New ?_shape=array option + tweaks to _shape, closes #245

* Default is now ?_shape=arrays (renamed from lists)
* New ?_shape=array returns an array of objects as the root object
* Changed ?_shape=object to return the object as the root
* Updated docs

datasette/app.py

@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ class BaseView(RenderMixin):
                     forward_querystring=False
                 )
             # Deal with the _shape option
-            shape = request.args.get('_shape', 'lists')
+            shape = request.args.get('_shape', 'arrays')
             if shape in ('objects', 'object', 'array'):
                 columns = data.get('columns')
                 rows = data.get('rows')
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ class BaseView(RenderMixin):
                             for row in data['rows']:
                                 pk_string = path_from_row_pks(row, pks, not pks)
                                 object_rows[pk_string] = row
-                            data['rows'] = object_rows
+                            data = object_rows
                     if error:
                         data = {
                             'ok': False,
@@ -283,9 +283,18 @@ class BaseView(RenderMixin):
                             'database': name,
                             'database_hash': hash,
                         }
-                if shape == 'array':
+                elif shape == 'array':
                     data = data['rows']
-
+            elif shape == 'arrays':
+                pass
+            else:
+                status_code = 400
+                data = {
+                    'ok': False,
+                    'error': 'Invalid _shape: {}'.format(shape),
+                    'status': 400,
+                    'title': None,
+                }
             headers = {}
             if self.ds.cors:
                 headers['Access-Control-Allow-Origin'] = '*'

docs/json_api.rst

@@ -59,12 +59,16 @@ The ``_shape`` parameter can be used to access alternative formats for the
 ``rows`` key which may be more convenient for your application. There are three
 options:
 
-* ``?_shape=lists`` - the default option, shown above
-* ``?_shape=objects`` - a list of JSON key/value objects
-* ``?_shape=object`` - a JSON object keyed using the primary keys of the rows
+* ``?_shape=arrays`` - ``"rows"`` is the default option, shown above
+* ``?_shape=objects`` - ``"rows"`` is a list of JSON key/value objects
+* ``?_shape=array`` - the entire response is an array of objects
+* ``?_shape=object`` - the entire response is a JSON object keyed using the primary keys of the rows
 
 ``objects`` looks like this::
 
+    {
+        "database": "sf-trees",
+        ...
         "rows": [
             {
                 "id": 1,
@@ -79,10 +83,28 @@ options:
                 "value": "Pinus radiata :: Monterey Pine"
             }
         ]
+    }
+
+``array`` looks like this::
+
+    [
+        {
+            "id": 1,
+            "value": "Myoporum laetum :: Myoporum"
+        },
+        {
+            "id": 2,
+            "value": "Metrosideros excelsa :: New Zealand Xmas Tree"
+        },
+        {
+            "id": 3,
+            "value": "Pinus radiata :: Monterey Pine"
+        }
+    ]
 
 ``object`` looks like this::
 
-    "rows": {
+    {
         "1": {
             "id": 1,
             "value": "Myoporum laetum :: Myoporum"

tests/test_api.py

@@ -330,9 +330,9 @@ def test_jsono_redirects_to_shape_objects(app_client):
     assert response.headers['Location'].endswith('?_shape=objects')
 
 
-def test_table_shape_lists(app_client):
+def test_table_shape_arrays(app_client):
     response = app_client.get(
-        '/test_tables/simple_primary_key.json?_shape=lists',
+        '/test_tables/simple_primary_key.json?_shape=arrays',
         gather_request=False
     )
     assert [
@@ -359,6 +359,36 @@ def test_table_shape_objects(app_client):
     }] == response.json['rows']
 
 
+def test_table_shape_array(app_client):
+    response = app_client.get(
+        '/test_tables/simple_primary_key.json?_shape=array',
+        gather_request=False
+    )
+    assert [{
+        'id': '1',
+        'content': 'hello',
+    }, {
+        'id': '2',
+        'content': 'world',
+    }, {
+        'id': '3',
+        'content': '',
+    }] == response.json
+
+
+def test_table_shape_invalid(app_client):
+    response = app_client.get(
+        '/test_tables/simple_primary_key.json?_shape=invalid',
+        gather_request=False
+    )
+    assert {
+        'ok': False,
+        'error': 'Invalid _shape: invalid',
+        'status': 400,
+        'title': None,
+    } == response.json
+
+
 def test_table_shape_object(app_client):
     response = app_client.get(
         '/test_tables/simple_primary_key.json?_shape=object',
@@ -377,7 +407,7 @@ def test_table_shape_object(app_client):
             'id': '3',
             'content': '',
         }
-    } == response.json['rows']
+    } == response.json
 
 
 def test_table_shape_object_compound_primary_Key(app_client):
@@ -391,7 +421,7 @@ def test_table_shape_object_compound_primary_Key(app_client):
             'pk2': 'b',
             'content': 'c',
         }
-    } == response.json['rows']
+    } == response.json
 
 
 def test_table_with_slashes_in_name(app_client):