diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 149136d..0f73929 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,3 +1,11 @@
+# AI
+.agents/
+.claude/
+.gemini/
+plans/
+GEMINI.md
+CLAUDE.md
+
 # VStudio stuff
 /.vs
 /.vscode
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 80cd47a..0a4b2a6 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,6 +5,16 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
+## [0.2.8] - 2026-09-13
+
+### Changed
+- Incremented version to 0.2.8.
+- **Breaking Change**: Conformed empty and whitespace-only document parsing to RFC 4627, RFC 7159, RFC 8259, and JSON5 specifications. Parsing empty strings, whitespace-only content, or empty files now returns `nullptr` (or throws `TJParseException` when `throw_exception = true`) instead of fabricating an empty `TJValueString`.
+- `TJ::is_valid("")` now correctly returns `false`.
+
+### Fixed
+- Fixed inconsistent behaviour where JSON5 returned `nullptr` on empty input while RFC 7159/8259 returned a `TJValueString`.
+
 ## [0.2.7] - 2026-06-27
 
 ### Added
@@ -22,7 +32,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 - Added warning callback trigger when attempting to retrieve non-existent keys in `TJValueObject` using `try_get_string`, `get_*(..)`, or `get<>(..)` methods.
 
 ### Changed
-- Incremented version to 0.3.0.
+- Incremented version to 0.2.8.
 
 ## [0.2.4] - 2026-05-20
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 936f419..d116e9e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 [![CI](https://github.com/FFMG/TinyJSON/actions/workflows/c-cpp.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/FFMG/TinyJSON/actions/workflows/c-cpp.yml)
 [![License: MIT](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-yellow.svg)](LICENSE)
-[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-0.2.7-blue.svg)](src/TinyJSON.h)
+[![Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/version-0.2.8-blue.svg)](src/TinyJSON.h)
 
 A lightweight and lightning-fast C++ JSON & JSON5 parser designed for high performance and minimal footprint.
 
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ The version is set in the `TinyJSON.h` file.
 ```cpp
 static const short TJ_VERSION_MAJOR = 0;
 static const short TJ_VERSION_MINOR = 2;
-static const short TJ_VERSION_PATCH = 7;
-static const char TJ_VERSION_STRING[] = "0.2.7";
+static const short TJ_VERSION_PATCH = 8;
+static const char TJ_VERSION_STRING[] = "0.2.8";
 ```
 
 ### Simple Value Access
diff --git a/src/TinyJSON.cpp b/src/TinyJSON.cpp
index a9a00e1..45b32d5 100644
--- a/src/TinyJSON.cpp
+++ b/src/TinyJSON.cpp
@@ -4222,15 +4222,16 @@ namespace TinyJSON
       return nullptr;
     }
 
-    if (value_found == nullptr && parse_options.specification == parse_options::json5_1_0_0)
+    if (value_found == nullptr)
     {
-       // JSON5 requires a value
-       return nullptr;
+      parse_result.assign_exception_message(TJCHARPREFIX("The JSON text is empty or contains no value."));
+      parse_result.throw_if_exception();
+      return nullptr;
     }
 
     if (parse_options.specification == parse_options::rfc4627 && !parse_result.has_exception_message())
     {
-      if (value_found == nullptr || (!value_found->is_array() && !value_found->is_object()))
+      if (!value_found->is_array() && !value_found->is_object())
       {
         // error: RFC 4627: A JSON text must be either an object or an array.
         parse_result.assign_exception_message("RFC 4627: A JSON text must be either an object or an array.");
@@ -4243,13 +4244,8 @@ namespace TinyJSON
     }
 
     // return if we found anything.
-    // if we found nothing ... then it is not an error, just an empty string
     parse_result.throw_if_exception();
-    if (value_found == nullptr && parse_result.options().specification == parse_options::json5_1_0_0)
-    {
-       return nullptr;
-    }
-    return value_found != nullptr ? value_found : new TJValueString(TJCHARPREFIX(""));
+    return value_found;
   }
 
   /// <summary>
diff --git a/src/TinyJSON.h b/src/TinyJSON.h
index 1eb4ed4..3376abf 100644
--- a/src/TinyJSON.h
+++ b/src/TinyJSON.h
@@ -49,10 +49,11 @@
 // v0.2.5 - added raise warning when key is not found.
 // v0.2.6 - fixed a bug in the resizing of string buffers.
 // v0.2.7 - improved parse_file error reporting with specific system errors and file name.
+// v0.2.8 - conformed empty input parsing to RFC specifications (returns nullptr / throws instead of empty string).
 static const short TJ_VERSION_MAJOR = 0;
 static const short TJ_VERSION_MINOR = 2;
-static const short TJ_VERSION_PATCH = 7;
-static const char TJ_VERSION_STRING[] = "0.2.7";
+static const short TJ_VERSION_PATCH = 8;
+static const char TJ_VERSION_STRING[] = "0.2.8";
 
 #ifndef TJ_USE_CHAR
 #  define TJ_USE_CHAR 1
diff --git a/tests/testtinyjson.cpp b/tests/testtinyjson.cpp
index a8e02b2..8b9a756 100644
--- a/tests/testtinyjson.cpp
+++ b/tests/testtinyjson.cpp
@@ -352,16 +352,12 @@ TEST(TestBasic, NullInStringIsValid) {
   delete json;
 }
 
-TEST(TestBasic, NothingIsJustAnEmptyString) {
+TEST(TestBasic, EmptyStringReturnsNull) {
   auto json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("");
-  ASSERT_NE(nullptr, json);
-  ASSERT_TRUE(json->is_string());
-  ASSERT_STREQ("", json->dump_string());
-
-  delete json;
+  ASSERT_EQ(nullptr, json);
 }
 
-TEST(TestBasic, NothingIsJustAnEmptyStringWithSpaces) {
+TEST(TestBasic, WhitespaceOnlyStringReturnsNull) {
   auto json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"(   
 
 
@@ -369,12 +365,10 @@ TEST(TestBasic, NothingIsJustAnEmptyStringWithSpaces) {
 
 
 
-)");
-  ASSERT_NE(nullptr, json);
-  ASSERT_TRUE(json->is_string());
-  ASSERT_STREQ("", json->dump_string());
 
-  delete json;
+
+)");
+  ASSERT_EQ(nullptr, json);
 }
 
 TEST(TestBasic, StringValueIsValid) {
@@ -563,6 +557,14 @@ TEST(TestBasic, ArrayIsValid) {
   ASSERT_TRUE(TinyJSON::TJ::is_valid("[12,13,14]"));
 }
 
+TEST(TestBasic, EmptyStringIsNotValid) {
+  ASSERT_FALSE(TinyJSON::TJ::is_valid(""));
+}
+
+TEST(TestBasic, WhitespaceOnlyIsNotValid) {
+  ASSERT_FALSE(TinyJSON::TJ::is_valid("   \t\r\n   "));
+}
+
 TEST(TestBasic, UserLiteralsArray)
 {
   using namespace TinyJSON;
diff --git a/tests/testtinyjsonexceptions.cpp b/tests/testtinyjsonexceptions.cpp
index b6193bd..320151b 100644
--- a/tests/testtinyjsonexceptions.cpp
+++ b/tests/testtinyjsonexceptions.cpp
@@ -1,343 +1,457 @@
-// Licensed to Florent Guelfucci under one or more agreements.
-// Florent Guelfucci licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
-// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
-#include <gtest/gtest.h>
-#define TJ_USE_CHAR 1
-#include "../src/TinyJSON.h"
-
-TEST(TestException, IfWeHaveNoExceptionWeDoNotThrow) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
-  EXPECT_NO_THROW( json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12,13,14]", options));
-  delete json;
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, ParseExceptionMessageIsSetProperly) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
-  EXPECT_NO_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12,13,14]", options));
-  delete json;
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, SourceCannotBeNull) {
-  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex("Hello");
-  EXPECT_STREQ("Hello", ex.what());
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, OperatorCopyParseException) {
-  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex1("Hello");
-  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex2("World");
-  ex2 = ex1;
-  EXPECT_STREQ("Hello", ex2.what());
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, CopyConstructorParseException) {
-  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex1("Hello");
-  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex2(ex1);
-  EXPECT_STREQ("Hello", ex2.what());
-}
-
-
-TEST(TestException, EscapedTabCharacterInString) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Tab\tin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, EscapedReturnCharacterInString) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Return\rin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, EscapedLineFeedCharacterInString) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Line Feed\nin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, EscapedFormFeedCharacterInString) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Form Feed\fin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, EscapedBackSpaceCharacterInString) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"BackSpace\bin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, SingleEscapeCharacterInString) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Single Escape \\ \"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, TheStringIsNotClosed) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("\"Not Closedd", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, CommaAtTheEndOfObject) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{\"a\" : 12,}", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, CommaAtTheEndOfArray) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12,]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, UnExpectedCommaInObject) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{,}", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, UnExpectedCommaInArray) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[,]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, MissingCommaBetweenItemsInObject) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{\"a\" : 12 \"b\" : 12}", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, MissingCommaBetweenItemsInArray) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12 \"a\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, UnExpectedCharacterInObject) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{ % }", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, UnExpectedEndOfStringWhileParsingObject) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, UnExpectedEndOfStringWhileParsingArray) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, BadTrue) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[tru]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, BadFalse) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[fals]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, BadNull) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[nul]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, MissingColonInObject) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"({ "Missing colon" null })", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, InvalidNumberWithLeadingZero) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[0123]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, ExponentsWithZeroDoNotThrow) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
-  EXPECT_NO_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[1e00]", options));
-  delete json;
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, WeReachedMaxDepthOfObjects) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  options.max_depth = 4;
-  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
-  EXPECT_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"({"a":{"b":{"c":{}}}})", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-  delete json;
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, WeReachedMaxDepthOfArrays) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  options.max_depth = 4;
-  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
-  EXPECT_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12,[13,[14,[]]]]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-  delete json;
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, WeReachedMaxDepthMixed) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  options.max_depth = 4;
-  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
-  EXPECT_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"({"a":[12,{"c":{}}]})", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-  delete json;
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, Rfc4627WantsAnObjectOrAnArray) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  options.specification = TinyJSON::parse_options::rfc4627;
-  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
-  EXPECT_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("true", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-  delete json;
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, WeCannotHaveMoreThanOneItemInRoot) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{},[]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, UnexpectedTokenWhileLookingForValue) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"({"a" : Value)", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, ExponentDoesNotHaveANumber) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[0e]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, ExponentDoesNotHaveANumberButHasNegativeSign) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[0e-]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, ExponentDoesNotHaveANumberButHasPositiveSign) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[0e+]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, FractionIsMissingNumberBeforExponent) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("12.e2", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, FractionIsMissingNumber) {
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("12.", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, EscapedTabCharacterInStringWillLogAndThrow) {
-  bool called = false;
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = true;
-  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message) {
-    EXPECT_EQ(message_type, TinyJSON::parse_options::fatal);
-    EXPECT_TRUE(nullptr != exception_message);
-    called = true;
-    };
-  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Tab\tin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
-  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, EscapedTabCharacterInStringWillLogAndNotThrow) {
-  bool called = false;
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = false;
-  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message) {
-    EXPECT_EQ(message_type, TinyJSON::parse_options::fatal);
-    EXPECT_TRUE(nullptr != exception_message);
-    called = true;
-    };
-  EXPECT_NO_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Tab\tin string\"]", options));
-  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, GettingNonExistentKeyWillLogAndNotThrow) {
-  bool called = false;
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = false;
-  options.strict = true;
-  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message) {
-    EXPECT_EQ(message_type, TinyJSON::parse_options::fatal);
-    EXPECT_STREQ(exception_message, "The key 'b' was not found!");
-    called = true;
-    };
-  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{\"a\" : 12}", options);
-  ASSERT_TRUE(json != nullptr);
-  auto* object = static_cast<TinyJSON::TJValueObject*>(json);
-
-  // try and get a non existent key
-  const TJCHAR* value = nullptr;
-  EXPECT_NO_THROW(value = object->get_string("b", true));
-  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
-  EXPECT_STREQ(value, "");
-  delete json;
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, ParseFileNotFoundSmarterError)
-{
-  bool called = false;
-  std::string error_msg;
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = false;
-  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message)
-  {
-    if (message_type == TinyJSON::parse_options::error)
-    {
-      called = true;
-      error_msg = exception_message;
-    }
-  };
-  TinyJSON::TJ::parse_file("this_file_does_not_exist_xyz.json", options);
-  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
-  EXPECT_EQ("File 'this_file_does_not_exist_xyz.json' could not be found!", error_msg);
-}
-
-TEST(TestException, ParseDirectorySmarterError)
-{
-  bool called = false;
-  std::string error_msg;
-  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
-  options.throw_exception = false;
-  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message)
-  {
-    if (message_type == TinyJSON::parse_options::error)
-    {
-      called = true;
-      error_msg = exception_message;
-    }
-  };
-  TinyJSON::TJ::parse_file(".", options);
-  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
-  EXPECT_NE(error_msg.find("."), std::string::npos);
-  bool matched = (error_msg == "File '.' is a directory!" ||
-                  error_msg == "Access denied to file '.'!" ||
-                  error_msg == "File '.' could not be opened!");
-  EXPECT_TRUE(matched) << "Actual message: " << error_msg;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+// Licensed to Florent Guelfucci under one or more agreements.
+// Florent Guelfucci licenses this file to you under the MIT license.
+// See the LICENSE file in the project root for more information.
+#include <fstream>
+#include <gtest/gtest.h>
+#define TJ_USE_CHAR 1
+#include "../src/TinyJSON.h"
+
+TEST(TestException, IfWeHaveNoExceptionWeDoNotThrow) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
+  EXPECT_NO_THROW( json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12,13,14]", options));
+  delete json;
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, ParseExceptionMessageIsSetProperly) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
+  EXPECT_NO_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12,13,14]", options));
+  delete json;
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, SourceCannotBeNull) {
+  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex("Hello");
+  EXPECT_STREQ("Hello", ex.what());
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, OperatorCopyParseException) {
+  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex1("Hello");
+  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex2("World");
+  ex2 = ex1;
+  EXPECT_STREQ("Hello", ex2.what());
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, CopyConstructorParseException) {
+  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex1("Hello");
+  TinyJSON::TJParseException ex2(ex1);
+  EXPECT_STREQ("Hello", ex2.what());
+}
+
+
+TEST(TestException, EscapedTabCharacterInString) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Tab\tin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EscapedReturnCharacterInString) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Return\rin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EscapedLineFeedCharacterInString) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Line Feed\nin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EscapedFormFeedCharacterInString) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Form Feed\fin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EscapedBackSpaceCharacterInString) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"BackSpace\bin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, SingleEscapeCharacterInString) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Single Escape \\ \"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, TheStringIsNotClosed) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("\"Not Closedd", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, CommaAtTheEndOfObject) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{\"a\" : 12,}", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, CommaAtTheEndOfArray) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12,]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, UnExpectedCommaInObject) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{,}", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, UnExpectedCommaInArray) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[,]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, MissingCommaBetweenItemsInObject) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{\"a\" : 12 \"b\" : 12}", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, MissingCommaBetweenItemsInArray) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12 \"a\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, UnExpectedCharacterInObject) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{ % }", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, UnExpectedEndOfStringWhileParsingObject) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, UnExpectedEndOfStringWhileParsingArray) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, BadTrue) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[tru]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, BadFalse) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[fals]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, BadNull) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[nul]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, MissingColonInObject) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"({ "Missing colon" null })", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, InvalidNumberWithLeadingZero) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[0123]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, ExponentsWithZeroDoNotThrow) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
+  EXPECT_NO_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[1e00]", options));
+  delete json;
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, WeReachedMaxDepthOfObjects) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  options.max_depth = 4;
+  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
+  EXPECT_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"({"a":{"b":{"c":{}}}})", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+  delete json;
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, WeReachedMaxDepthOfArrays) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  options.max_depth = 4;
+  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
+  EXPECT_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[12,[13,[14,[]]]]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+  delete json;
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, WeReachedMaxDepthMixed) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  options.max_depth = 4;
+  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
+  EXPECT_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"({"a":[12,{"c":{}}]})", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+  delete json;
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, Rfc4627WantsAnObjectOrAnArray) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  options.specification = TinyJSON::parse_options::rfc4627;
+  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = nullptr;
+  EXPECT_THROW(json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("true", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+  delete json;
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, WeCannotHaveMoreThanOneItemInRoot) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{},[]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, UnexpectedTokenWhileLookingForValue) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse(R"({"a" : Value)", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, ExponentDoesNotHaveANumber) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[0e]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, ExponentDoesNotHaveANumberButHasNegativeSign) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[0e-]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, ExponentDoesNotHaveANumberButHasPositiveSign) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[0e+]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, FractionIsMissingNumberBeforExponent) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("12.e2", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, FractionIsMissingNumber) {
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("12.", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EscapedTabCharacterInStringWillLogAndThrow) {
+  bool called = false;
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(message_type, TinyJSON::parse_options::fatal);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(nullptr != exception_message);
+    called = true;
+    };
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Tab\tin string\"]", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EscapedTabCharacterInStringWillLogAndNotThrow) {
+  bool called = false;
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = false;
+  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(message_type, TinyJSON::parse_options::fatal);
+    EXPECT_TRUE(nullptr != exception_message);
+    called = true;
+    };
+  EXPECT_NO_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("[\"Tab\tin string\"]", options));
+  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, GettingNonExistentKeyWillLogAndNotThrow) {
+  bool called = false;
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = false;
+  options.strict = true;
+  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(message_type, TinyJSON::parse_options::fatal);
+    EXPECT_STREQ(exception_message, "The key 'b' was not found!");
+    called = true;
+    };
+  TinyJSON::TJValue* json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("{\"a\" : 12}", options);
+  ASSERT_TRUE(json != nullptr);
+  auto* object = static_cast<TinyJSON::TJValueObject*>(json);
+
+  // try and get a non existent key
+  const TJCHAR* value = nullptr;
+  EXPECT_NO_THROW(value = object->get_string("b", true));
+  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
+  EXPECT_STREQ(value, "");
+  delete json;
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, ParseFileNotFoundSmarterError)
+{
+  bool called = false;
+  std::string error_msg;
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = false;
+  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message)
+  {
+    if (message_type == TinyJSON::parse_options::error)
+    {
+      called = true;
+      error_msg = exception_message;
+    }
+  };
+  TinyJSON::TJ::parse_file("this_file_does_not_exist_xyz.json", options);
+  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
+  EXPECT_EQ("File 'this_file_does_not_exist_xyz.json' could not be found!", error_msg);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, ParseDirectorySmarterError)
+{
+  bool called = false;
+  std::string error_msg;
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = false;
+  options.callback_function = [&](TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message)
+  {
+    if (message_type == TinyJSON::parse_options::error)
+    {
+      called = true;
+      error_msg = exception_message;
+    }
+  };
+  TinyJSON::TJ::parse_file(".", options);
+  EXPECT_TRUE(called);
+  EXPECT_NE(error_msg.find("."), std::string::npos);
+  bool matched = (error_msg == "File '.' is a directory!" ||
+                  error_msg == "Access denied to file '.'!" ||
+                  error_msg == "File '.' could not be opened!");
+  EXPECT_TRUE(matched) << "Actual message: " << error_msg;
+}
+
+namespace
+{
+  struct empty_string_callback_tracker
+  {
+    bool called = false;
+    std::string error_msg;
+
+    void operator()(TinyJSON::parse_options::message_type message_type, const TJCHAR* exception_message)
+    {
+      if (message_type == TinyJSON::parse_options::fatal || message_type == TinyJSON::parse_options::error)
+      {
+        called = true;
+        if (nullptr != exception_message)
+        {
+          error_msg = exception_message;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  };
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EmptyStringThrowsException)
+{
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, WhitespaceOnlyStringThrowsException)
+{
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("   \t\r\n   ", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EmptyStringThrowsAcrossAllSpecifications)
+{
+  const enum TinyJSON::parse_options::specification specs[] = {
+    TinyJSON::parse_options::rfc4627,
+    TinyJSON::parse_options::rfc7159,
+    TinyJSON::parse_options::rfc8259,
+    TinyJSON::parse_options::json5_1_0_0
+  };
+
+  for (const auto spec : specs)
+  {
+    TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+    options.throw_exception = true;
+    options.specification = spec;
+    EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse("", options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+  }
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EmptyStringReturnsNullAcrossAllSpecifications)
+{
+  const enum TinyJSON::parse_options::specification specs[] = {
+    TinyJSON::parse_options::rfc4627,
+    TinyJSON::parse_options::rfc7159,
+    TinyJSON::parse_options::rfc8259,
+    TinyJSON::parse_options::json5_1_0_0
+  };
+
+  for (const auto spec : specs)
+  {
+    TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+    options.throw_exception = false;
+    options.specification = spec;
+    auto* json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("", options);
+    EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, json);
+  }
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EmptyStringCallbackMessage)
+{
+  empty_string_callback_tracker tracker;
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = false;
+  options.callback_function = std::ref(tracker);
+  auto* json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse("", options);
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, json);
+  EXPECT_TRUE(tracker.called);
+  EXPECT_EQ("The JSON text is empty or contains no value.", tracker.error_msg);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EmptyFileThrowsException)
+{
+  const char* empty_filename = "test_empty_file_throws.json";
+  {
+    std::ofstream empty_file(empty_filename);
+  }
+
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = true;
+  EXPECT_THROW(TinyJSON::TJ::parse_file(empty_filename, options), TinyJSON::TJParseException);
+
+  std::remove(empty_filename);
+}
+
+TEST(TestException, EmptyFileReturnsNullWithoutException)
+{
+  const char* empty_filename = "test_empty_file_null.json";
+  {
+    std::ofstream empty_file(empty_filename);
+  }
+
+  TinyJSON::parse_options options = {};
+  options.throw_exception = false;
+  auto* json = TinyJSON::TJ::parse_file(empty_filename, options);
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, json);
+
+  std::remove(empty_filename);
+}

diff --git a/tests/testtinyjsonversion.cpp b/tests/testtinyjsonversion.cpp
index 1c85f6a..ea2abee 100644
--- a/tests/testtinyjsonversion.cpp
+++ b/tests/testtinyjsonversion.cpp
@@ -17,10 +17,10 @@ TEST(TestVersion, CheckVersionMinor)
 
 TEST(TestVersion, CheckVersionPatch)
 {
-  ASSERT_EQ(7, TJ_VERSION_PATCH);
+  ASSERT_EQ(8, TJ_VERSION_PATCH);
 }
 
 TEST(TestVersion, CheckVersionString)
 {
-  ASSERT_STREQ("0.2.7", TJ_VERSION_STRING);
+  ASSERT_STREQ("0.2.8", TJ_VERSION_STRING);
 }