{"id":12306,"library":"universal-serialize","title":"Universal Serialize and Deserialize","description":"universal-serialize is a JavaScript utility for serializing and deserializing complex objects, including built-in types like `Date`, `Error`, and `RegExp` that standard `JSON.stringify`/`parse` do not handle natively. It also provides a mechanism for developers to define custom serialization and deserialization logic for any bespoke type. The package is currently at version 1.0.10, with its last known update several years ago, indicating it is likely in an abandoned state and not actively maintained or receiving new features/security patches. Its key differentiators include out-of-the-box support for common non-primitive types and an extensible API for custom types, making it more robust than simple JSON operations for certain use cases.","status":"abandoned","version":"1.0.10","language":"javascript","source_language":"en","source_url":"git://github.com/krakenjs/universal-serialize","tags":["javascript","template"],"install":[{"cmd":"npm install universal-serialize","lang":"bash","label":"npm"},{"cmd":"yarn add universal-serialize","lang":"bash","label":"yarn"},{"cmd":"pnpm add universal-serialize","lang":"bash","label":"pnpm"}],"dependencies":[],"imports":[{"note":"ESM is shown in README; CommonJS requires accessing named exports from the module object.","wrong":"const serialize = require('universal-serialize').serialize;","symbol":"serialize","correct":"import { serialize } from 'universal-serialize';"},{"note":"ESM is shown in README; CommonJS requires accessing named exports from the module object.","wrong":"const deserialize = require('universal-serialize').deserialize;","symbol":"deserialize","correct":"import { deserialize } from 'universal-serialize';"},{"note":"TYPE is an object containing predefined string constants for built-in serialization types, used for custom handlers.","wrong":"const TYPE = require('universal-serialize').TYPE;","symbol":"TYPE","correct":"import { TYPE } from 'universal-serialize';"}],"quickstart":{"code":"import { serialize, deserialize } from 'universal-serialize';\n\n// Define a complex object with built-in non-primitive types\nconst originalObject = {\n  foo: 'bar',\n  date: new Date('2023-01-01T12:00:00.000Z'),\n  error: new Error('Something went wrong'),\n  regex: /test/gi\n};\n\n// Serialize the complex object into a JSON string\nconst jsonString = serialize(originalObject);\nconsole.log('Serialized JSON:', jsonString);\n\n// Deserialize the JSON string back into an object\nconst deserializedObject = deserialize(jsonString);\n\n// Verify the types and values of the deserialized objects\nconsole.log('Deserialized foo:', deserializedObject.foo);\nconsole.log('Deserialized date (instanceof Date):', deserializedObject.date instanceof Date);\nconsole.log('Deserialized date (value):', deserializedObject.date.toISOString());\nconsole.log('Deserialized error (instanceof Error):', deserializedObject.error instanceof Error);\nconsole.log('Deserialized error (message):', deserializedObject.error.message);\nconsole.log('Deserialized regex (instanceof RegExp):', deserializedObject.regex instanceof RegExp);\nconsole.log('Deserialized regex (value):', deserializedObject.regex.source);","lang":"javascript","description":"This example demonstrates basic serialization and deserialization of an object containing strings, dates, errors, and regular expressions, showing how `universal-serialize` preserves their types."},"warnings":[{"fix":"Consider migrating to a actively maintained serialization library that supports modern JavaScript features and provides ongoing security support. For simple cases, `JSON.stringify`/`parse` with custom `replacer`/`reviver` functions can suffice.","message":"The package appears to be abandoned with its last release over seven years ago. There will be no further updates, bug fixes, or security patches, which could lead to compatibility issues with newer JavaScript features or runtime environments.","severity":"breaking","affected_versions":">=1.0.10"},{"fix":"Avoid `eval()` for deserializing executable code. If functions must be transmitted, consider safer alternatives like serializing ASTs or limiting functions to a pre-defined whitelist of known, safe operations. Re-evaluate if deserializing functions directly is a necessary requirement.","message":"Using `eval()` in custom deserialization handlers (as shown in the README example for functions) is a significant security risk. Maliciously crafted serialized data could execute arbitrary code on the deserializing system.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":">=1.0.0"},{"fix":"Ensure objects to be serialized are free of circular references. If circular references are unavoidable, pre-process the object to break cycles (e.g., replacing references with placeholders) or use a serializer specifically designed to handle them.","message":"The library does not explicitly mention handling circular references. Serializing objects with circular structures using this library (or any serializer without specific handling) can lead to infinite loops or stack overflows during serialization.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":">=1.0.0"},{"fix":"Implement custom serialization and deserialization handlers for any modern JavaScript types or custom classes that need to be preserved. For `BigInt`, ensure it's converted to a string before serialization and parsed back on deserialization. For `Map`/`Set`, convert to arrays/objects.","message":"Lack of support for newer JavaScript types such as `BigInt`, `Symbol`, `Map`, `Set`, `Promise`, `WeakMap`, `WeakSet`, or custom classes beyond the explicitly defined custom types. These will likely not be serialized or deserialized correctly by default.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":"<=1.0.10"}],"env_vars":null,"last_verified":"2026-04-19T00:00:00.000Z","next_check":"2026-07-18T00:00:00.000Z","problems":[{"fix":"Ensure the input to `deserialize()` is a valid JSON string. Check that the string was correctly produced by `serialize()` and not corrupted or truncated. Use a JSON linter to validate the string if necessary.","cause":"Attempting to deserialize an invalid JSON string, or a string that is not valid JSON produced by `universal-serialize`.","error":"SyntaxError: Unexpected token 'u' in JSON at position X"},{"fix":"While `universal-serialize` claims to handle `Error` objects, ensure that the deserialized `error` property is correctly re-instantiated as an `Error` object. If custom serialization was used, verify the `deserialize` handler correctly reconstructs the `Error` instance.","cause":"An `Error` object was serialized, but its prototype chain or properties were not fully restored during deserialization, leading to a plain object that lacks `Error` methods.","error":"TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'stack')"},{"fix":"Add `import { TYPE } from 'universal-serialize';` to the top of your file where `TYPE` is used.","cause":"`TYPE` constant was used in a custom serialization/deserialization handler without being imported.","error":"ReferenceError: TYPE is not defined"}],"ecosystem":"npm"}