ASON 2.0 - Preview

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -7,6 +7,36 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [2.0.0-preview] - 2025-01-14
+
+### Changed
+- **BREAKING: ASON 2.0 Support** - Updated to support ASON 2.0 format
+- **Configuration Options Updated**:
+  - ❌ Removed `useDictionary` (no longer exists in ASON 2.0)
+  - ✅ Added `useSections` - Enable `@section` organization for objects (default: true)
+  - ✅ Added `useTabular` - Enable `key:[N]{fields}` tabular arrays (default: true)
+  - ✅ Added `minFieldsForSection` - Min fields to create @section (default: 3)
+  - ✅ Added `minRowsForTabular` - Min rows for tabular format (default: 2)
+  - ✅ Added `minReferenceOccurrences` - Min occurrences for $var reference (default: 2)
+  - Changed default `delimiter` from `","` to `"|"` (pipe is more token-efficient)
+- **Syntax Updates**:
+  - Arrays now use `key:[N]{fields}` instead of `key:[N]@fields`
+  - Tabular data uses pipe delimiter `|` by default instead of comma `,`
+  - References now use `$var` semantic names (already supported)
+  - Sections use `@section` for objects (already supported)
+- **Updated Documentation**:
+  - All examples in README.md updated to ASON 2.0 syntax
+  - Tool descriptions updated to reflect new format
+
+### Dependencies
+- Updated `@ason-format/ason` to `^2.0.0-preview` (from `^1.1.3`)
+
+### Migration Notes
+- If you have existing MCP server configurations, update:
+  - `useDictionary: true` → Remove (or replace with `useSections: true, useTabular: true`)
+  - `delimiter: ","` → `delimiter: "|"` (recommended)
+- ASON output format has changed - see ASON 2.0 documentation
+
 ## [1.1.3] - 2025-11-13
 
 ### Changed

README.md

@@ -73,27 +73,29 @@ Compress JSON data to ASON format.
   "json": {"users": [{"id": 1, "name": "Alice"}, {"id": 2, "name": "Bob"}]},
   "config": {
     "indent": 1,
-    "delimiter": ",",
+    "delimiter": "|",
     "useReferences": true,
-    "useDictionary": true
+    "useSections": true,
+    "useTabular": true
   }
 }
 ```
 
 **Output:**
 ```
-ASON Output:
+ASON 2.0 Output:
 
-users:[2]@id,name
-1,Alice
-2,Bob
+users:[2]{id,name}
+1|Alice
+2|Bob
 
 Configuration used:
 {
   "indent": 1,
-  "delimiter": ",",
+  "delimiter": "|",
   "useReferences": true,
-  "useDictionary": true
+  "useSections": true,
+  "useTabular": true
 }
 ```
 
@@ -104,7 +106,7 @@ Decompress ASON back to JSON.
 **Input:**
 ```json
 {
-  "ason": "users:[2]@id,name\n1,Alice\n2,Bob"
+  "ason": "users:[2]{id,name}\n1|Alice\n2|Bob"
 }
 ```
 
@@ -128,7 +130,7 @@ Analyze compression statistics.
   "json": {"users": [{"id": 1, "name": "Alice"}, {"id": 2, "name": "Bob"}]},
   "config": {
     "indent": 1,
-    "delimiter": ","
+    "delimiter": "|"
   }
 }
 ```
@@ -148,9 +150,10 @@ Savings: 37 bytes
 Configuration:
 {
   "indent": 1,
-  "delimiter": ",",
+  "delimiter": "|",
   "useReferences": true,
-  "useDictionary": true
+  "useSections": true,
+  "useTabular": true
 }
 ```
 
@@ -163,7 +166,7 @@ Update global compression settings.
 {
   "config": {
     "indent": 2,
-    "delimiter": "|",
+    "delimiter": ",",
     "useReferences": false
   }
 }
@@ -175,9 +178,10 @@ Global configuration updated:
 
 {
   "indent": 2,
-  "delimiter": "|",
+  "delimiter": ",",
   "useReferences": false,
-  "useDictionary": true
+  "useSections": true,
+  "useTabular": true
 }
 ```
 
@@ -186,9 +190,13 @@ Global configuration updated:
 | Option | Type | Default | Description |
 |--------|------|---------|-------------|
 | `indent` | number | `1` | Indentation level for nested structures |
-| `delimiter` | string | `","` | Field delimiter for uniform arrays |
-| `useReferences` | boolean | `true` | Enable object reference aliasing (`&obj0`) |
-| `useDictionary` | boolean | `true` | Enable inline-first value dictionary (`value #0`) |
+| `delimiter` | string | `"|"` | Field delimiter for tabular arrays (pipe, comma, or tab) |
+| `useReferences` | boolean | `true` | Enable `$var` reference deduplication |
+| `useSections` | boolean | `true` | Enable `@section` organization for objects |
+| `useTabular` | boolean | `true` | Enable `[N]{fields}` tabular format for arrays |
+| `minFieldsForSection` | number | `3` | Minimum fields to create a `@section` |
+| `minRowsForTabular` | number | `2` | Minimum rows for tabular array format |
+| `minReferenceOccurrences` | number | `2` | Minimum occurrences to create a `$var` reference |
 
 ## Development
 
@@ -218,9 +226,9 @@ Claude: I'll use the compress_json tool to compress this JSON.
 [Uses MCP tool compress_json]
 
 Result:
-products:[2]@id,name,price
-1,Laptop,999
-2,Mouse,25
+products:[2]{id,name,price}
+1|Laptop|999
+2|Mouse|25
 
 This compressed version uses 45% fewer tokens!
 ```
@@ -250,11 +258,17 @@ To release a new version:
 - ✅ **Continue** (VS Code extension)
 - ✅ **Any MCP client** with stdio transport
 
-## 📚 What is ASON?
+## 📚 What is ASON 2.0?
+
+ASON (Aliased Serialization Object Notation) 2.0 is a token-optimized JSON compression format designed for LLMs. It reduces token usage by 20-60% while maintaining 100% lossless round-trip fidelity.
 
-ASON (Aliased Serialization Object Notation) is a token-optimized JSON compression format designed for LLMs. It reduces token usage by 20-60% while maintaining 100% lossless round-trip fidelity.
+**Key features:**
+- **Sections** (`@section`) - Organize related objects
+- **Tabular Arrays** (`key:[N]{fields}`) - CSV-like format for uniform arrays
+- **References** (`$var`) - Deduplicate repeated values
+- **Pipe Delimiter** (`|`) - More token-efficient than commas
 
-**Learn more**: [github.com/ason-format/ason](https://github.com/ason-format/ason)
+**Learn more**: [ason-format.github.io/ason](https://ason-format.github.io/ason/)
 
 ## 📖 Documentation
 

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@ason-format/mcp-server",
-  "version": "1.1.3",
+  "version": "2.0.0-preview",
   "description": "Model Context Protocol server for ASON compression/decompression. Compatible with Claude Desktop, Cline, Continue, and other MCP clients.",
   "type": "module",
   "main": "./dist/index.js",
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk": "^1.21.1",
-    "@ason-format/ason": "^1.1.3"
+    "@ason-format/ason": "^2.0.0-preview"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@types/node": "^22.0.0",

src/index.ts

@@ -11,9 +11,13 @@ import type { CompressorConfig } from "./types.js";
  */
 let globalConfig: CompressorConfig = {
   indent: 1,
-  delimiter: ",",
+  delimiter: "|",
   useReferences: true,
-  useDictionary: true,
+  useSections: true,
+  useTabular: true,
+  minFieldsForSection: 3,
+  minRowsForTabular: 2,
+  minReferenceOccurrences: 2,
 };
 
 /**
@@ -53,15 +57,31 @@ class AsonMCPServer {
               delimiter: z
                 .string()
                 .optional()
-                .describe('Field delimiter (default: ",")'),
+                .describe('Field delimiter (default: "|")'),
               useReferences: z
                 .boolean()
                 .optional()
-                .describe("Enable object references (default: true)"),
-              useDictionary: z
+                .describe("Enable $var references (default: true)"),
+              useSections: z
                 .boolean()
                 .optional()
-                .describe("Enable value dictionary (default: true)"),
+                .describe("Enable @section organization (default: true)"),
+              useTabular: z
+                .boolean()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Enable [N]{fields} tabular arrays (default: true)"),
+              minFieldsForSection: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min fields to create @section (default: 3)"),
+              minRowsForTabular: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min rows for tabular format (default: 2)"),
+              minReferenceOccurrences: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min occurrences for $var reference (default: 2)"),
             })
             .optional()
             .describe("Optional compression configuration"),
@@ -84,11 +104,12 @@ class AsonMCPServer {
             {
               type: "text",
               text:
-                `Here's your compressed ASON format! The compression achieved:\n\n` +
+                `Here's your compressed ASON 2.0 format! The compression achieved:\n\n` +
                 `**Key optimizations:**\n` +
-                `• Value deduplication: Repeated values are stored once as references\n` +
-                `• Compact syntax: Removed JSON's braces, brackets, and quotes where possible\n` +
-                `• Dot notation: Nested objects use concise dot notation\n\n` +
+                `• Sections (@section): Organize related data\n` +
+                `• Tabular Arrays ([N]{fields}): CSV-like format for uniform arrays\n` +
+                `• References ($var): Deduplicate repeated values\n` +
+                `• Pipe Delimiter (|): More token-efficient than commas\n\n` +
                 `The ASON format is **fully reversible** back to the original JSON - it's lossless compression optimized for reducing token usage when working with LLMs!\n\n` +
                 `\`\`\`ason\n` +
                 result.ason +
@@ -141,15 +162,31 @@ class AsonMCPServer {
               delimiter: z
                 .string()
                 .optional()
-                .describe('Field delimiter (default: ",")'),
+                .describe('Field delimiter (default: "|")'),
               useReferences: z
                 .boolean()
                 .optional()
-                .describe("Enable object references (default: true)"),
-              useDictionary: z
+                .describe("Enable $var references (default: true)"),
+              useSections: z
+                .boolean()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Enable @section organization (default: true)"),
+              useTabular: z
                 .boolean()
                 .optional()
-                .describe("Enable value dictionary (default: true)"),
+                .describe("Enable [N]{fields} tabular arrays (default: true)"),
+              minFieldsForSection: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min fields to create @section (default: 3)"),
+              minRowsForTabular: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min rows for tabular format (default: 2)"),
+              minReferenceOccurrences: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min occurrences for $var reference (default: 2)"),
             })
             .optional()
             .describe("Optional compression configuration for analysis"),
@@ -168,7 +205,7 @@ class AsonMCPServer {
                 `📊 **Compression Statistics**\n\n` +
                 `**Tokens**: ${stats.original_tokens} → ${stats.compressed_tokens} (${stats.reduction_percent.toFixed(1)}% reduction)\n` +
                 `**Size**: ${stats.original_size} → ${stats.compressed_size} bytes (saved ${stats.savings_bytes} bytes)\n\n` +
-                `*Config: indent=${stats.config.indent}, delimiter="${stats.config.delimiter}", refs=${stats.config.useReferences}, dict=${stats.config.useDictionary}*`,
+                `*Config: indent=${stats.config.indent}, delimiter="${stats.config.delimiter}", refs=${stats.config.useReferences}, sections=${stats.config.useSections}, tabular=${stats.config.useTabular}*`,
             },
           ],
         };
@@ -189,11 +226,27 @@ class AsonMCPServer {
               useReferences: z
                 .boolean()
                 .optional()
-                .describe("Enable object references"),
-              useDictionary: z
+                .describe("Enable $var references"),
+              useSections: z
+                .boolean()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Enable @section organization"),
+              useTabular: z
                 .boolean()
                 .optional()
-                .describe("Enable value dictionary"),
+                .describe("Enable [N]{fields} tabular arrays"),
+              minFieldsForSection: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min fields for @section"),
+              minRowsForTabular: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min rows for tabular"),
+              minReferenceOccurrences: z
+                .number()
+                .optional()
+                .describe("Min occurrences for $var"),
             })
             .describe("New global configuration"),
         },
@@ -207,7 +260,7 @@ class AsonMCPServer {
           content: [
             {
               type: "text",
-              text: `✓ Global configuration updated:\n\n**indent**: ${globalConfig.indent}\n**delimiter**: "${globalConfig.delimiter}"\n**useReferences**: ${globalConfig.useReferences}\n**useDictionary**: ${globalConfig.useDictionary}`,
+              text: `✓ Global configuration updated:\n\n**indent**: ${globalConfig.indent}\n**delimiter**: "${globalConfig.delimiter}"\n**useReferences**: ${globalConfig.useReferences}\n**useSections**: ${globalConfig.useSections}\n**useTabular**: ${globalConfig.useTabular}\n**minFieldsForSection**: ${globalConfig.minFieldsForSection}\n**minRowsForTabular**: ${globalConfig.minRowsForTabular}\n**minReferenceOccurrences**: ${globalConfig.minReferenceOccurrences}`,
             },
           ],
         };

src/tools/compress.ts

@@ -17,9 +17,13 @@ export function compressJson(input: CompressJsonInput): { ason: string; config:
     ason,
     config: {
       indent: config.indent ?? 1,
-      delimiter: config.delimiter ?? ',',
+      delimiter: config.delimiter ?? '|',
       useReferences: config.useReferences ?? true,
-      useDictionary: config.useDictionary ?? true
+      useSections: config.useSections ?? true,
+      useTabular: config.useTabular ?? true,
+      minFieldsForSection: config.minFieldsForSection ?? 3,
+      minRowsForTabular: config.minRowsForTabular ?? 2,
+      minReferenceOccurrences: config.minReferenceOccurrences ?? 2
     }
   };
 }

src/tools/stats.ts

@@ -26,9 +26,13 @@ export function getCompressionStats(input: GetStatsInput): CompressionStats & {
     savings_bytes: stats.original_size - stats.compressed_size,
     config: {
       indent: config.indent ?? 1,
-      delimiter: config.delimiter ?? ',',
+      delimiter: config.delimiter ?? '|',
       useReferences: config.useReferences ?? true,
-      useDictionary: config.useDictionary ?? true
+      useSections: config.useSections ?? true,
+      useTabular: config.useTabular ?? true,
+      minFieldsForSection: config.minFieldsForSection ?? 3,
+      minRowsForTabular: config.minRowsForTabular ?? 2,
+      minReferenceOccurrences: config.minReferenceOccurrences ?? 2
     }
   };
 }

src/types.ts

@@ -5,7 +5,11 @@ export interface CompressorConfig {
   indent?: number;
   delimiter?: string;
   useReferences?: boolean;
-  useDictionary?: boolean;
+  useSections?: boolean;
+  useTabular?: boolean;
+  minFieldsForSection?: number;
+  minRowsForTabular?: number;
+  minReferenceOccurrences?: number;
 }
 
 /**