FlexibleParser

Namespace: Glyph11.Parser.FlexibleParser

A minimal-validation HTTP/1.1 header parser optimized for maximum throughput. Performs no RFC compliance checks, no character validation, and enforces no resource limits.

Usage

using Glyph11.Parser.FlexibleParser;

// Entry point — auto-dispatches based on segment layout
bool ok = FlexibleParser.TryExtractFullHeader(
    ref buffer,       // ReadOnlySequence<byte>
    request,          // BinaryRequest
    out int bytesRead
);

// Direct ROM access (single contiguous buffer)
ReadOnlyMemory<byte> mem = ...;
bool ok = FlexibleParser.TryExtractFullHeaderReadOnlyMemory(
    ref mem, request, out int bytesRead
);

Return Values

• Returns false if the header is incomplete (no \r\n\r\n terminator found). This is not an error — the caller should wait for more data.
• Returns true when a complete header has been parsed. bytesReadCount indicates how many bytes were consumed.
• Throws HttpParseException only for structurally unparseable input (missing request line spaces).

Behavior

The FlexibleParser prioritizes speed over strictness:

• No character validation on method, header names, or header values
• No resource limits — no maximum header count, name length, value length, or URL length
• No HTTP version validation — accepts any version string
• Malformed header lines (missing colon) are silently skipped, not rejected
• No bare LF rejection — accepts both CRLF and bare LF line endings
• No obs-fold rejection — continuation lines are not detected

Multi-Segment Handling

Same as HardenedParser — when input arrives as multiple ReadOnlySequence<byte> segments, the entry point automatically linearizes the buffer before parsing. See Multi-Segment Handling for details.

Migrating to HardenedParser

// Before (FlexibleParser — no limits parameter)
FlexibleParser.TryExtractFullHeader(ref buffer, request, out bytesRead);

// After (HardenedParser — add ParserLimits)
var limits = ParserLimits.Default;
HardenedParser.TryExtractFullHeader(ref buffer, request, in limits, out bytesRead);