How to parse json objects not array using jq

Question

For example:

echo '{"p":2}{"q":3}' | jq '.'

How do I select the first object? I want the object below:

{"p":2}

@Inian - It's valid as a JSON stream, which I think it reasonable to assume is the OP's intent. — peak
– peak, Commented Nov 25, 2021 at 9:55
@peak: I wasn't sure of OP's expectation. Are they looking to get just {}, or it was a just a placeholder to contain some meaningful input inside — Inian
– Inian, Commented Nov 25, 2021 at 9:55
@inian - It makes no difference. {} is a valid JSON object. — peak
– peak, Commented Nov 25, 2021 at 10:00

peak · Accepted Answer · 2021-11-25 09:54:23Z

3

You would use the -n command-line option, e.g.:

jq -n input

or

jq -n 'first(inputs)'

answered Nov 25, 2021 at 9:54

peak

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5 Comments

daparic Over a year ago

echo '{"p":2}{"q":3}' | jq -n 'first(inputs)' works. Thank you.

daparic Over a year ago

If there are five objects and I wanted the 3rd, how would I do it?

pmf Over a year ago

To get the nth object (0-based) : echo '{"p":2}{"q":3}{"r":4}{"s":5}{"t":6}' | jq -n 'nth(2;inputs)' -> {"r":4}

daparic Over a year ago

echo '{"p":2}{"q":3}{"r":4}{"s":5}{"t":6}' | jq --slurp '.[2]' also works!

ikegami Over a year ago

Re "jq --slurp '.[2]' also works", yeah, jq --slurp '...' is the same as jq -n '[ inputs ] | ...' These aren't as good as using first and nth as they require loading the entire stream into memory at once.

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