Overview
This module provides enhanced JSON and table manipulation utilities. It extends Roblox’s table and JSON handling with additional functions. Made this for a project and decided to extend it and release it 
Source File DataUtils.lua (20.4 KB)
Model File DataUtils.rbxm (9.2 KB)
Key Features
- Deep table copying and merging
- Advanced JSON serialization with custom type handling
- Nested value manipulation with dot notation
- Table filtering and mapping
- JSON schema validation
- Data compression and encryption
- Data diffing and patching
- Data migration and versioning
- Advanced serialization for Roblox-specific types
- Table flattening and comparison utilities
API Reference
Table Operations
DeepCopy(original)
Creates a complete independent copy of a table, including nested tables.
local originalTable = {a = 1, b = {c = 2}}
local copy = DataUtils.DeepCopy(originalTable)
MergeTables(table1, table2, deep, overwrite)
Merges two tables with optional deep merge and conflict resolution.
-
deep: Whether to merge nested tables -
overwrite: Whether to overwrite existing keys
local merged = DataUtils.MergeTables(table1, table2, true, false)
JSON Operations
AdvancedEncode(data, options)
Serializes data to JSON with custom type handling.
local json = DataUtils.AdvancedEncode(data, {
indent = 2,
handleSpecialTypes = true
})
JSONToTable(jsonString, options)
Converts JSON string to Roblox table with advanced type handling.
local table = DataUtils.JSONToTable(jsonString, {
convertRobloxTypes = true,
nilValue = nil
})
TableToJSON(tbl, options)
Converts Roblox table to JSON with enhanced serialization.
local json = DataUtils.TableToJSON(table, {
maxDepth = 10,
handleRobloxTypes = true,
preserveNil = true
})
Nested Value Operations
GetNestedValue(tbl, path)
Retrieves nested values using dot notation.
local value = DataUtils.GetNestedValue(table, "user.profile.name")
SetNestedValue(tbl, path, value)
Sets nested values using dot notation.
DataUtils.SetNestedValue(table, "user.profile.name", "John")
Table Transformation
FilterTable(tbl, predicate)
Filters table based on a predicate function.
local filtered = DataUtils.FilterTable(table, function(v, k)
return v > 10
end)
MapTable(tbl, mapper)
Transforms table values using a mapping function.
local mapped = DataUtils.MapTable(table, function(v, k)
return v * 2
end)
Data Validation
ValidateSchema(data, schema)
Validates JSON data against a schema.
local isValid = DataUtils.ValidateSchema(data, {
name = "string",
age = "number"
})
Advanced Features
Compression and Encryption
local compressed = DataUtils.Compress(data)
local decompressed = DataUtils.Decompress(compressed)
Data Diffing
local diff = DataUtils.CreateDataDiff(originalTable, modifiedTable)
local patched = DataUtils.ApplyDataPatch(originalTable, diff)
Data Pipeline
local pipeline = DataUtils.CreateDataPipeline()
:AddValidator(function(data)
return data.value > 0, "Value must be positive"
end)
:AddTransformer(function(data)
data.value = data.value * 2
return data
end)
local result = pipeline:Process(data)
Data Migration
local migrations = {
[1] = function(data)
data.newField = "default"
return data
end
}
local migrated = DataUtils.MigrateData(data, migrations)
Best Practices
- Always use DeepCopy when you need independent copies of tables
- Handle errors appropriately when using JSON operations
- Use schema validation for critical data structures
- Consider using the data pipeline for complex transformations
- Implement proper error handling for all operations
- Use compression for large data sets
- Implement proper versioning for data migrations
Performance Considerations
- Deep copying large tables can be expensive
- Consider the depth of nested structures when using JSON operations
- Use table flattening for simpler storage of complex structures
- Implement caching for frequently accessed data
- Monitor memory usage when handling large data sets
Compatibility Notes
- Designed for Roblox Lua environment
- Requires HttpService for JSON operations
- Supports Roblox-specific types (Vector3, CFrame)