Encode a Python dictionary to JSON with indentation up to a given level only

jsonEncode.py

import json

def jsonEncode(data, n=0, nmax=0):
    """Encode a dictionary, list or tuple as a json object or array, and
    indent from level n up to a max level nmax if nmax is larger than 0.
    """
    if not isinstance(data, (dict, list, tuple)):
        return "[]"

    buffer = []
    indent = ""

    for chunk in json.JSONEncoder().iterencode(data):
        if chunk == "":  # pragma: no cover
            # Just a precaution
            continue

        first = chunk[0]
        if chunk in ("{}", "[]"):
            buffer.append(chunk)

        elif first in ("{", "["):
            n += 1
            indent = "\n"+"  "*n
            if n > nmax and nmax > 0:
                buffer.append(chunk)
            else:
                buffer.append(chunk[0] + indent + chunk[1:])

        elif first in ("}", "]"):
            n -= 1
            indent = "\n"+"  "*n
            if n >= nmax and nmax > 0:
                buffer.append(chunk)
            else:
                buffer.append(indent + chunk)

        elif first == ",":
            if n > nmax and nmax > 0:
                buffer.append(chunk)
            else:
                buffer.append(chunk[0] + indent + chunk[1:].lstrip())

        else:
            buffer.append(chunk)

    return "".join(buffer)