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json/api/basic_json/back.md
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2026-10-12 07:35:31 +00:00

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nlohmann::basic_json::back

reference back();

const_reference back() const;

Returns a reference to the last element in the container. For a JSON container c, the expression c.back() is equivalent to

auto tmp = c.end();
--tmp;
return *tmp;

Return value

In the case of a structured type (array or object), a reference to the last element is returned. In the case of number, string, boolean, or binary values, a reference to the value is returned.

Exception safety

Strong guarantee: if an exception is thrown, there are no changes in the JSON value.

Exceptions

If the JSON value is #!json null, exception invalid_iterator.214 is thrown.

Complexity

Constant.

Notes

!!! info "Precondition"

The array or object must not be empty. Calling `back` on an empty array or object yields undefined behavior.

Examples

??? example

The following code shows an example for `back()`.
 
```cpp
#include <iostream>
#include <nlohmann/json.hpp>

using json = nlohmann::json;

int main()
{
    // create JSON values
    json j_boolean = true;
    json j_number_integer = 17;
    json j_number_float = 23.42;
    json j_object = {{"one", 1}, {"two", 2}};
    json j_object_empty(json::value_t::object);
    json j_array = {1, 2, 4, 8, 16};
    json j_array_empty(json::value_t::array);
    json j_string = "Hello, world";

    // call back()
    std::cout << j_boolean.back() << '\n';
    std::cout << j_number_integer.back() << '\n';
    std::cout << j_number_float.back() << '\n';
    std::cout << j_object.back() << '\n';
    //std::cout << j_object_empty.back() << '\n';  // undefined behavior
    std::cout << j_array.back() << '\n';
    //std::cout << j_array_empty.back() << '\n';   // undefined behavior
    std::cout << j_string.back() << '\n';

    // back() called on a null value
    try
    {
        json j_null;
        j_null.back();
    }
    catch (const json::invalid_iterator& e)
    {
        std::cout << e.what() << '\n';
    }
}

```

Output:

```json
true
17
23.42
2
16
"Hello, world"
[json.exception.invalid_iterator.214] cannot get value

```

See also

  • front to access the first element

Version history

  • Added in version 1.0.0.
  • Adjusted code to return reference to binary values in version 3.8.0.