Improve cryptonote (block and tx) binary read performance

22 files changed, 143 insertions, 200 deletions

diff --git a/src/blockchain_utilities/blockchain_blackball.cpp b/src/blockchain_utilities/blockchain_blackball.cpp
index 18a37434c..d53251fd3 100644
--- a/src/blockchain_utilities/blockchain_blackball.cpp
+++ b/src/blockchain_utilities/blockchain_blackball.cpp
@@ -388,9 +388,7 @@ static bool for_all_transactions(const std::string &filename, uint64_t &start_id
     cryptonote::transaction_prefix tx;
     blobdata bd;
     bd.assign(reinterpret_cast<char*>(v.mv_data), v.mv_size);
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    ss << bd;
-    binary_archive<false> ba(ss);
+    binary_archive<false> ba{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(bd)};
     bool r = do_serialize(ba, tx);
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to parse transaction from blob");
 
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
index c70ae1df1..6394a7071 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
@@ -152,10 +152,6 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
   };
 
-  template<typename T> static inline unsigned int getpos(T &ar) { return 0; }
-  template<> inline unsigned int getpos(binary_archive<true> &ar) { return ar.stream().tellp(); }
-  template<> inline unsigned int getpos(binary_archive<false> &ar) { return ar.stream().tellg(); }
-
   class transaction_prefix
   {
 
@@ -236,17 +232,17 @@ namespace cryptonote
         set_blob_size_valid(false);
       }
 
-      const unsigned int start_pos = getpos(ar);
+      const auto start_pos = ar.getpos();
 
       FIELDS(*static_cast<transaction_prefix *>(this))
 
       if (std::is_same<Archive<W>, binary_archive<W>>())
-        prefix_size = getpos(ar) - start_pos;
+        prefix_size = ar.getpos() - start_pos;
 
       if (version == 1)
       {
         if (std::is_same<Archive<W>, binary_archive<W>>())
-          unprunable_size = getpos(ar) - start_pos;
+          unprunable_size = ar.getpos() - start_pos;
 
         ar.tag("signatures");
         ar.begin_array();
@@ -284,11 +280,11 @@ namespace cryptonote
         {
           ar.begin_object();
           bool r = rct_signatures.serialize_rctsig_base(ar, vin.size(), vout.size());
-          if (!r || !ar.stream().good()) return false;
+          if (!r || !ar.good()) return false;
           ar.end_object();
 
           if (std::is_same<Archive<W>, binary_archive<W>>())
-            unprunable_size = getpos(ar) - start_pos;
+            unprunable_size = ar.getpos() - start_pos;
 
           if (!pruned && rct_signatures.type != rct::RCTTypeNull)
           {
@@ -296,7 +292,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
             ar.begin_object();
             r = rct_signatures.p.serialize_rctsig_prunable(ar, rct_signatures.type, vin.size(), vout.size(),
                 vin.size() > 0 && vin[0].type() == typeid(txin_to_key) ? boost::get<txin_to_key>(vin[0]).key_offsets.size() - 1 : 0);
-            if (!r || !ar.stream().good()) return false;
+            if (!r || !ar.good()) return false;
             ar.end_object();
           }
         }
@@ -320,13 +316,13 @@ namespace cryptonote
         {
           ar.begin_object();
           bool r = rct_signatures.serialize_rctsig_base(ar, vin.size(), vout.size());
-          if (!r || !ar.stream().good()) return false;
+          if (!r || !ar.good()) return false;
           ar.end_object();
         }
       }
       if (!typename Archive<W>::is_saving())
         pruned = true;
-      return ar.stream().good();
+      return ar.good();
     }
 
   private:
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
index b0c4a25d8..5cd40ce79 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
@@ -211,9 +211,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
   bool parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(const blobdata_ref& tx_blob, transaction& tx)
   {
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    ss << tx_blob;
-    binary_archive<false> ba(ss);
+    binary_archive<false> ba{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(tx_blob)};
     bool r = ::serialization::serialize(ba, tx);
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to parse transaction from blob");
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(expand_transaction_1(tx, false), false, "Failed to expand transaction data");
@@ -224,9 +222,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
   bool parse_and_validate_tx_base_from_blob(const blobdata_ref& tx_blob, transaction& tx)
   {
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    ss << tx_blob;
-    binary_archive<false> ba(ss);
+    binary_archive<false> ba{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(tx_blob)};
     bool r = tx.serialize_base(ba);
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to parse transaction from blob");
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(expand_transaction_1(tx, true), false, "Failed to expand transaction data");
@@ -236,9 +232,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
   bool parse_and_validate_tx_prefix_from_blob(const blobdata_ref& tx_blob, transaction_prefix& tx)
   {
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    ss << tx_blob;
-    binary_archive<false> ba(ss);
+    binary_archive<false> ba{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(tx_blob)};
     bool r = ::serialization::serialize_noeof(ba, tx);
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to parse transaction prefix from blob");
     return true;
@@ -246,9 +240,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
   bool parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(const blobdata_ref& tx_blob, transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash)
   {
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    ss << tx_blob;
-    binary_archive<false> ba(ss);
+    binary_archive<false> ba{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(tx_blob)};
     bool r = ::serialization::serialize(ba, tx);
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to parse transaction from blob");
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(expand_transaction_1(tx, false), false, "Failed to expand transaction data");
@@ -532,22 +524,15 @@ namespace cryptonote
     if(tx_extra.empty())
       return true;
 
-    std::string extra_str(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(tx_extra.data()), tx_extra.size());
-    std::istringstream iss(extra_str);
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::to_span(tx_extra)};
 
-    bool eof = false;
-    while (!eof)
+    do
     {
       tx_extra_field field;
       bool r = ::do_serialize(ar, field);
       CHECK_AND_NO_ASSERT_MES_L1(r, false, "failed to deserialize extra field. extra = " << string_tools::buff_to_hex_nodelimer(std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(tx_extra.data()), tx_extra.size())));
       tx_extra_fields.push_back(field);
-
-      std::ios_base::iostate state = iss.rdstate();
-      eof = (EOF == iss.peek());
-      iss.clear(state);
-    }
+    } while (!ar.eof());
     CHECK_AND_NO_ASSERT_MES_L1(::serialization::check_stream_state(ar), false, "failed to deserialize extra field. extra = " << string_tools::buff_to_hex_nodelimer(std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(tx_extra.data()), tx_extra.size())));
 
     return true;
@@ -578,13 +563,10 @@ namespace cryptonote
       return true;
     }
 
-    std::string extra_str(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(tx_extra.data()), tx_extra.size());
-    std::istringstream iss(extra_str);
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::to_span(tx_extra)};
 
-    bool eof = false;
     size_t processed = 0;
-    while (!eof)
+    do
     {
       tx_extra_field field;
       bool r = ::do_serialize(ar, field);
@@ -596,12 +578,8 @@ namespace cryptonote
         break;
       }
       tx_extra_fields.push_back(field);
-      processed = iss.tellg();
-
-      std::ios_base::iostate state = iss.rdstate();
-      eof = (EOF == iss.peek());
-      iss.clear(state);
-    }
+      processed = ar.getpos();
+    } while (!ar.eof());
     if (!::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
     {
       MWARNING("failed to deserialize extra field. extra = " << string_tools::buff_to_hex_nodelimer(std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(tx_extra.data()), tx_extra.size())));
@@ -752,24 +730,18 @@ namespace cryptonote
     if (tx_extra.empty())
       return true;
     std::string extra_str(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(tx_extra.data()), tx_extra.size());
-    std::istringstream iss(extra_str);
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(extra_str)};
     std::ostringstream oss;
     binary_archive<true> newar(oss);
 
-    bool eof = false;
-    while (!eof)
+    do
     {
       tx_extra_field field;
       bool r = ::do_serialize(ar, field);
       CHECK_AND_NO_ASSERT_MES_L1(r, false, "failed to deserialize extra field. extra = " << string_tools::buff_to_hex_nodelimer(std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(tx_extra.data()), tx_extra.size())));
       if (field.type() != type)
         ::do_serialize(newar, field);
-
-      std::ios_base::iostate state = iss.rdstate();
-      eof = (EOF == iss.peek());
-      iss.clear(state);
-    }
+    } while (!ar.eof());
     CHECK_AND_NO_ASSERT_MES_L1(::serialization::check_stream_state(ar), false, "failed to deserialize extra field. extra = " << string_tools::buff_to_hex_nodelimer(std::string(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(tx_extra.data()), tx_extra.size())));
     tx_extra.clear();
     std::string s = oss.str();
@@ -1357,9 +1329,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
   bool parse_and_validate_block_from_blob(const blobdata_ref& b_blob, block& b, crypto::hash *block_hash)
   {
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    ss << b_blob;
-    binary_archive<false> ba(ss);
+    binary_archive<false> ba{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(b_blob)};
     bool r = ::serialization::serialize(ba, b);
     CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to parse block from blob");
     b.invalidate_hashes();
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.h b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.h
index b311bd2b2..3fe4c44e7 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.h
@@ -148,9 +148,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
   template<class t_object>
   bool t_serializable_object_from_blob(t_object& to, const blobdata& b_blob)
   {
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    ss << b_blob;
-    binary_archive<false> ba(ss);
+    binary_archive<false> ba{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(b_blob)};
     bool r = ::serialization::serialize(ba, to);
     return r;
   }
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/tx_extra.h b/src/cryptonote_basic/tx_extra.h
index 50f2e1438..76efc22d3 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/tx_extra.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/tx_extra.h
@@ -57,11 +57,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
       // size - 1 - because of variant tag
       for (size = 1; size <= TX_EXTRA_PADDING_MAX_COUNT; ++size)
       {
-        std::ios_base::iostate state = ar.stream().rdstate();
-        bool eof = EOF == ar.stream().peek();
-        ar.stream().clear(state);
-
-        if (eof)
+        if (ar.eof())
           break;
 
         uint8_t zero;
@@ -139,8 +135,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
       if(!::do_serialize(ar, field))
         return false;
 
-      std::istringstream iss(field);
-      binary_archive<false> iar(iss);
+      binary_archive<false> iar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(field)};
       serialize_helper helper(*this);
       return ::serialization::serialize(iar, helper);
     }
diff --git a/src/device_trezor/trezor/protocol.hpp b/src/device_trezor/trezor/protocol.hpp
index fa824ec3b..0fdd36a51 100644
--- a/src/device_trezor/trezor/protocol.hpp
+++ b/src/device_trezor/trezor/protocol.hpp
@@ -66,9 +66,7 @@ namespace protocol{
 
   template<typename T>
   bool cn_deserialize(const void * buff, size_t len, T & dst){
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    ss.write(static_cast<const char *>(buff), len);  //ss << tx_blob;
-    binary_archive<false> ba(ss);
+    binary_archive<false> ba{{reinterpret_cast<const std::uint8_t*>(buff), len}};
     bool r = ::serialization::serialize(ba, dst);
     return r;
   }
diff --git a/src/ringct/rctTypes.h b/src/ringct/rctTypes.h
index 00b72123a..278ff4164 100644
--- a/src/ringct/rctTypes.h
+++ b/src/ringct/rctTypes.h
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ namespace rct {
         {
           FIELD(type)
           if (type == RCTTypeNull)
-            return ar.stream().good();
+            return ar.good();
           if (type != RCTTypeFull && type != RCTTypeSimple && type != RCTTypeBulletproof && type != RCTTypeBulletproof2 && type != RCTTypeCLSAG)
             return false;
           VARINT_FIELD(txnFee)
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ namespace rct {
               ar.delimit_array();
           }
           ar.end_array();
-          return ar.stream().good();
+          return ar.good();
         }
 
         BEGIN_SERIALIZE_OBJECT()
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ namespace rct {
           if (mixin >= 0xffffffff)
             return false;
           if (type == RCTTypeNull)
-            return ar.stream().good();
+            return ar.good();
           if (type != RCTTypeFull && type != RCTTypeSimple && type != RCTTypeBulletproof && type != RCTTypeBulletproof2 && type != RCTTypeCLSAG)
             return false;
           if (type == RCTTypeBulletproof || type == RCTTypeBulletproof2 || type == RCTTypeCLSAG)
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ namespace rct {
             }
             ar.end_array();
           }
-          return ar.stream().good();
+          return ar.good();
         }
 
         BEGIN_SERIALIZE_OBJECT()
diff --git a/src/rpc/rpc_payment.cpp b/src/rpc/rpc_payment.cpp
index bf6584f72..f0c513911 100644
--- a/src/rpc/rpc_payment.cpp
+++ b/src/rpc/rpc_payment.cpp
@@ -293,12 +293,13 @@ namespace cryptonote
     MINFO("loading rpc payments data from " << state_file_path);
     std::ifstream data;
     data.open(state_file_path, std::ios_base::binary | std::ios_base::in);
+    std::string bytes(std::istream_iterator<char>{data}, std::istream_iterator<char>{});
     if (!data.fail())
     {
       bool loaded = false;
       try
       {
-        binary_archive<false> ar(data);
+        binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(bytes)};
         if (::serialization::serialize(ar, *this))
           if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
             loaded = true;
@@ -306,6 +307,8 @@ namespace cryptonote
       catch (...) {}
       if (!loaded)
       {
+        bytes.clear();
+        bytes.shrink_to_fit();
         try
         {
           boost::archive::portable_binary_iarchive a(data);
diff --git a/src/serialization/binary_archive.h b/src/serialization/binary_archive.h
index 49ca8aa57..acda70039 100644
--- a/src/serialization/binary_archive.h
+++ b/src/serialization/binary_archive.h
@@ -36,9 +36,11 @@
 #include <cassert>
 #include <iostream>
 #include <iterator>
+#include <boost/endian/conversion.hpp>
 #include <boost/type_traits/make_unsigned.hpp>
 
 #include "common/varint.h"
+#include "span.h"
 #include "warnings.h"
 
 /* I have no clue what these lines means */
@@ -55,16 +57,15 @@ DISABLE_VS_WARNINGS(4244)
  * purpse is to define the functions used for the binary_archive. Its
  * a header, basically. I think it was declared simply to save typing...
  */
-template <class Stream, bool IsSaving>
+template <bool IsSaving>
 struct binary_archive_base
 {
-  typedef Stream stream_type;
-  typedef binary_archive_base<Stream, IsSaving> base_type;
+  typedef binary_archive_base<IsSaving> base_type;
   typedef boost::mpl::bool_<IsSaving> is_saving;
 
   typedef uint8_t variant_tag_type;
 
-  explicit binary_archive_base(stream_type &s) : stream_(s) { }
+  explicit binary_archive_base() { }
   
   /* definition of standard API functions */
   void tag(const char *) { }
@@ -72,12 +73,6 @@ struct binary_archive_base
   void end_object() { }
   void begin_variant() { }
   void end_variant() { }
-  /* I just want to leave a comment saying how this line really shows
-     flaws in the ownership model of many OOP languages, that is all. */
-  stream_type &stream() { return stream_; } 
-
-protected:
-  stream_type &stream_;
 };
 
 /* \struct binary_archive
@@ -95,15 +90,18 @@ struct binary_archive;
 
 
 template <>
-struct binary_archive<false> : public binary_archive_base<std::istream, false>
+struct binary_archive<false> : public binary_archive_base<false>
 {
+  explicit binary_archive(epee::span<const std::uint8_t> s)
+    : base_type(), bytes_(s), begin_(s.begin()), good_(true), varint_bug_backward_compatibility_(false)
+  {}
 
-  explicit binary_archive(stream_type &s) : base_type(s), varint_bug_backward_compatibility_(false) {
-    stream_type::pos_type pos = stream_.tellg();
-    stream_.seekg(0, std::ios_base::end);
-    eof_pos_ = stream_.tellg();
-    stream_.seekg(pos);
-  }
+  bool good() const noexcept { return good_; }
+  void set_fail() noexcept { good_ = false; }
+
+  //! If implementing as `std::istream`, reset stream error state after `peek()` call.
+  bool eof() const noexcept { return bytes_.empty(); }
+  std::size_t getpos() const noexcept { return bytes_.begin() - begin_; }
 
   template <class T>
   void serialize_int(T &v)
@@ -116,24 +114,24 @@ struct binary_archive<false> : public binary_archive_base<std::istream, false>
    * \brief serializes an unsigned integer
    */
   template <class T>
-  void serialize_uint(T &v, size_t width = sizeof(T))
+  void serialize_uint(T &v)
   {
-    T ret = 0;
-    unsigned shift = 0;
-    for (size_t i = 0; i < width; i++) {
-      //std::cerr << "tell: " << stream_.tellg() << " value: " << ret << std::endl;
-      char c;
-      stream_.get(c);
-      T b = (unsigned char)c;
-      ret += (b << shift);	// can this be changed to OR, i think it can.
-      shift += 8;
+    const std::size_t actual = bytes_.remove_prefix(sizeof(T));
+    good_ &= (actual == sizeof(T));
+    if (actual == sizeof(T))
+    {
+      std::memcpy(std::addressof(v), bytes_.data() - sizeof(T), sizeof(T));
+      boost::endian::little_to_native_inplace(v); // epee isn't templated
     }
-    v = ret;
+    else
+      v = 0; // ensures initialization
   }
   
   void serialize_blob(void *buf, size_t len, const char *delimiter="")
   {
-    stream_.read((char *)buf, len);
+    const std::size_t actual = bytes_.remove_prefix(len);
+    good_ &= (len == actual);
+    std::memcpy(buf, bytes_.data() - actual, actual);
   }
   
   template <class T>
@@ -145,9 +143,11 @@ struct binary_archive<false> : public binary_archive_base<std::istream, false>
   template <class T>
   void serialize_uvarint(T &v)
   {
-    typedef std::istreambuf_iterator<char> it;
-    if (tools::read_varint(it(stream_), it(), v) < 0)
-      stream_.setstate(std::ios_base::failbit);
+    auto current = bytes_.cbegin();
+    auto end = bytes_.cend();
+    good_ &= (0 <= tools::read_varint(current, end, v));
+    current = std::min(current, bytes_.cend());
+    bytes_ = {current, std::size_t(bytes_.cend() - current)};
   }
 
   void begin_array(size_t &s)
@@ -166,26 +166,26 @@ struct binary_archive<false> : public binary_archive_base<std::istream, false>
     serialize_int(t);
   }
 
-  size_t remaining_bytes() {
-    if (!stream_.good())
-      return 0;
-    //std::cerr << "tell: " << stream_.tellg() << std::endl;
-    assert(stream_.tellg() <= eof_pos_);
-    return eof_pos_ - stream_.tellg();
-  }
-
+  size_t remaining_bytes() const noexcept { return good() ? bytes_.size() : 0; }
   void enable_varint_bug_backward_compatibility() { varint_bug_backward_compatibility_ = true; }
   bool varint_bug_backward_compatibility_enabled() const { return varint_bug_backward_compatibility_; }
-
 protected:
-  std::streamoff eof_pos_;
+  epee::span<const std::uint8_t> bytes_;
+  std::uint8_t const* const begin_;
+  bool good_;
   bool varint_bug_backward_compatibility_;
 };
 
 template <>
-struct binary_archive<true> : public binary_archive_base<std::ostream, true>
+struct binary_archive<true> : public binary_archive_base<true>
 {
-  explicit binary_archive(stream_type &s) : base_type(s) { }
+  typedef std::ostream stream_type;
+  explicit binary_archive(stream_type &s) : base_type(), stream_(s) { }
+
+  bool good() const { return stream_.good(); }
+  void set_fail() { stream_.setstate(std::ios::failbit); }
+
+  std::streampos getpos() const { return stream_.tellp(); }
 
   template <class T>
   void serialize_int(T v)
@@ -234,6 +234,8 @@ struct binary_archive<true> : public binary_archive_base<std::ostream, true>
   }
 
   bool varint_bug_backward_compatibility_enabled() const { return false; }
+protected:
+  stream_type& stream_;
 };
 
 POP_WARNINGS
diff --git a/src/serialization/binary_utils.h b/src/serialization/binary_utils.h
index 8635585af..8444f220e 100644
--- a/src/serialization/binary_utils.h
+++ b/src/serialization/binary_utils.h
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@ namespace serialization {
   template <class T>
     bool parse_binary(const std::string &blob, T &v)
     {
-      std::istringstream istr(blob);
-      binary_archive<false> iar(istr);
+      binary_archive<false> iar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(blob)};
       return ::serialization::serialize(iar, v);
     }
 
diff --git a/src/serialization/container.h b/src/serialization/container.h
index a4997c8ae..77681ec93 100644
--- a/src/serialization/container.h
+++ b/src/serialization/container.h
@@ -67,13 +67,13 @@ bool do_serialize_container(Archive<false> &ar, C &v)
 {
   size_t cnt;
   ar.begin_array(cnt);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   v.clear();
 
   // very basic sanity check
   if (ar.remaining_bytes() < cnt) {
-    ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
+    ar.set_fail();
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ bool do_serialize_container(Archive<false> &ar, C &v)
     if (!::serialization::detail::serialize_container_element(ar, e))
       return false;
     ::serialization::detail::do_add(v, std::move(e));
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
+    if (!ar.good())
       return false;
   }
   ar.end_array();
@@ -100,13 +100,13 @@ bool do_serialize_container(Archive<true> &ar, C &v)
   ar.begin_array(cnt);
   for (auto i = v.begin(); i != v.end(); ++i)
   {
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
+    if (!ar.good())
       return false;
     if (i != v.begin())
       ar.delimit_array();
     if(!::serialization::detail::serialize_container_element(ar, (typename C::value_type&)*i))
       return false;
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
+    if (!ar.good())
       return false;
   }
   ar.end_array();
diff --git a/src/serialization/crypto.h b/src/serialization/crypto.h
index 42bd06e92..d635a9ee9 100644
--- a/src/serialization/crypto.h
+++ b/src/serialization/crypto.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::vector<crypto::signature> &v)
 
   // very basic sanity check
   if (ar.remaining_bytes() < cnt*sizeof(crypto::signature)) {
-    ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
+    ar.set_fail();
     return false;
   }
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::vector<crypto::signature> &v)
   for (size_t i = 0; i < cnt; i++) {
     v.resize(i+1);
     ar.serialize_blob(&(v[i]), sizeof(crypto::signature), "");
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
+    if (!ar.good())
       return false;
   }
   return true;
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::vector<crypto::signature> &v)
   size_t cnt = v.size();
   for (size_t i = 0; i < cnt; i++) {
     ar.serialize_blob(&(v[i]), sizeof(crypto::signature), "");
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
+    if (!ar.good())
       return false;
   }
   ar.end_string();
diff --git a/src/serialization/debug_archive.h b/src/serialization/debug_archive.h
index b04d6ae19..e8ccb9a58 100644
--- a/src/serialization/debug_archive.h
+++ b/src/serialization/debug_archive.h
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ struct debug_archive : public json_archive<W> {
   typedef typename json_archive<W>::stream_type stream_type;
 
   debug_archive(stream_type &s) : json_archive<W>(s) { }
+  stream_type& stream() { return this->stream_; }
 };
 
 template <class T>
diff --git a/src/serialization/difficulty_type.h b/src/serialization/difficulty_type.h
index 56c0312e7..75d1fd13f 100644
--- a/src/serialization/difficulty_type.h
+++ b/src/serialization/difficulty_type.h
@@ -38,10 +38,10 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive<false>& ar, cryptonote::difficulty_type &diff)
 {
   uint64_t hi, lo;
   ar.serialize_varint(hi);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   ar.serialize_varint(lo);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   diff = hi;
   diff <<= 64;
@@ -52,13 +52,13 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive<false>& ar, cryptonote::difficulty_type &diff)
 template <template <bool> class Archive>
 inline bool do_serialize(Archive<true>& ar, cryptonote::difficulty_type &diff)
 {
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   const uint64_t hi = ((diff >> 64) & 0xffffffffffffffff).convert_to<uint64_t>();
   const uint64_t lo = (diff & 0xffffffffffffffff).convert_to<uint64_t>();
   ar.serialize_varint(hi);
   ar.serialize_varint(lo);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   return true;
 }
diff --git a/src/serialization/json_archive.h b/src/serialization/json_archive.h
index 3f98b5101..bab6dfa94 100644
--- a/src/serialization/json_archive.h
+++ b/src/serialization/json_archive.h
@@ -58,6 +58,10 @@ struct json_archive_base
   json_archive_base(stream_type &s, bool indent = false)
   : stream_(s), indent_(indent), object_begin(false), depth_(0) { }
 
+  bool good() const { return stream_.good(); }
+  void set_fail() { stream_.setstate(std::ios::failbit); }
+  void clear_fail() { stream_.clear(); }
+
   void tag(const char *tag) {
     if (!object_begin)
       stream_ << ", ";
@@ -82,7 +86,6 @@ struct json_archive_base
 
   void begin_variant() { begin_object(); }
   void end_variant() { end_object(); }
-  Stream &stream() { return stream_; }
 
   bool varint_bug_backward_compatibility_enabled() const { return false; }
 
@@ -117,6 +120,8 @@ struct json_archive<true> : public json_archive_base<std::ostream, true>
 {
   json_archive(stream_type &s, bool indent = false) : base_type(s, indent), inner_array_size_(0) { }
 
+  std::streampos getpos() const { return stream_.tellp(); }
+
   template<typename T>
   static auto promote_to_printable_integer_type(T v) -> decltype(+v)
   {
diff --git a/src/serialization/pair.h b/src/serialization/pair.h
index 44aafa04d..2d9a89242 100644
--- a/src/serialization/pair.h
+++ b/src/serialization/pair.h
@@ -69,19 +69,19 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive<false>& ar, std::pair<F,S>& p)
 {
   size_t cnt;
   ar.begin_array(cnt);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   if (cnt != 2)
     return false;
 
   if (!::serialization::detail::serialize_pair_element(ar, p.first))
     return false;
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   ar.delimit_array();
   if (!::serialization::detail::serialize_pair_element(ar, p.second))
     return false;
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
 
   ar.end_array();
@@ -92,16 +92,16 @@ template <template <bool> class Archive, class F, class S>
 inline bool do_serialize(Archive<true>& ar, std::pair<F,S>& p)
 {
   ar.begin_array(2);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   if(!::serialization::detail::serialize_pair_element(ar, p.first))
     return false;
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   ar.delimit_array();
   if(!::serialization::detail::serialize_pair_element(ar, p.second))
     return false;
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
+  if (!ar.good())
     return false;
   ar.end_array();
   return true;
diff --git a/src/serialization/serialization.h b/src/serialization/serialization.h
index 3ebeed171..4acadeab3 100644
--- a/src/serialization/serialization.h
+++ b/src/serialization/serialization.h
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
  * \brief self-explanatory
  */
 #define END_SERIALIZE()				\
-  return ar.stream().good();			\
+  return ar.good();				\
   }
 
 /*! \macro VALUE(f)
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
   do {							\
     ar.tag(#f);						\
     bool r = ::do_serialize(ar, f);			\
-    if (!r || !ar.stream().good()) return false;	\
+    if (!r || !ar.good()) return false;			\
   } while(0);
 
 /*! \macro FIELD_N(t,f)
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
   do {							\
     ar.tag(t);						\
     bool r = ::do_serialize(ar, f);			\
-    if (!r || !ar.stream().good()) return false;	\
+    if (!r || !ar.good()) return false;			\
   } while(0);
 
 /*! \macro FIELD(f)
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
   do {							\
     ar.tag(#f);						\
     bool r = ::do_serialize(ar, f);			\
-    if (!r || !ar.stream().good()) return false;	\
+    if (!r || !ar.good()) return false;			\
   } while(0);
 
 /*! \macro FIELDS(f)
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
 #define FIELDS(f)							\
   do {									\
     bool r = ::do_serialize(ar, f);					\
-    if (!r || !ar.stream().good()) return false;			\
+    if (!r || !ar.good()) return false;					\
   } while(0);
 
 /*! \macro VARINT_FIELD(f)
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
   do {						\
     ar.tag(#f);					\
     ar.serialize_varint(f);			\
-    if (!ar.stream().good()) return false;	\
+    if (!ar.good()) return false;		\
   } while(0);
 
 /*! \macro VARINT_FIELD_N(t, f)
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
   do {						\
     ar.tag(t);					\
     ar.serialize_varint(f);			\
-    if (!ar.stream().good()) return false;	\
+    if (!ar.good()) return false;		\
   } while(0);
 
 /*! \macro MAGIC_FIELD(m)
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
   do {						\
     ar.tag("magic");				\
     ar.serialize_blob((void*)magic.data(), magic.size()); \
-    if (!ar.stream().good()) return false;	\
+    if (!ar.good()) return false;		\
     if (magic != m) return false;		\
   } while(0);
 
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive &ar, bool &v)
   do {						\
     ar.tag("version");				\
     ar.serialize_varint(version);		\
-    if (!ar.stream().good()) return false;	\
+    if (!ar.good()) return false;		\
   } while(0);
 
 
@@ -339,10 +339,10 @@ namespace serialization {
      *
      * \brief self explanatory
      */
-    template<class Stream>
-    bool do_check_stream_state(Stream& s, boost::mpl::bool_<true>, bool noeof)
+    template<class Archive>
+    bool do_check_stream_state(Archive& ar, boost::mpl::bool_<true>, bool noeof)
     {
-      return s.good();
+      return ar.good();
     }
     /*! \fn do_check_stream_state
      *
@@ -350,15 +350,13 @@ namespace serialization {
      *
      * \detailed Also checks to make sure that the stream is not at EOF
      */
-    template<class Stream>
-    bool do_check_stream_state(Stream& s, boost::mpl::bool_<false>, bool noeof)
+    template<class Archive>
+    bool do_check_stream_state(Archive& ar, boost::mpl::bool_<false>, bool noeof)
     {
       bool result = false;
-      if (s.good())
+      if (ar.good())
 	{
-	  std::ios_base::iostate state = s.rdstate();
-	  result = noeof || EOF == s.peek();
-	  s.clear(state);
+	  result = noeof || ar.eof();
 	}
       return result;
     }
@@ -371,7 +369,7 @@ namespace serialization {
   template<class Archive>
   bool check_stream_state(Archive& ar, bool noeof = false)
   {
-    return detail::do_check_stream_state(ar.stream(), typename Archive::is_saving(), noeof);
+    return detail::do_check_stream_state(ar, typename Archive::is_saving(), noeof);
   }
 
   /*! \fn serialize
diff --git a/src/serialization/string.h b/src/serialization/string.h
index f5f69833a..f1f8f4ab0 100644
--- a/src/serialization/string.h
+++ b/src/serialization/string.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ inline bool do_serialize(Archive<false>& ar, std::string& str)
   ar.serialize_varint(size);
   if (ar.remaining_bytes() < size)
   {
-    ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
+    ar.set_fail();
     return false;
   }
 
diff --git a/src/serialization/variant.h b/src/serialization/variant.h
index b08cf6bf0..6debb63d1 100644
--- a/src/serialization/variant.h
+++ b/src/serialization/variant.h
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ struct variant_reader
       current_type x;
       if(!::do_serialize(ar, x))
       {
-        ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
+        ar.set_fail();
         return false;
       }
       v = x;
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ struct variant_reader<Archive, Variant, TBegin, TBegin>
 
   static inline bool read(Archive &ar, Variant &v, variant_tag_type t)
   {
-    ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
+    ar.set_fail();
     return false;
   }
 };
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ struct serializer<Archive<false>, boost::variant<BOOST_VARIANT_ENUM_PARAMS(T)>>
        typename boost::mpl::begin<types>::type,
        typename boost::mpl::end<types>::type>::read(ar, v, t))
     {
-      ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
+      ar.set_fail();
       return false;
     }
     ar.end_variant();
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ struct serializer<Archive<true>, boost::variant<BOOST_VARIANT_ENUM_PARAMS(T)>>
       ar.write_variant_tag(variant_serialization_traits<Archive<true>, T>::get_tag());
       if(!::do_serialize(ar, rv))
       {
-        ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
+        ar.set_fail();
         return false;
       }
       ar.end_variant();
diff --git a/src/wallet/message_store.cpp b/src/wallet/message_store.cpp
index b7b29420b..34b4f440b 100644
--- a/src/wallet/message_store.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/message_store.cpp
@@ -193,9 +193,7 @@ void message_store::unpack_signer_config(const multisig_wallet_state &state, con
 {
   try
   {
-    std::stringstream iss;
-    iss << signer_config;
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(signer_config)};
     THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!::serialization::serialize(ar, signers), tools::error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to serialize signer config");
   }
   catch (...)
@@ -383,9 +381,7 @@ void message_store::process_auto_config_data_message(uint32_t id)
   auto_config_data data;
   try
   {
-    std::stringstream iss;
-    iss << m.content;
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(m.content)};
     THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!::serialization::serialize(ar, data), tools::error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to serialize auto config data");
   }
   catch (...)
@@ -790,9 +786,7 @@ void message_store::read_from_file(const multisig_wallet_state &state, const std
   file_data read_file_data;
   try
   {
-    std::stringstream iss;
-    iss << buf;
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(buf)};
     if (::serialization::serialize(ar, read_file_data))
       if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
         loaded = true;
@@ -829,9 +823,7 @@ void message_store::read_from_file(const multisig_wallet_state &state, const std
   loaded = false;
   try
   {
-    std::stringstream iss;
-    iss << decrypted_data;
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(decrypted_data)};
     if (::serialization::serialize(ar, *this))
       if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
         loaded = true;
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
index c3325c24d..f18e3abc7 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
@@ -5701,17 +5701,13 @@ void wallet2::load(const std::string& wallet_, const epee::wipeable_string& pass
 
         try
         {
-          std::stringstream iss;
-          iss << cache_data;
-          binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+          binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(cache_data)};
           if (::serialization::serialize(ar, *this))
             if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
               loaded = true;
           if (!loaded)
           {
-            std::stringstream iss;
-            iss << cache_data;
-            binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+            binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(cache_data)};
             ar.enable_varint_bug_backward_compatibility();
             if (::serialization::serialize(ar, *this))
               if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
@@ -6786,8 +6782,7 @@ bool wallet2::parse_unsigned_tx_from_str(const std::string &unsigned_tx_st, unsi
     catch(const std::exception &e) { LOG_PRINT_L0("Failed to decrypt unsigned tx: " << e.what()); return false; }
     try
     {
-      std::istringstream iss(s);
-      binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+      binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(s)};
       if (!::serialization::serialize(ar, exported_txs))
       {
         LOG_PRINT_L0("Failed to parse data from unsigned tx");
@@ -7101,8 +7096,7 @@ bool wallet2::parse_tx_from_str(const std::string &signed_tx_st, std::vector<too
     catch (const std::exception &e) { LOG_PRINT_L0("Failed to decrypt signed transaction: " << e.what()); return false; }
     try
     {
-      std::istringstream iss(s);
-      binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+      binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(s)};
       if (!::serialization::serialize(ar, signed_txs))
       {
         LOG_PRINT_L0("Failed to deserialize signed transaction");
@@ -7237,8 +7231,7 @@ bool wallet2::parse_multisig_tx_from_str(std::string multisig_tx_st, multisig_tx
   bool loaded = false;
   try
   {
-    std::istringstream iss(multisig_tx_st);
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(multisig_tx_st)};
     if (::serialization::serialize(ar, exported_txs))
       if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
         loaded = true;
@@ -12027,8 +12020,7 @@ bool wallet2::check_reserve_proof(const cryptonote::account_public_address &addr
   serializable_unordered_map<crypto::public_key, crypto::signature> subaddr_spendkeys;
   try
   {
-    std::istringstream iss(sig_decoded);
-    binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+    binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(sig_decoded)};
     if (::serialization::serialize_noeof(ar, proofs))
       if (::serialization::serialize_noeof(ar, subaddr_spendkeys))
         if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
@@ -13212,9 +13204,7 @@ size_t wallet2::import_outputs_from_str(const std::string &outputs_st)
     std::pair<uint64_t, std::vector<tools::wallet2::transfer_details>> outputs;
     try
     {
-      std::stringstream iss;
-      iss << body;
-      binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+      binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(body)};
       if (::serialization::serialize(ar, outputs))
         if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
           loaded = true;
@@ -13466,8 +13456,7 @@ size_t wallet2::import_multisig(std::vector<cryptonote::blobdata> blobs)
     bool loaded = false;
     try
     {
-      std::istringstream iss(body);
-      binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+      binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(body)};
       if (::serialization::serialize(ar, i))
         if (::serialization::check_stream_state(ar))
           loaded = true;
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
index 0b200ae60..4fbda72da 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
@@ -1555,8 +1555,7 @@ namespace tools
 
     try
     {
-      std::istringstream iss(blob);
-      binary_archive<false> ar(iss);
+      binary_archive<false> ar{epee::strspan<std::uint8_t>(blob)};
       if (::serialization::serialize(ar, ptx))
         loaded = true;
     }