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https://github.com/hopsoft/universalid

Fast, recursive, optimized, URL-Safe serialization for any Ruby object
https://github.com/hopsoft/universalid

ruby serialization

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Fast, recursive, optimized, URL-Safe serialization for any Ruby object

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README 

        
# Universal ID





  

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## Fast, recursive, optimized, URL-Safe serialization for any Ruby object



Universal ID leverages both [MessagePack](https://msgpack.org/) and [Brotli](https://github.com/google/brotli) _(a combo built for speed and best-in-class data compression)_.

When combined, these libraries are up to 30% faster and within 2-5% compression rates compared to Protobuf. ↗



Universal ID introduces a paradigm shift that enables straightforward simple [**solutions** ↗](docs/use_cases.md) for a variety of complex problem domains.



> [!TIP]

> All the code examples below can be tested on your local machine. Just clone the repo _(↑or use Gitpod above↑)_ and run `bin/console` to begin exploring.

> Don't forget to execute `bundle` first to ensure all dependencies are up to date. **Happy coding!**



## Table of Contents



  - [URI::UID](#uriuid)

  - [Supported Data Types](#supported-data-types)

    - [Primitive Types](#primitive-types)

    - [Composite Types](#composite-types)

    - [Extension Types](#extension-types)

    - [Custom Types](#custom-types)

  - [Options](#options)

  - [Advanced Usage](#advanced-usage)

    - [Fingerprinting](#fingerprinting)

    - [Copy ActiveRecord Models](#copy-activerecord-models)

    - [ActiveRecord::Relations](#activerecordrelations)

    - [SignedGlobalID](#signedglobalid)

  - [Sponsors](#sponsors)

  - [License](#license)



## URI::UID



Universal ID introduces a new URI defintion that can recursively serialize any Ruby object into an URL-safe string

which can be safely transported via HTTP.



> [!NOTE]

> The payload is optimized to be as small as possible... _especially notable with large objects._



The best part: **The API is simple.**



```ruby

data = :ANY_OBJECT_YOU_CAN_IMAGINE



uid = URI::UID.build(data)

#



uid.payload

"Cw6AxxoAQU5ZX09CSkVDVF9ZT1VfQ0FOX0lNQUdJTkUD"



uid.fingerprint

"CwWAkccHf6ZTeW1ib2wD"



uri = uid.to_s

"uid://universalid/Cw6AxxoAQU5ZX09CSkVDVF9ZT1VfQ0FOX0lNQUdJTkUD#CwWAkccHf6ZTeW1ib2wD"



parsed = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#



parsed.decode

:ANY_OBJECT_YOU_CAN_IMAGINE



# it's also possible to parse the payload by itself



parsed = URI::UID.from_payload(uid.payload)

#



parsed.decode

:ANY_OBJECT_YOU_CAN_IMAGINE

```



## Supported Data Types



### Primitive Types



Universal ID supports most native Ruby primitives:



- `NilClass`

- `BigDecimal`

- `Complex`

- `Date`

- `DateTime`

- `FalseClass`

- `Float`

- `Integer`

- `Range`

- `Rational`

- `Regexp`

- `String`

- `Symbol`

- `Time`

- `TrueClass`



You can use Universal ID to serialize individual primitives, but this actually serves as the foundation for more advanced use-cases.



```ruby

uri = URI::UID.build(:demo).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/iwKA1gBkZW1vAw#CwWAkccHf6ZTeW1ib2wD"



uid = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#=> #



uid.decode

#=> :demo

```



### Composite Types



Composite _(or complex, compound, etc.)_ datatype support is where things start to get interesting.

Universal ID supports the following native Ruby composite datatypes:



- `Array`

- `Hash`

- `OpenStruct`

- `Set`

- `Struct`



```ruby

array = [1, 2, 3, [:a, :b, :c, [true]]]



uri = URI::UID.build(array).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/iweAlAECA5TUAGHUAGLUAGORwwM#iwSAkccGf6VBcnJheQM"



uid = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#=> #



uid.decode

#=> [1, 2, 3, [:a, :b, :c, [true]]]



uid.decode == array

#=> true

```



```ruby

hash = {a: 1, b: 2, c: 3, array: [1, 2, 3, [:a, :b, :c, [true]]]}



uri = URI::UID.build(hash).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/CxKAhNQAYQHUAGIC1ABjA8cFAGFycmF5lAECA5TUAGHUAGLUAGORwwM#CwS..."



uid = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#=> #



uid.decode

#=> {:a=>1, :b=>2, :c=>3, :array=>[1, 2, 3, [:a, :b, :c, [true]]]}



uid.decode == hash

#=> true

```



```ruby

Book = Struct.new(:title, :author, :isbn, :published_year)

book = Book.new("The Great Gatsby", "F. Scott Fitzgerald", "9780743273565", 1925)



uri = URI::UID.build(book).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/G2YAoGTomv9tT1ilLRgVC9vIpmuBo-k84FZ0G8-siFMBNsbW0dpBE0Tnm96..."



uid = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#=> #



uid.decode

#=> #



uid.decode == book

#=> true

```



### Extension Types



The following extension datatypes ship with Universal ID:



- `ActiveRecord::Base`

- `ActiveRecord::Relation`

- `ActiveSupport::Cache::Entry`

- `ActiveSupport::Cache::Store`

- `ActiveSupport::TimeWithZone`

- `GlobalID`

- `SignedGlobalID`



> [!NOTE]

> Extensions are autoloaded whenever the related datatype is detected.



> [!IMPORTANT]

> **Why Universal ID with ActiveRecord?**

> ActiveRecord already has GlobalID, a robust library for serializing individual models.

> **Universal ID covers a much wider range of use cases**.



Here are a few reasons you may want to consider Universal ID with ActiveRecord.



- **New Records**:

  Universal ID can serialize models that haven't been saved to the database yet.



- **Changesets**:

  Universal ID can serialize ActiveRecord models with unsaved changes, ensuring that even transient states are captured.



- **Associations**:

  Universal ID goes beyond single models. It can include associated records, even those with unsaved changes, creating a comprehensive snapshot of complex record states.



- **Copying/Cloning**:

  Universal ID supports making copies of records _(including associations)_, making it ideal for duplicating complex datasets.



- **More Control**:

  Universal ID gives you control over the serialization process. You can choose which columns to include/exclude, allowing for tailored, optimized payloads to fit your needs.



- **Queries/Relations**:

  Universal ID also supports ActiveRecord::Relations, enabling the serialization of complex database queries and scopes.



In summary, while GlobalID excels in its specific use case, Universal ID offers more power for use-cases that involve unsaved records, complex associations, data cloning, and database queries.



```ruby

# setup some records

campaign = Campaign.create(name: "My Campaign")

email = campaign.emails.create(subject: "First Email")

attachment = email.attachments.create(file_name: "data.pdf")



# ensure associations are loaded so they can be included in an UID

campaign.emails.load

campaign.emails.each { |e| e.attachments.load }



# make some unsaved changes

email.subject = "1st Email"



# add an unsaved record

campaign.emails.build(subject: "2nd Email")



# introspection

campaign.emails.size #=> 2

campaign.emails.loaded? #=> true

campaign.emails.last.new_record? #=> true



options = {

  include_changes: true,

  include_descendants: true,

  descendant_depth: 2

}



uri = URI::UID.build(campaign, options).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/GxYBYGT6_Xn_OrelIDRWhQQgvbS5gQxV7EJKe3paIiEFmEEc1gLKw8Pl2-k..."



uid = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#=> #



decoded = uid.decode

#=> "#



decoded == campaign

#=> true



# introspection

decoded.emails.size #=> 2

decoded.emails.loaded? #=> true

decoded.emails.first.changed? #=> true

decoded.emails.first.changes #=> {"subject"=>["First Email", "1st Email"]}

decoded.emails.last.new_record? #=> true

decoded.save #=> true

decoded.emails.last.persisted? #=> true

```



### Custom Types



Universal ID is extensible, enabling you to register your own datatypes with custom serialization rules.

Simply convert the required data to a Ruby primitive or composite value.



```ruby

# create a custom type

class UserSettings

  attr_accessor :user_id, :preferences



  def initialize(user_id, preferences = {})

    @user_id = user_id

    @preferences = preferences

  end

end



# register the custom type with Universal ID

UniversalID::MessagePackFactory.register(

  type: UserSettings,

  packer: ->(user_preferences, packer) do

    packer.write user_preferences.user_id

    packer.write user_preferences.preferences

  end,

  unpacker: ->(unpacker) do

    user_id = unpacker.read

    preferences = unpacker.read

    UserSettings.new user_id, preferences

  end

)



# create an instance of the custom type

settings = UserSettings.new(1,

  theme: "dark",

  notifications: "email",

  language: "en",

  layout: "grid",

  privacy: "private"

)



# serialize the custom type

uri = URI::UID.build(settings).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/G1QAQAT-c_cO7qJcAk-TtsAiadci_IA5xoH7NV3bYttEww7xuUkzasu2HEO..."



# deserialize the custom type

uid = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#=> #



uid.decode

=> #"dark", :notifications=>"email", :language=>"en", :layout=>"grid", :privacy=>"private"}, @user_id=1>

```



## Options



Universal ID supports a small, but powerful, set of options used to "prepack" the object before it's packed with MessagePack.

These options instruct Universal ID on how to prepare the object for serialization.



```yml

prepack:

  # ..........................................................................................................

  # A list of attributes to exclude (for objects like Hash, OpenStruct, Struct, etc.)

  # Takes prescedence over the`include` list

  exclude: []



  # ..........................................................................................................

  # A list of attributes to include (for objects like Hash, OpenStruct, Struct, etc.)

  include: []



  # ..........................................................................................................

  # Whether or not to include blank values when packing (nil, {}, [], "", etc.)

  include_blank: true



  # ==========================================================================================================

  # Database records

  database:

    # ......................................................................................................

    # Whether or not to include primary/foreign keys

    # Setting this to `false` can be used to make a copy of an existing record

    include_keys: true



    # ......................................................................................................

    # Whether or not to include date/time timestamps (created_at, updated_at, etc.)

    # Setting this to `false` can be used to make a copy of an existing record

    include_timestamps: true



    # ......................................................................................................

    # Whether or not to include unsaved changes

    # Assign to `true` when packing new records

    include_changes: false



    # ......................................................................................................

    # Whether or not to include loaded in-memory descendants (i.e. child associations)

    include_descendants: false



    # ......................................................................................................

    # The max depth (number) of loaded in-memory descendants to include when `include_descendants == true`

    # For example, a value of (2) would include the following:

    #   Parent > Child > Grandchild

    descendant_depth: 0

```



Options can be applied whenever creating a UID.



```ruby

hash = { a: 1, b: 2, c: 3 }



uri = URI::UID.build(hash, exclude: [:b]).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/CwSAgtQAYQHUAGMDAw#CwSAkccFf6RIYXNoAw"



uid = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#=> #



uid.decode

#=> {:a=>1, :c=>3}

```



> [!NOTE]

> Options can be passed in structured or flat format.



It's also possible to register frequently used options.



```yaml

# app/config/changed.yml

prepack:

  include_blank: false



  database:

    include_changes: true

    include_descendants: true

    descendant_depth: 2

```



```ruby

UniversalID::Settings.register :changed, File.expand_path("app/config/changed.yml", __dir__)

uid = URI::UID.build(record, UniversalID::Settings[:changed])

```



## Advanced Usage



### Fingerprinting



Each UID is fingerprinted as part of the serialization process.



Fingerprints are comprised of the following components:



1. `Class (Class)`  - The encoded object's class

2. `Timestamp (Time)` - The `mtime` (UTC) of the file that defined the object's class



Fingerprints provide a simple mechanism to help manage data format versions... **minimizing the need for custom versioning solutions**.

Whenever the class definition changes, the `mtime` updates, resulting in a different fingerprint.

This is especially useful in scenarios where the data format evolves over time, such as in long-lived applications.



```ruby

uid = URI::UID.build(campaign)



uid.fingerprint

#=> "CwuAkscJf6hDYW1wYWlnbtf_ReuZnGWeG5MD"



uid.fingerprint(decode: true)

#=> [Campaign(id: integer, ...), 



> [!NOTE]

> The timestamp or `mtime` is determined the moment a UID is created.



> [!TIP]

> Fingerprints can help you maintain consistency and reliability when working with serialized data over time.

> While fingerpint creation is automatic and implicit, usage is optional... ready whenever you need it.



### Copy ActiveRecord Models



Make a copy of an ActiveRecord model _(with loaded associations)_.



```ruby

campaign = Campaign.first



# ensure desired associations are loaded so they can be included in an UID

campaign.emails.load

campaign.emails.each { |e| e.attachments.load }



# introspection

campaign.id #=> 1

campaign.emails.map(&:id) #=> [1, 2]

campaign.emails.map(&:attachments).flatten.map(&:id)

#=> [1, 2, 3, 4]



# setup options for copying

options = {

  include_blank: false,

  include_keys: false,

  include_timestamps: false,

  include_descendants: true,

  descendant_depth: 2

}



uri = URI::UID.build(campaign, options).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/G7kAIBylMxZa7MouY3gUqHKkIx3hk4s8NT5xWwQsDc7lKUkGWM4DHsCxQZK..."



uid = URI::UID.parse(uri)

#=> #



copy = uid.decode

#=> #



copy == campaign

#=> false



# introspection

copy.new_record? #=> true

copy.id #=> nil

copy.emails.map(&:id) #=> [nil, nil]

copy.emails.map(&:attachments).flatten.map(&:id)

#=> [nil, nil, nil, nil]



# create the copy (new records) in the database

copy.save #=> true

```



> [!TIP]

> If you don't need a URL-Safe UID, you can use `UniversalID::Packer` to speed things up a bit.



```ruby

packed = UniversalID::Packer.pack(campaign, options)

copy = UniversalID::Packer.unpack(packed)

copy.save

```



### ActiveRecord::Relations



Universal ID also supports ActiveRecord relations/scopes.

You can easily serialize complex queries into a portable and sharable format.



```ruby

relation = Campaign.joins(:emails).where("emails.subject LIKE ?", "Flash Sale%")



uri = URI::UID.build(relation).to_s

#=> "uid://universalid/G90EQCwLeEP1oQtHFksrdN5YS4ju5TryFZwBJgh2toqS3SKEVSl1FoNtZjI..."



uid = URI::UID.parse(encoded)

#=> #



decoded = uid.decode



# introspection

decoded == relation #=> true

decoded.is_a? ActiveRecord::Relation #=> true

decoded.loaded? #=> false



# run the query

campaigns = decoded.load

```



> [!NOTE]

> Universal ID clears cached data within the relation before encoding. This minimizes payload size while preserving the integrity of the underlying query.



### SignedGlobalID



Features like `signing` _(to prevent tampering)_, `purpose`, and `expiration` are provided by SignedGlobalIDs.

These features _(and more)_ will eventually be added to Universal ID, but until then...

simply convert your UID to a SignedGlobalID to add these features to any Universal ID.



```ruby

data = OpenStruct.new(name: "Demo", value: "Example")



sgid = URI::UID.build(data).to_sgid_param(for: "purpose", expires_in: 1.hour)

#=> "eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaEpJZ0plQTJkcFpEb3ZMM1Z1YVhabGNuTmhiQzFwWkM5V..."



uid = URI::UID.from_sgid(sgid, for: "purpose")

#=> #



decoded = uid.decode

#=> #



# a mismatched purpose returns nil... as expected

URI::UID.from_sgid(sgid, for: "mismatch")

#=> nil

```



## Sponsors





  Proudly sponsored by





  

    

  




[Add your company...](https://github.com/sponsors/hopsoft/sponsorships?sponsor=hopsoft&tier_id=23918&preview=false)



## License



The gem is available as open source under the terms of the [MIT License](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT).