Since you're installing modules anyway, why not install JSON::XS. Doing so will make JSON.pm a "million" times faster.

Caveat: It doesn't support threads.

Note: I don't use JSON.pm because it defaults to the slow JSON::PP. I used to use JSON::XS directly.

Note: I don't use JSON::XS because of the author's attitude and his unwillingness to support threads and who knows what else. I use Cpanel::JSON::XS directly.

JSON.pm supports Cpanel::JSON::XS, but requires the use of an env var. That said, it doesn't support boolean_values.