py-ubjson
Universal Binary JSON encoder/decoder
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, with conditions. The package is stable and permissively licensed, suitable for UBJSON serialization tasks. However, install friction is high due to optional C extension compilation, and dormant maintenance (last release 2020) means no recent bug fixes or Python version updates. Verify compatibility with your target Python version before adopting. Use it if you specifically need UBJSON support; for general binary serialization, consider actively maintained alternatives.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Optional C extension requires a C compiler and build tools; set PYJSON_NO_EXTENSION=1 to skip compilation if needed.
- High install friction: the package includes optional C extensions that require a compiler and build tools.
- The extension is not required but provides significant speed improvement.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache License 2.0 (permissive) — Apache License 2.0 is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute this package freely in commercial and private projects provided you include a copy of the license and state significant changes.
last release 2020-04-18 (2309 days) · last repo commit 2024-07-18 · 45 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 1,471,148 downloads/mo, #3,869 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install py-ubjson
import ubjson
encoded = ubjson.dumpb({'a': 1})
decoded = ubjson.loadb(encoded)- Whether the package works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list 3.8 as the latest, but current Python is much newer)
- Current compatibility with modern C extension build systems and Python packaging standards
- Whether the dormant status indicates unmaintained code or stable-enough-to-not-need-updates
What it is and what it does
py-ubjson is an encoder and decoder for Universal Binary JSON, a compact binary serialization format defined by the UBJSON specification. It provides a Python API similar to the standard json module, with dump/load functions for file I/O and dumpb/loadb for bytes. The package includes an optional C extension that significantly accelerates encoding and decoding operations; you can check at runtime whether the compiled version is active via a boolean flag. It supports efficient binary encoding, nested structures, and typed containers according to the draft-12 specification.
The package has no runtime dependencies and can be installed with or without the C extension. It includes a command-line utility for converting between JSON and UBJSON formats. The implementation is stable (marked Production/Stable) but dormant, with the last release in April 2020 and minimal recent activity.
Use it for
- Serialize structured data to a compact binary format for efficient network transmission or storage.
- Decode UBJSON data received from external systems or APIs that use the UBJSON standard.
- Replace JSON in performance-critical applications where binary encoding overhead matters.
- Convert between JSON and UBJSON formats via the command-line utility for data pipeline tasks.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, with conditions.
The package is stable and permissively licensed, suitable for UBJSON serialization tasks. However, install friction is high due to optional C extension compilation, and dormant maintenance (last release 2020) means no recent bug fixes or Python version updates. Verify compatibility with your target Python version before adopting. Use it if you specifically need UBJSON support; for general binary serialization, consider actively maintained alternatives.
Install
py-ubjson on PyPI
Before you install
High install friction: the package includes optional C extensions that require a compiler and build tools. The extension is not required but provides significant speed improvement. Package is dormant (last release 2020-04-18, last commit 2024-07-18) with no recent maintenance activity.
Optional C extension requires a C compiler and build tools; set PYJSON_NO_EXTENSION=1 to skip compilation if needed.
License in practice
Apache License 2.0 is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute this package freely in commercial and private projects provided you include a copy of the license and state significant changes.
Quickstart
pip install py-ubjson
import ubjson
encoded = ubjson.dumpb({'a': 1})
decoded = ubjson.loadb(encoded)Verify before relying
- Whether the package works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list 3.8 as the latest, but current Python is much newer)
- Current compatibility with modern C extension build systems and Python packaging standards
- Whether the dormant status indicates unmaintained code or stable-enough-to-not-need-updates
Package facts
| License | Apache License 2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | High. Source build required |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 2,309 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 1,471,148 / month, #3,869 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseProgramming Language :: CProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.2Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Topic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: py-ubjson-0.16.1.tar.gz
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