JSON Schema for PHP is a PHP library that validates JSON structures against schemas conforming to multiple JSON Schema specification drafts.
The tool solves the problem of ensuring JSON data conforms to expected structure and type requirements before processing it in PHP applications. It implements validation logic for Draft-3, Draft-4, Draft-6, Draft-7, and Draft 2019-09 specifications, allowing developers to define schemas and check incoming data against them. The validator supports several modes of operation including type coercion to convert strings and booleans to expected types, automatic application of default values from schemas, and strict validation with early type coercion options.
The library suits PHP projects that need to validate JSON input from HTTP requests or other sources. It is particularly useful when you want to automatically cast incoming string data to the correct types or apply schema-defined defaults during validation. The tool offers configuration flags to customize validation behavior, such as disabling format constraint checks, validating the schema itself, or throwing exceptions on validation failure. Developers should be aware that not all features of newer specification drafts may be fully supported, and the README recommends checking the Bowtie compliance report for the current state of draft implementations.
The project maintains compliance badges for each supported draft specification. Development activity shows ongoing attention to specification compliance across multiple JSON Schema versions.
