSON Pointer
+  //////////////////////////
+  // JSON Pointer support //
+  //////////////////////////
 
-    Uses a JSON pointer to retrieve a reference to the respective JSON value.
-    No bound checking is performed. Similar to @ref operator[](const typename
-    object_t::key_type&), `null` values are created in arrays and objects if
-    necessary.
+  /// @name JSON Pointer functions
+  /// @{
 
-    In particular:
-    - If the JSON pointer points to an object key that does not exist, it
-      is created an filled with a `null` value before a reference to it
-      is returned.
-    - If the JSON pointer points to an array index that does not exist, it
-      is created an filled with a `null` value before a reference to it
-      is returned. All indices between the current maximum and the given
-      index are also filled with `null`.
-    - The special value `-` is treated as a synonym for the index past the
-      end.
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified element via JSON Pointer
 
-    @param[in] ptr  a JSON pointer
+  Uses a JSON pointer to retrieve a reference to the respective JSON value.
+  No bound checking is performed. Similar to @ref operator[](const typename
+  object_t::key_type&), `null` values are created in arrays and objects if
+  necessary.
 
-    @return reference to the element pointed to by @a ptr
+  In particular:
+  - If the JSON pointer points to an object key that does not exist, it
+    is created an filled with a `null` value before a reference to it
+    is returned.
+  - If the JSON pointer points to an array index that does not exist, it
+    is created an filled with a `null` value before a reference to it
+    is returned. All indices between the current maximum and the given
+    index are also filled with `null`.
+  - The special value `-` is treated as a synonym for the index past the
+    end.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @param[in] ptr  a JSON pointer
 
-    @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
-    @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
-    @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
+  @return reference to the element pointed to by @a ptr
 
-    @liveexample{The behavior is shown in the example.,operatorjson_pointer}
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    reference operator[](const json_pointer& ptr)
-    {
-        return ptr.get_unchecked(this);
-    }
+  @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
+  @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
+  @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified element via JSON Pointer
+  @liveexample{The behavior is shown in the example.,operatorjson_pointer}
 
-    Uses a JSON pointer to retrieve a reference to the respective JSON value.
-    No bound checking is performed. The function does not change the JSON
-    value; no `null` values are created. In particular, the the special value
-    `-` yields an exception.
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  reference operator[](const json_pointer &ptr)
+  {
+    return ptr.get_unchecked(this);
+  }
 
-    @param[in] ptr  JSON pointer to the desired element
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified element via JSON Pointer
 
-    @return const reference to the element pointed to by @a ptr
+  Uses a JSON pointer to retrieve a reference to the respective JSON value.
+  No bound checking is performed. The function does not change the JSON
+  value; no `null` values are created. In particular, the the special value
+  `-` yields an exception.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @param[in] ptr  JSON pointer to the desired element
 
-    @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
-    @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
-    @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
+  @return const reference to the element pointed to by @a ptr
 
-    @liveexample{The behavior is shown in the example.,operatorjson_pointer_const}
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    const_reference operator[](const json_pointer& ptr) const
-    {
-        return ptr.get_unchecked(this);
-    }
+  @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
+  @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
+  @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified element via JSON Pointer
+  @liveexample{The behavior is shown in the example.,operatorjson_pointer_const}
 
-    Returns a reference to the element at with specified JSON pointer @a ptr,
-    with bounds checking.
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  const_reference operator[](const json_pointer &ptr) const
+  {
+    return ptr.get_unchecked(this);
+  }
 
-    @param[in] ptr  JSON pointer to the desired element
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified element via JSON Pointer
 
-    @return reference to the element pointed to by @a ptr
+  Returns a reference to the element at with specified JSON pointer @a ptr,
+  with bounds checking.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @param[in] ptr  JSON pointer to the desired element
 
-    @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
-    @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
-    @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
+  @return reference to the element pointed to by @a ptr
 
-    @liveexample{The behavior is shown in the example.,at_json_pointer}
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    reference at(const json_pointer& ptr)
-    {
-        return ptr.get_checked(this);
-    }
+  @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
+  @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
+  @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
 
-    /*!
-    @brief access specified element via JSON Pointer
+  @liveexample{The behavior is shown in the example.,at_json_pointer}
 
-    Returns a const reference to the element at with specified JSON pointer @a
-    ptr, with bounds checking.
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  reference at(const json_pointer &ptr) { return ptr.get_checked(this); }
 
-    @param[in] ptr  JSON pointer to the desired element
+  /*!
+  @brief access specified element via JSON Pointer
 
-    @return reference to the element pointed to by @a ptr
+  Returns a const reference to the element at with specified JSON pointer @a
+  ptr, with bounds checking.
 
-    @complexity Constant.
+  @param[in] ptr  JSON pointer to the desired element
 
-    @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
-    @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
-    @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
+  @return reference to the element pointed to by @a ptr
 
-    @liveexample{The behavior is shown in the example.,at_json_pointer_const}
+  @complexity Constant.
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    const_reference at(const json_pointer& ptr) const
-    {
-        return ptr.get_checked(this);
-    }
+  @throw std::out_of_range      if the JSON pointer can not be resolved
+  @throw std::domain_error      if an array index begins with '0'
+  @throw std::invalid_argument  if an array index was not a number
 
-    /*!
-    @brief return flattened JSON value
+  @liveexample{The behavior is shown in the example.,at_json_pointer_const}
 
-    The function creates a JSON object whose keys are JSON pointers (see [RFC
-    6901](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901)) and whose values are all
-    primitive. The original JSON value can be restored using the @ref
-    unflatten() function.
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  const_reference at(const json_pointer &ptr) const
+  {
+    return ptr.get_checked(this);
+  }
 
-    @return an object that maps JSON pointers to primitve values
+  /*!
+  @brief return flattened JSON value
 
-    @note Empty objects and arrays are flattened to `null` and will not be
-          reconstructed correctly by the @ref unflatten() function.
+  The function creates a JSON object whose keys are JSON pointers (see [RFC
+  6901](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901)) and whose values are all
+  primitive. The original JSON value can be restored using the @ref
+  unflatten() function.
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size the JSON value.
+  @return an object that maps JSON pointers to primitve values
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows how a JSON object is flattened to an
-    object whose keys consist of JSON pointers.,flatten}
+  @note Empty objects and arrays are flattened to `null` and will not be
+        reconstructed correctly by the @ref unflatten() function.
 
-    @sa @ref unflatten() for the reverse function
+  @complexity Linear in the size the JSON value.
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json flatten() const
-    {
-        basic_json result(value_t::object);
-        json_pointer::flatten("", *this, result);
-        return result;
-    }
+  @liveexample{The following code shows how a JSON object is flattened to an
+  object whose keys consist of JSON pointers.,flatten}
 
-    /*!
-    @brief unflatten a previously flattened JSON value
+  @sa @ref unflatten() for the reverse function
 
-    The function restores the arbitrary nesting of a JSON value that has been
-    flattened before using the @ref flatten() function. The JSON value must
-    meet certain constraints:
-    1. The value must be an object.
-    2. The keys must be JSON pointers (see
-       [RFC 6901](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901))
-    3. The mapped values must be primitive JSON types.
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json flatten() const
+  {
+    basic_json result(value_t::object);
+    json_pointer::flatten("", *this, result);
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    @return the original JSON from a flattened version
+  /*!
+  @brief unflatten a previously flattened JSON value
 
-    @note Empty objects and arrays are flattened by @ref flatten() to `null`
-          values and can not unflattened to their original type. Apart from
-          this example, for a JSON value `j`, the following is always true:
-          `j == j.flatten().unflatten()`.
+  The function restores the arbitrary nesting of a JSON value that has been
+  flattened before using the @ref flatten() function. The JSON value must
+  meet certain constraints:
+  1. The value must be an object.
+  2. The keys must be JSON pointers (see
+     [RFC 6901](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901))
+  3. The mapped values must be primitive JSON types.
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size the JSON value.
+  @return the original JSON from a flattened version
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows how a flattened JSON object is
-    unflattened into the original nested JSON object.,unflatten}
+  @note Empty objects and arrays are flattened by @ref flatten() to `null`
+        values and can not unflattened to their original type. Apart from
+        this example, for a JSON value `j`, the following is always true:
+        `j == j.flatten().unflatten()`.
 
-    @sa @ref flatten() for the reverse function
+  @complexity Linear in the size the JSON value.
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json unflatten() const
-    {
-        return json_pointer::unflatten(*this);
-    }
+  @liveexample{The following code shows how a flattened JSON object is
+  unflattened into the original nested JSON object.,unflatten}
 
-    /// @}
+  @sa @ref flatten() for the reverse function
 
-    //////////////////////////
-    // JSON Patch functions //
-    //////////////////////////
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json unflatten() const { return json_pointer::unflatten(*this); }
 
-    /// @name JSON Patch functions
-    /// @{
+  /// @}
 
-    /*!
-    @brief applies a JSON patch
+  //////////////////////////
+  // JSON Patch functions //
+  //////////////////////////
 
-    [JSON Patch](http://jsonpatch.com) defines a JSON document structure for
-    expressing a sequence of operations to apply to a JSON) document. With
-    this funcion, a JSON Patch is applied to the current JSON value by
-    executing all operations from the patch.
+  /// @name JSON Patch functions
+  /// @{
 
-    @param[in] json_patch  JSON patch document
-    @return patched document
+  /*!
+  @brief applies a JSON patch
 
-    @note The application of a patch is atomic: Either all operations succeed
-          and the patched document is returned or an exception is thrown. In
-          any case, the original value is not changed: the patch is applied
-          to a copy of the value.
+  [JSON Patch](http://jsonpatch.com) defines a JSON document structure for
+  expressing a sequence of operations to apply to a JSON) document. With
+  this funcion, a JSON Patch is applied to the current JSON value by
+  executing all operations from the patch.
 
-    @throw std::out_of_range if a JSON pointer inside the patch could not
-    be resolved successfully in the current JSON value; example: `"key baz
-    not found"`
-    @throw invalid_argument if the JSON patch is malformed (e.g., mandatory
-    attributes are missing); example: `"operation add must have member path"`
+  @param[in] json_patch  JSON patch document
+  @return patched document
 
-    @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value and the length of the
-    JSON patch. As usually only a fraction of the JSON value is affected by
-    the patch, the complexity can usually be neglected.
+  @note The application of a patch is atomic: Either all operations succeed
+        and the patched document is returned or an exception is thrown. In
+        any case, the original value is not changed: the patch is applied
+        to a copy of the value.
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows how a JSON patch is applied to a
-    value.,patch}
+  @throw std::out_of_range if a JSON pointer inside the patch could not
+  be resolved successfully in the current JSON value; example: `"key baz
+  not found"`
+  @throw invalid_argument if the JSON patch is malformed (e.g., mandatory
+  attributes are missing); example: `"operation add must have member path"`
 
-    @sa @ref diff -- create a JSON patch by comparing two JSON values
+  @complexity Linear in the size of the JSON value and the length of the
+  JSON patch. As usually only a fraction of the JSON value is affected by
+  the patch, the complexity can usually be neglected.
 
-    @sa [RFC 6902 (JSON Patch)](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6902)
-    @sa [RFC 6901 (JSON Pointer)](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901)
+  @liveexample{The following code shows how a JSON patch is applied to a
+  value.,patch}
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    basic_json patch(const basic_json& json_patch) const
+  @sa @ref diff -- create a JSON patch by comparing two JSON values
+
+  @sa [RFC 6902 (JSON Patch)](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6902)
+  @sa [RFC 6901 (JSON Pointer)](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6901)
+
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  basic_json patch(const basic_json &json_patch) const
+  {
+    // make a working copy to apply the patch to
+    basic_json result = *this;
+
+    // the valid JSON Patch operations
+    enum class patch_operations
     {
-        // make a working copy to apply the patch to
-        basic_json result = *this;
+      add,
+      remove,
+      replace,
+      move,
+      copy,
+      test,
+      invalid
+    };
 
-        // the valid JSON Patch operations
-        enum class patch_operations {add, remove, replace, move, copy, test, invalid};
+    const auto get_op = [](const std::string op) {
+      if (op == "add")
+      {
+        return patch_operations::add;
+      }
+      if (op == "remove")
+      {
+        return patch_operations::remove;
+      }
+      if (op == "replace")
+      {
+        return patch_operations::replace;
+      }
+      if (op == "move")
+      {
+        return patch_operations::move;
+      }
+      if (op == "copy")
+      {
+        return patch_operations::copy;
+      }
+      if (op == "test")
+      {
+        return patch_operations::test;
+      }
+
+      return patch_operations::invalid;
+    };
 
-        const auto get_op = [](const std::string op)
+    // wrapper for "add" operation; add value at ptr
+    const auto operation_add = [&result](json_pointer &ptr, basic_json val) {
+      // adding to the root of the target document means replacing it
+      if (ptr.is_root())
+      {
+        result = val;
+      }
+      else
+      {
+        // make sure the top element of the pointer exists
+        json_pointer top_pointer = ptr.top();
+        if (top_pointer != ptr)
         {
-            if (op == "add")
-            {
-                return patch_operations::add;
-            }
-            if (op == "remove")
-            {
-                return patch_operations::remove;
-            }
-            if (op == "replace")
-            {
-                return patch_operations::replace;
-            }
-            if (op == "move")
-            {
-                return patch_operations::move;
-            }
-            if (op == "copy")
-            {
-                return patch_operations::copy;
-            }
-            if (op == "test")
-            {
-                return patch_operations::test;
-            }
+          result.at(top_pointer);
+        }
 
-            return patch_operations::invalid;
-        };
+        // get reference to parent of JSON pointer ptr
+        const auto last_path = ptr.pop_back();
+        basic_json &parent = result[ptr];
 
-        // wrapper for "add" operation; add value at ptr
-        const auto operation_add = [&result](json_pointer & ptr, basic_json val)
+        switch (parent.m_type)
         {
-            // adding to the root of the target document means replacing it
-            if (ptr.is_root())
+          case value_t::null:
+          case value_t::object:
+          {
+            // use operator[] to add value
+            parent[last_path] = val;
+            break;
+          }
+
+          case value_t::array:
+          {
+            if (last_path == "-")
             {
-                result = val;
+              // special case: append to back
+              parent.push_back(val);
             }
             else
             {
-                // make sure the top element of the pointer exists
-                json_pointer top_pointer = ptr.top();
-                if (top_pointer != ptr)
-                {
-                    result.at(top_pointer);
-                }
-
-                // get reference to parent of JSON pointer ptr
-                const auto last_path = ptr.pop_back();
-                basic_json& parent = result[ptr];
+              const auto idx = std::stoi(last_path);
+              if (static_cast<size_type>(idx) > parent.size())
+              {
+                // avoid undefined behavior
+                JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range(
+                    "array index " + std::to_string(idx) + " is out of range"));
+              }
+              else
+              {
+                // default case: insert add offset
+                parent.insert(
+                    parent.begin() + static_cast<difference_type>(idx), val);
+              }
+            }
+            break;
+          }
+
+          default:
+          {
+            // if there exists a parent it cannot be primitive
+            assert(false); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    };
 
-                switch (parent.m_type)
-                {
-                    case value_t::null:
-                    case value_t::object:
-                    {
-                        // use operator[] to add value
-                        parent[last_path] = val;
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    case value_t::array:
-                    {
-                        if (last_path == "-")
-                        {
-                            // special case: append to back
-                            parent.push_back(val);
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            const auto idx = std::stoi(last_path);
-                            if (static_cast<size_type>(idx) > parent.size())
-                            {
-                                // avoid undefined behavior
-                                JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("array index " + std::to_string(idx) + " is out of range"));
-                            }
-                            else
-                            {
-                                // default case: insert add offset
-                                parent.insert(parent.begin() + static_cast<difference_type>(idx), val);
-                            }
-                        }
-                        break;
-                    }
-
-                    default:
-                    {
-                        // if there exists a parent it cannot be primitive
-                        assert(false);  // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        };
+    // wrapper for "remove" operation; remove value at ptr
+    const auto operation_remove = [&result](json_pointer &ptr) {
+      // get reference to parent of JSON pointer ptr
+      const auto last_path = ptr.pop_back();
+      basic_json &parent = result.at(ptr);
 
-        // wrapper for "remove" operation; remove value at ptr
-        const auto operation_remove = [&result](json_pointer & ptr)
+      // remove child
+      if (parent.is_object())
+      {
+        // perform range check
+        auto it = parent.find(last_path);
+        if (it != parent.end())
         {
-            // get reference to parent of JSON pointer ptr
-            const auto last_path = ptr.pop_back();
-            basic_json& parent = result.at(ptr);
+          parent.erase(it);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+          JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("key '" + last_path + "' not found"));
+        }
+      }
+      else if (parent.is_array())
+      {
+        // note erase performs range check
+        parent.erase(static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(last_path)));
+      }
+    };
 
-            // remove child
-            if (parent.is_object())
-            {
-                // perform range check
-                auto it = parent.find(last_path);
-                if (it != parent.end())
-                {
-                    parent.erase(it);
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::out_of_range("key '" + last_path + "' not found"));
-                }
-            }
-            else if (parent.is_array())
-            {
-                // note erase performs range check
-                parent.erase(static_cast<size_type>(std::stoi(last_path)));
-            }
-        };
+    // type check
+    if (not json_patch.is_array())
+    {
+      // a JSON patch must be an array of objects
+      JSON_THROW(
+          std::invalid_argument("JSON patch must be an array of objects"));
+    }
+
+    // iterate and apply th eoperations
+    for (const auto &val : json_patch)
+    {
+      // wrapper to get a value for an operation
+      const auto get_value = [&val](const std::string &op,
+                                    const std::string &member,
+                                    bool string_type) -> basic_json & {
+        // find value
+        auto it = val.m_value.object->find(member);
+
+        // context-sensitive error message
+        const auto error_msg =
+            (op == "op") ? "operation" : "operation '" + op + "'";
 
-        // type check
-        if (not json_patch.is_array())
+        // check if desired value is present
+        if (it == val.m_value.object->end())
         {
-            // a JSON patch must be an array of objects
-            JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("JSON patch must be an array of objects"));
+          JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(error_msg + " must have member '" +
+                                           member + "'"));
         }
 
-        // iterate and apply th eoperations
-        for (const auto& val : json_patch)
+        // check if result is of type string
+        if (string_type and not it->second.is_string())
         {
-            // wrapper to get a value for an operation
-            const auto get_value = [&val](const std::string & op,
-                                          const std::string & member,
-                                          bool string_type) -> basic_json&
-            {
-                // find value
-                auto it = val.m_value.object->find(member);
+          JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(
+              error_msg + " must have string member '" + member + "'"));
+        }
 
-                // context-sensitive error message
-                const auto error_msg = (op == "op") ? "operation" : "operation '" + op + "'";
+        // no error: return value
+        return it->second;
+      };
 
-                // check if desired value is present
-                if (it == val.m_value.object->end())
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(error_msg + " must have member '" + member + "'"));
-                }
+      // type check
+      if (not val.is_object())
+      {
+        JSON_THROW(
+            std::invalid_argument("JSON patch must be an array of objects"));
+      }
 
-                // check if result is of type string
-                if (string_type and not it->second.is_string())
-                {
-                    JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument(error_msg + " must have string member '" + member + "'"));
-                }
+      // collect mandatory members
+      const std::string op = get_value("op", "op", true);
+      const std::string path = get_value(op, "path", true);
+      json_pointer ptr(path);
 
-                // no error: return value
-                return it->second;
-            };
+      switch (get_op(op))
+      {
+        case patch_operations::add:
+        {
+          operation_add(ptr, get_value("add", "value", false));
+          break;
+        }
 
-            // type check
-            if (not val.is_object())
-            {
-                JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("JSON patch must be an array of objects"));
-            }
+        case patch_operations::remove:
+        {
+          operation_remove(ptr);
+          break;
+        }
 
-            // collect mandatory members
-            const std::string op = get_value("op", "op", true);
-            const std::string path = get_value(op, "path", true);
-            json_pointer ptr(path);
+        case patch_operations::replace:
+        {
+          // the "path" location must exist - use at()
+          result.at(ptr) = get_value("replace", "value", false);
+          break;
+        }
 
-            switch (get_op(op))
-            {
-                case patch_operations::add:
-                {
-                    operation_add(ptr, get_value("add", "value", false));
-                    break;
-                }
+        case patch_operations::move:
+        {
+          const std::string from_path = get_value("move", "from", true);
+          json_pointer from_ptr(from_path);
 
-                case patch_operations::remove:
-                {
-                    operation_remove(ptr);
-                    break;
-                }
+          // the "from" location must exist - use at()
+          basic_json v = result.at(from_ptr);
 
-                case patch_operations::replace:
-                {
-                    // the "path" location must exist - use at()
-                    result.at(ptr) = get_value("replace", "value", false);
-                    break;
-                }
+          // The move operation is functionally identical to a
+          // "remove" operation on the "from" location, followed
+          // immediately by an "add" operation at the target
+          // location with the value that was just removed.
+          operation_remove(from_ptr);
+          operation_add(ptr, v);
+          break;
+        }
 
-                case patch_operations::move:
-                {
-                    const std::string from_path = get_value("move", "from", true);
-                    json_pointer from_ptr(from_path);
-
-                    // the "from" location must exist - use at()
-                    basic_json v = result.at(from_ptr);
-
-                    // The move operation is functionally identical to a
-                    // "remove" operation on the "from" location, followed
-                    // immediately by an "add" operation at the target
-                    // location with the value that was just removed.
-                    operation_remove(from_ptr);
-                    operation_add(ptr, v);
-                    break;
-                }
+        case patch_operations::copy:
+        {
+          const std::string from_path = get_value("copy", "from", true);
+          ;
+          const json_pointer from_ptr(from_path);
 
-                case patch_operations::copy:
-                {
-                    const std::string from_path = get_value("copy", "from", true);;
-                    const json_pointer from_ptr(from_path);
+          // the "from" location must exist - use at()
+          result[ptr] = result.at(from_ptr);
+          break;
+        }
 
-                    // the "from" location must exist - use at()
-                    result[ptr] = result.at(from_ptr);
-                    break;
-                }
+        case patch_operations::test:
+        {
+          bool success = false;
+          JSON_TRY
+          {
+            // check if "value" matches the one at "path"
+            // the "path" location must exist - use at()
+            success = (result.at(ptr) == get_value("test", "value", false));
+          }
+          JSON_CATCH(std::out_of_range &)
+          {
+            // ignore out of range errors: success remains false
+          }
 
-                case patch_operations::test:
-                {
-                    bool success = false;
-                    JSON_TRY
-                    {
-                        // check if "value" matches the one at "path"
-                        // the "path" location must exist - use at()
-                        success = (result.at(ptr) == get_value("test", "value", false));
-                    }
-                    JSON_CATCH (std::out_of_range&)
-                    {
-                        // ignore out of range errors: success remains false
-                    }
-
-                    // throw an exception if test fails
-                    if (not success)
-                    {
-                        JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("unsuccessful: " + val.dump()));
-                    }
-
-                    break;
-                }
+          // throw an exception if test fails
+          if (not success)
+          {
+            JSON_THROW(std::domain_error("unsuccessful: " + val.dump()));
+          }
 
-                case patch_operations::invalid:
-                {
-                    // op must be "add", "remove", "replace", "move", "copy", or
-                    // "test"
-                    JSON_THROW(std::invalid_argument("operation value '" + op + "' is invalid"));
-                }
-            }
+          break;
         }
 
-        return result;
+        case patch_operations::invalid:
+        {
+          // op must be "add", "remove", "replace", "move", "copy", or
+          // "test"
+          JSON_THROW(
+              std::invalid_argument("operation value '" + op + "' is invalid"));
+        }
+      }
     }
 
-    /*!
-    @brief creates a diff as a JSON patch
+    return result;
+  }
 
-    Creates a [JSON Patch](http://jsonpatch.com) so that value @a source can
-    be changed into the value @a target by calling @ref patch function.
+  /*!
+  @brief creates a diff as a JSON patch
 
-    @invariant For two JSON values @a source and @a target, the following code
-    yields always `true`:
-    @code {.cpp}
-    source.patch(diff(source, target)) == target;
-    @endcode
+  Creates a [JSON Patch](http://jsonpatch.com) so that value @a source can
+  be changed into the value @a target by calling @ref patch function.
 
-    @note Currently, only `remove`, `add`, and `replace` operations are
-          generated.
+  @invariant For two JSON values @a source and @a target, the following code
+  yields always `true`:
+  @code {.cpp}
+  source.patch(diff(source, target)) == target;
+  @endcode
 
-    @param[in] source  JSON value to copare from
-    @param[in] target  JSON value to copare against
-    @param[in] path    helper value to create JSON pointers
+  @note Currently, only `remove`, `add`, and `replace` operations are
+        generated.
 
-    @return a JSON patch to convert the @a source to @a target
+  @param[in] source  JSON value to copare from
+  @param[in] target  JSON value to copare against
+  @param[in] path    helper value to create JSON pointers
 
-    @complexity Linear in the lengths of @a source and @a target.
+  @return a JSON patch to convert the @a source to @a target
 
-    @liveexample{The following code shows how a JSON patch is created as a
-    diff for two JSON values.,diff}
+  @complexity Linear in the lengths of @a source and @a target.
 
-    @sa @ref patch -- apply a JSON patch
+  @liveexample{The following code shows how a JSON patch is created as a
+  diff for two JSON values.,diff}
 
-    @sa [RFC 6902 (JSON Patch)](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6902)
+  @sa @ref patch -- apply a JSON patch
 
-    @since version 2.0.0
-    */
-    static basic_json diff(const basic_json& source,
-                           const basic_json& target,
-                           const std::string& path = "")
+  @sa [RFC 6902 (JSON Patch)](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6902)
+
+  @since version 2.0.0
+  */
+  static basic_json diff(const basic_json &source, const basic_json &target,
+                         const std::string &path = "")
+  {
+    // the patch
+    basic_json result(value_t::array);
+
+    // if the values are the same, return empty patch
+    if (source == target)
     {
-        // the patch
-        basic_json result(value_t::array);
+      return result;
+    }
 
-        // if the values are the same, return empty patch
-        if (source == target)
+    if (source.type() != target.type())
+    {
+      // different types: replace value
+      result.push_back({{"op", "replace"}, {"path", path}, {"value", target}});
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      switch (source.type())
+      {
+        case value_t::array:
         {
-            return result;
+          // first pass: traverse common elements
+          size_t i = 0;
+          while (i < source.size() and i < target.size())
+          {
+            // recursive call to compare array values at index i
+            auto temp_diff =
+                diff(source[i], target[i], path + "/" + std::to_string(i));
+            result.insert(result.end(), temp_diff.begin(), temp_diff.end());
+            ++i;
+          }
+
+          // i now reached the end of at least one array
+          // in a second pass, traverse the remaining elements
+
+          // remove my remaining elements
+          const auto end_index = static_cast<difference_type>(result.size());
+          while (i < source.size())
+          {
+            // add operations in reverse order to avoid invalid
+            // indices
+            result.insert(result.begin() + end_index,
+                          object({{"op", "remove"},
+                                  {"path", path + "/" + std::to_string(i)}}));
+            ++i;
+          }
+
+          // add other remaining elements
+          while (i < target.size())
+          {
+            result.push_back({{"op", "add"},
+                              {"path", path + "/" + std::to_string(i)},
+                              {"value", target[i]}});
+            ++i;
+          }
+
+          break;
         }
 
-        if (source.type() != target.type())
+        case value_t::object:
         {
-            // different types: replace value
-            result.push_back(
+          // first pass: traverse this object's elements
+          for (auto it = source.begin(); it != source.end(); ++it)
+          {
+            // escape the key name to be used in a JSON patch
+            const auto key = json_pointer::escape(it.key());
+
+            if (target.find(it.key()) != target.end())
             {
-                {"op", "replace"},
-                {"path", path},
-                {"value", target}
-            });
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            switch (source.type())
+              // recursive call to compare object values at key it
+              auto temp_diff =
+                  diff(it.value(), target[it.key()], path + "/" + key);
+              result.insert(result.end(), temp_diff.begin(), temp_diff.end());
+            }
+            else
             {
-                case value_t::array:
-                {
-                    // first pass: traverse common elements
-                    size_t i = 0;
-                    while (i < source.size() and i < target.size())
-                    {
-                        // recursive call to compare array values at index i
-                        auto temp_diff = diff(source[i], target[i], path + "/" + std::to_string(i));
-                        result.insert(result.end(), temp_diff.begin(), temp_diff.end());
-                        ++i;
-                    }
-
-                    // i now reached the end of at least one array
-                    // in a second pass, traverse the remaining elements
-
-                    // remove my remaining elements
-                    const auto end_index = static_cast<difference_type>(result.size());
-                    while (i < source.size())
-                    {
-                        // add operations in reverse order to avoid invalid
-                        // indices
-                        result.insert(result.begin() + end_index, object(
-                        {
-                            {"op", "remove"},
-                            {"path", path + "/" + std::to_string(i)}
-                        }));
-                        ++i;
-                    }
-
-                    // add other remaining elements
-                    while (i < target.size())
-                    {
-                        result.push_back(
-                        {
-                            {"op", "add"},
-                            {"path", path + "/" + std::to_string(i)},
-                            {"value", target[i]}
-                        });
-                        ++i;
-                    }
-
-                    break;
-                }
+              // found a key that is not in o -> remove it
+              result.push_back(
+                  object({{"op", "remove"}, {"path", path + "/" + key}}));
+            }
+          }
 
-                case value_t::object:
-                {
-                    // first pass: traverse this object's elements
-                    for (auto it = source.begin(); it != source.end(); ++it)
-                    {
-                        // escape the key name to be used in a JSON patch
-                        const auto key = json_pointer::escape(it.key());
-
-                        if (target.find(it.key()) != target.end())
-                        {
-                            // recursive call to compare object values at key it
-                            auto temp_diff = diff(it.value(), target[it.key()], path + "/" + key);
-                            result.insert(result.end(), temp_diff.begin(), temp_diff.end());
-                        }
-                        else
-                        {
-                            // found a key that is not in o -> remove it
-                            result.push_back(object(
-                            {
-                                {"op", "remove"},
-                                {"path", path + "/" + key}
-                            }));
-                        }
-                    }
-
-                    // second pass: traverse other object's elements
-                    for (auto it = target.begin(); it != target.end(); ++it)
-                    {
-                        if (source.find(it.key()) == source.end())
-                        {
-                            // found a key that is not in this -> add it
-                            const auto key = json_pointer::escape(it.key());
-                            result.push_back(
-                            {
-                                {"op", "add"},
+          // second pass: traverse other object's elements
+          for (auto it = target.begin(); it != target.end(); ++it)
+          {
+            if (source.find(it.key()) == source.end())
+            {
+              // found a key that is not in this -> add it
+              const auto key = json_pointer::escape(it.key());
+              result.push_back({{"op", "add"},
                                 {"path", path + "/" + key},
-                                {"value", it.value()}
-                            });
-                        }
-                    }
-
-                    break;
-                }
-
-                default:
-                {
-                    // both primitive type: replace value
-                    result.push_back(
-                    {
-                        {"op", "replace"},
-                        {"path", path},
-                        {"value", target}
-                    });
-                    break;
-                }
+                                {"value", it.value()}});
             }
+          }
+
+          break;
         }
 
-        return result;
+        default:
+        {
+          // both primitive type: replace value
+          result.push_back(
+              {{"op", "replace"}, {"path", path}, {"value", target}});
+          break;
+        }
+      }
     }
 
-    /// @}
-};
+    return result;
+  }
 
+  /// @}
+};
 
 /////////////
 // presets //
@@ -12219,7 +12310,6 @@ uses the standard template types.
 using json = basic_json<>;
 } // namespace nlohmann
 
-
 ///////////////////////
 // nonmember support //
 ///////////////////////
@@ -12232,31 +12322,28 @@ namespace std
 
 @since version 1.0.0
 */
-template<>
-inline void swap(nlohmann::json& j1,
-                 nlohmann::json& j2) noexcept(
-                     is_nothrow_move_constructible<nlohmann::json>::value and
-                     is_nothrow_move_assignable<nlohmann::json>::value
-                 )
+template <>
+inline void swap(nlohmann::json &j1, nlohmann::json &j2) noexcept(
+    is_nothrow_move_constructible<nlohmann::json>::value
+        and is_nothrow_move_assignable<nlohmann::json>::value)
 {
-    j1.swap(j2);
+  j1.swap(j2);
 }
 
 /// hash value for JSON objects
-template<>
-struct hash<nlohmann::json>
+template <> struct hash<nlohmann::json>
 {
-    /*!
-    @brief return a hash value for a JSON object
-
-    @since version 1.0.0
-    */
-    std::size_t operator()(const nlohmann::json& j) const
-    {
-        // a naive hashing via the string representation
-        const auto& h = hash<nlohmann::json::string_t>();
-        return h(j.dump());
-    }
+  /*!
+  @brief return a hash value for a JSON object
+
+  @since version 1.0.0
+  */
+  std::size_t operator()(const nlohmann::json &j) const
+  {
+    // a naive hashing via the string representation
+    const auto &h = hash<nlohmann::json::string_t>();
+    return h(j.dump());
+  }
 };
 } // namespace std
 
@@ -12273,16 +12360,17 @@ if no parse error occurred.
 
 @since version 1.0.0
 */
-inline nlohmann::json operator "" _json(const char* s, std::size_t n)
+inline nlohmann::json operator"" _json(const char *s, std::size_t n)
 {
-    return nlohmann::json::parse(s, s + n);
+  return nlohmann::json::parse(s, s + n);
 }
 
 /*!
 @brief user-defined string literal for JSON pointer
 
 This operator implements a user-defined string literal for JSON Pointers. It
-can be used by adding `"_json_pointer"` to a string literal and returns a JSON pointer
+can be used by adding `"_json_pointer"` to a string literal and returns a JSON
+pointer
 object if no parse error occurred.
 
 @param[in] s  a string representation of a JSON Pointer
@@ -12291,14 +12379,15 @@ object if no parse error occurred.
 
 @since version 2.0.0
 */
-inline nlohmann::json::json_pointer operator "" _json_pointer(const char* s, std::size_t n)
+inline nlohmann::json::json_pointer operator"" _json_pointer(const char *s,
+                                                             std::size_t n)
 {
-    return nlohmann::json::json_pointer(std::string(s, n));
+  return nlohmann::json::json_pointer(std::string(s, n));
 }
 
 // restore GCC/clang diagnostic settings
 #if defined(__clang__) || defined(__GNUC__) || defined(__GNUG__)
-    #pragma GCC diagnostic pop
+#pragma GCC diagnostic pop
 #endif
 
 // clean up