hash string to json

hash_string_to_json.rb

# Convert a hash string (a hash that was casted to string using .to_s)
# to a valid json string
#
# @param [String|Hash] hash_string      Hash string to parse
# @param [Boolean] prettyfy_for_html    [Optional] True if json is wanted to be prettified for HTML output
#
# @return [String]
def hash_string_to_json(hash_string, prettyfy_for_html = true)
  # Check if it is already a valid JSON
  begin
    if hash_string.is_a? String && JSON.parse(hash_string)
      return hash_string unless prettyfy_for_html

      return JSON.pretty_generate(JSON.parse(hash_string))
    end
  rescue
  end

  # Actually parse it
  begin
    # Hash string keys can have this 2 syntaxes:
    # {:hi=>2}    -> uses symbols as key
    # {\"hi\"=>2} -> uses strings as key
    h = JSON.parse(hash_string.gsub(/([\"]?[:]?(\w+)[\"]*\s?=>\s?)/, "\"\\2\": "))
  rescue
    h = hash_string.is_a?(Hash) ? hash_string : Hash.new
  end

  return h.to_json unless prettyfy_for_html

  JSON.pretty_generate(h)
end