building out tests for extraction functions.

Same functions will power every other model. Found some opprotunities to add control over circular references, when and how to fire errors and what not. All in all, some robust code additions will improve the library significantly.

datamodel/low/3.0/path.go

@@ -59,9 +59,14 @@ func (p *Paths) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	eChan := make(chan error)
 	var buildPathItem = func(cNode, pNode *yaml.Node, b chan<- pathBuildResult, e chan<- error) {
 		if ok, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(pNode); ok {
-			r := low.LocateRefNode(pNode, idx)
+			r, err := low.LocateRefNode(pNode, idx)
 			if r != nil {
 				pNode = r
+				if err != nil {
+					if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+						e <- fmt.Errorf("path item build failed: %s", err.Error())
+					}
+				}
 			} else {
 				e <- fmt.Errorf("path item build failed: cannot find reference: %s at line %d, col %d",
 					pNode.Content[1].Value, pNode.Content[1].Line, pNode.Content[1].Column)

datamodel/low/3.0/path_item.go

@@ -124,9 +124,14 @@ func (p *PathItem) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 		wg.Add(1)
 
 		if ok, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(pathNode); ok {
-			r := low.LocateRefNode(pathNode, idx)
+			r, err := low.LocateRefNode(pathNode, idx)
 			if r != nil {
 				pathNode = r
+				if err != nil {
+					if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+						return fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", err.Error())
+					}
+				}
 			} else {
 				return fmt.Errorf("path item build failed: cannot find reference: %s at line %d, col %d",
 					pathNode.Content[1].Value, pathNode.Content[1].Line, pathNode.Content[1].Column)
@@ -172,9 +177,14 @@ func (p *PathItem) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 
 		//build out the operation.
 		if ok, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(op.ValueNode); ok {
-			r := low.LocateRefNode(op.ValueNode, idx)
+			r, err := low.LocateRefNode(op.ValueNode, idx)
 			if r != nil {
 				op.ValueNode = r
+				if err != nil {
+					if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+						errCh <- fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", err.Error())
+					}
+				}
 			} else {
 				// any reference would be the second node.
 				errCh <- fmt.Errorf("cannot extract reference: %s", op.ValueNode.Content[1].Value)

datamodel/low/3.0/schema.go

@@ -66,9 +66,14 @@ func (s *Schema) FindProperty(name string) *low.ValueReference[*SchemaProxy] {
 
 func (s *Schema) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 	if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); h {
-		ref := low.LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		ref, err := low.LocateRefNode(root, idx)
 		if ref != nil {
 			root = ref
+			if err != nil {
+				if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+					return fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", err.Error())
+				}
+			}
 		} else {
 			return fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: reference cannot be found: '%s', line %d, col %d",
 				root.Content[1].Value, root.Content[1].Line, root.Content[1].Column)
@@ -156,9 +161,14 @@ func (s *Schema) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
 
 			// check our prop isn't reference
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(prop); h {
-				ref := low.LocateRefNode(prop, idx)
+				ref, err := low.LocateRefNode(prop, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					prop = ref
+					if err != nil {
+						if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+							return fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", err.Error())
+						}
+					}
 				} else {
 					return fmt.Errorf("schema properties build failed: cannot find reference %s, line %d, col %d",
 						prop.Content[1].Value, prop.Content[1].Column, prop.Content[1].Line)
@@ -291,11 +301,6 @@ func countSubSchemaItems(node *yaml.Node) int {
 	return 0
 }
 
-type schemaBuildResult struct {
-	k low.KeyReference[string]
-	v low.ValueReference[*Schema]
-}
-
 type schemaProxyBuildResult struct {
 	k low.KeyReference[string]
 	v low.ValueReference[*SchemaProxy]
@@ -314,9 +319,14 @@ func buildSchema(schemas chan schemaProxyBuildResult, labelNode, valueNode *yaml
 		// build out a SchemaProxy for every sub-schema.
 		build := func(kn *yaml.Node, vn *yaml.Node, c chan *low.ValueReference[*SchemaProxy], e chan error) {
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(vn); h {
-				ref := low.LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
+				ref, cerr := low.LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					vn = ref
+					if cerr != nil {
+						if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+							e <- fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", cerr.Error())
+						}
+					}
 				} else {
 					err := fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: reference cannot be found: %s, line %d, col %d",
 						vn.Content[1].Value, vn.Content[1].Line, vn.Content[1].Column)
@@ -344,9 +354,14 @@ func buildSchema(schemas chan schemaProxyBuildResult, labelNode, valueNode *yaml
 
 		if utils.IsNodeMap(valueNode) {
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(valueNode); h {
-				ref := low.LocateRefNode(valueNode, idx)
+				ref, err := low.LocateRefNode(valueNode, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					valueNode = ref
+					if err != nil {
+						if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+							errors <- fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", err.Error())
+						}
+					}
 				} else {
 					errors <- fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: reference cannot be found: %s, line %d, col %d",
 						valueNode.Content[1].Value, valueNode.Content[1].Line, valueNode.Content[1].Column)
@@ -375,9 +390,14 @@ func buildSchema(schemas chan schemaProxyBuildResult, labelNode, valueNode *yaml
 			refBuilds := 0
 			for _, vn := range valueNode.Content {
 				if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(vn); h {
-					ref := low.LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
+					ref, err := low.LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
 					if ref != nil {
 						vn = ref
+						if err != nil {
+							if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+								errors <- fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", err.Error())
+							}
+						}
 					} else {
 						err := fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: reference cannot be found: %s, line %d, col %d",
 							vn.Content[1].Value, vn.Content[1].Line, vn.Content[1].Column)
@@ -412,10 +432,15 @@ func ExtractSchema(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (*low.NodeReference[*S
 	errStr := "schema build failed: reference '%s' cannot be found at line %d, col %d"
 	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
 		// locate reference in index.
-		ref := low.LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		ref, err := low.LocateRefNode(root, idx)
 		if ref != nil {
 			schNode = ref
 			schLabel = rl
+			if err != nil {
+				if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+					return nil, fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", err.Error())
+				}
+			}
 		} else {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf(errStr,
 				root.Content[1].Value, root.Content[1].Line, root.Content[1].Column)
@@ -424,9 +449,14 @@ func ExtractSchema(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (*low.NodeReference[*S
 		_, schLabel, schNode = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(SchemaLabel, root.Content)
 		if schNode != nil {
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(schNode); h {
-				ref := low.LocateRefNode(schNode, idx)
+				ref, err := low.LocateRefNode(schNode, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					schNode = ref
+					if err != nil {
+						if !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+							return nil, fmt.Errorf("build schema failed: %s", err.Error())
+						}
+					}
 				} else {
 					return nil, fmt.Errorf(errStr,
 						schNode.Content[1].Value, schNode.Content[1].Line, schNode.Content[1].Column)

datamodel/low/3.0/schema_test.go

@@ -740,8 +740,8 @@ allOf:
 	err := low.BuildModel(&idxNode, &sch)
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
-	_ = sch.Build(idxNode.Content[0], idx)
+	err = sch.Build(idxNode.Content[0], idx)
-	assert.Nil(t, sch.AllOf.Value[0].Value.Schema())
+	assert.Error(t, err)
 
 }
 
@@ -916,12 +916,8 @@ func TestExtractSchema_RefRoot_Child_Fail(t *testing.T) {
 	var idxNode yaml.Node
 	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
 
-	s, _ := ExtractSchema(idxNode.Content[0], idx)
+	_, err := ExtractSchema(idxNode.Content[0], idx)
-
+	assert.Error(t, err)
-	b := s.Value.Schema()
-	assert.Nil(t, b)
-	assert.Error(t, s.Value.GetBuildError())
-
 }
 
 func TestExtractSchema_DoNothing(t *testing.T) {

datamodel/low/extraction_functions.go

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/utils"
 	"github.com/vmware-labs/yaml-jsonpath/pkg/yamlpath"
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ func FindItemInMap[T any](item string, collection map[KeyReference[string]]Value
 	return nil
 }
 
-func LocateRefNode(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) *yaml.Node {
+func LocateRefNode(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (*yaml.Node, error) {
 	if rf, _, rv := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
 		// run through everything and return as soon as we find a match.
 		// this operates as fast as possible as ever
@@ -69,7 +70,30 @@ func LocateRefNode(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) *yaml.Node {
 		for _, collection := range collections {
 			found = collection()
 			if found != nil && found[rv] != nil {
-				return found[rv].Node
+
+				// if this is a ref node, we need to keep diving
+				// until we hit something that isn't a ref.
+				if jh, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(found[rv].Node); jh {
+
+					// if this node is circular, stop drop and roll.
+					if !IsCircular(found[rv].Node, idx) {
+						return LocateRefNode(found[rv].Node, idx)
+					} else {
+						Log.Error("circular reference found during lookup, and will remain un-resolved.",
+							zap.Int("line", found[rv].Node.Line),
+							zap.Int("column", found[rv].Node.Column),
+							zap.String("reference", found[rv].Definition),
+							zap.String("journey",
+								GetCircularReferenceResult(found[rv].Node, idx).GenerateJourneyPath()))
+
+						return found[rv].Node, fmt.Errorf("circular reference '%s' found during lookup at line %d, column %d, "+
+							"It cannot be resolved",
+							GetCircularReferenceResult(found[rv].Node, idx).GenerateJourneyPath(),
+							found[rv].Node.Line,
+							found[rv].Node.Column)
+					}
+				}
+				return found[rv].Node, nil
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -83,23 +107,28 @@ func LocateRefNode(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) *yaml.Node {
 			nodes, fErr := path.Find(idx.GetRootNode())
 			if fErr == nil {
 				if len(nodes) > 0 {
-					return nodes[0]
+					return nodes[0], nil
 				}
 			}
 		}
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("reference '%s' at line %d, column %d was not found", root.Value, root.Line, root.Column)
 	}
-	return nil
+	return nil, nil
 }
 
 func ExtractObjectRaw[T Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (T, error) {
-
+	var circError error
 	if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); h {
-		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		ref, err := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
 		if ref != nil {
 			root = ref
+			if err != nil {
+				circError = err
+			}
 		} else {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("object extraction failed: reference cannot be found: %s, line %d, col %d",
+			if err != nil {
-				root.Content[1].Value, root.Content[1].Line, root.Content[1].Column)
+				return nil, fmt.Errorf("object extraciton failed: %s", err.Error())
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	var n T = new(N)
@@ -111,31 +140,42 @@ func ExtractObjectRaw[T Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecInd
 	if err != nil {
 		return n, err
 	}
+	if circError != nil && !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+		return n, circError
+	}
 	return n, nil
 }
 
 func ExtractObject[T Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (NodeReference[T], error) {
 	var ln, vn *yaml.Node
+	var circError error
 	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
-		// locate reference in index.
+		ref, err := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
-		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
 		if ref != nil {
 			vn = ref
 			ln = rl
+			if err != nil {
+				circError = err
+			}
 		} else {
-			return NodeReference[T]{}, fmt.Errorf("object build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+			if err != nil {
-				root.Content[1].Value)
+				return NodeReference[T]{}, fmt.Errorf("object extraciton failed: %s", err.Error())
+			}
 		}
 	} else {
 		_, ln, vn = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
 		if vn != nil {
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(vn); h {
-				ref := LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
+				ref, lerr := LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					vn = ref
+					if lerr != nil {
+						circError = lerr
+					}
 				} else {
-					return NodeReference[T]{}, fmt.Errorf("object build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+					if lerr != nil {
-						vn.Content[1].Value)
+						return NodeReference[T]{}, fmt.Errorf("object extraciton failed: %s", lerr.Error())
+					}
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -152,22 +192,29 @@ func ExtractObject[T Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *in
 	if err != nil {
 		return NodeReference[T]{}, err
 	}
-	return NodeReference[T]{
+	res := NodeReference[T]{
 		Value:     n,
 		KeyNode:   ln,
 		ValueNode: vn,
-	}, nil
+	}
+	if circError != nil && !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+		return res, err
+	}
+	return res, nil
 }
 
 func ExtractArray[T Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) ([]ValueReference[T],
 	*yaml.Node, *yaml.Node, error) {
 	var ln, vn *yaml.Node
+	var circError error
 	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
-		// locate reference in index.
+		ref, err := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
-		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
 		if ref != nil {
 			vn = ref
 			ln = rl
+			if err != nil {
+				circError = err
+			}
 		} else {
 			return []ValueReference[T]{}, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("array build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
 				root.Content[1].Value)
@@ -176,12 +223,17 @@ func ExtractArray[T Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *ind
 		_, ln, vn = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
 		if vn != nil {
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(vn); h {
-				ref := LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
+				ref, err := LocateRefNode(vn, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					vn = ref
+					if err != nil {
+						circError = err
+					}
 				} else {
-					return []ValueReference[T]{}, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("array build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+					if err != nil {
-						root.Content[1].Value)
+						return []ValueReference[T]{}, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("array build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+							err.Error())
+					}
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -193,12 +245,17 @@ func ExtractArray[T Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *ind
 		}
 		for _, node := range vn.Content {
 			if rf, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(node); rf {
-				ref := LocateRefNode(node, idx)
+				ref, err := LocateRefNode(node, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					node = ref
+					if err != nil {
+						circError = err
+					}
 				} else {
-					return []ValueReference[T]{}, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("array build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+					if err != nil {
-						root.Content[1].Value)
+						return []ValueReference[T]{}, nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("array build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+							err.Error())
+					}
 				}
 			}
 			var n T = new(N)
@@ -216,6 +273,9 @@ func ExtractArray[T Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *ind
 			})
 		}
 	}
+	if circError != nil && !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+		return items, ln, vn, circError
+	}
 	return items, ln, vn, nil
 }
 
@@ -236,6 +296,7 @@ func ExtractExample(expNode, expLabel *yaml.Node) NodeReference[any] {
 
 func ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[PT Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (map[KeyReference[string]]ValueReference[PT], error) {
 	valueMap := make(map[KeyReference[string]]ValueReference[PT])
+	var circError error
 	if utils.IsNodeMap(root) {
 		var currentKey *yaml.Node
 		skip := false
@@ -254,11 +315,16 @@ func ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[PT Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node, idx *index.
 			}
 			// if value is a reference, we have to look it up in the index!
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(node); h {
-				ref := LocateRefNode(node, idx)
+				ref, err := LocateRefNode(node, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					node = ref
+					if err != nil {
+						circError = err
+					}
 				} else {
-					return nil, fmt.Errorf("map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s", root.Content[1].Value)
+					if err != nil {
+						return nil, fmt.Errorf("map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s", err.Error())
+					}
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -280,6 +346,9 @@ func ExtractMapFlatNoLookup[PT Buildable[N], N any](root *yaml.Node, idx *index.
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	if circError != nil && !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+		return valueMap, circError
+	}
 	return valueMap, nil
 }
 
@@ -290,12 +359,16 @@ type mappingResult[T any] struct {
 
 func ExtractMapFlat[PT Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (map[KeyReference[string]]ValueReference[PT], *yaml.Node, *yaml.Node, error) {
 	var labelNode, valueNode *yaml.Node
+	var circError error
 	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
 		// locate reference in index.
-		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
+		ref, err := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
 		if ref != nil {
 			valueNode = ref
 			labelNode = rl
+			if err != nil {
+				circError = err
+			}
 		} else {
 			return nil, labelNode, valueNode, fmt.Errorf("map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
 				root.Content[1].Value)
@@ -304,12 +377,17 @@ func ExtractMapFlat[PT Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *
 		_, labelNode, valueNode = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
 		if valueNode != nil {
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(valueNode); h {
-				ref := LocateRefNode(valueNode, idx)
+				ref, err := LocateRefNode(valueNode, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					valueNode = ref
+					if err != nil {
+						circError = err
+					}
 				} else {
-					return nil, labelNode, valueNode, fmt.Errorf("map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+					if err != nil {
-						root.Content[1].Value)
+						return nil, labelNode, valueNode, fmt.Errorf("map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+							err.Error())
+					}
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -349,12 +427,17 @@ func ExtractMapFlat[PT Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *
 			}
 			// check our valueNode isn't a reference still.
 			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(en); h {
-				ref := LocateRefNode(en, idx)
+				ref, err := LocateRefNode(en, idx)
 				if ref != nil {
 					en = ref
+					if err != nil {
+						circError = err
+					}
 				} else {
-					return nil, labelNode, valueNode, fmt.Errorf("flat map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+					if err != nil {
-						root.Content[1].Value)
+						return nil, labelNode, valueNode, fmt.Errorf("flat map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
+							err.Error())
+					}
 				}
 			}
 
@@ -377,85 +460,12 @@ func ExtractMapFlat[PT Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *
 		}
 		return valueMap, labelNode, valueNode, nil
 	}
+	if circError != nil && !idx.AllowCircularReferenceResolving() {
+		return nil, labelNode, valueNode, circError
+	}
 	return nil, labelNode, valueNode, nil
 }
 
-func ExtractMap[PT Buildable[N], N any](label string, root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) (map[KeyReference[string]]map[KeyReference[string]]ValueReference[PT], error) {
-	var labelNode, valueNode *yaml.Node
-	if rf, rl, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(root); rf {
-		// locate reference in index.
-		ref := LocateRefNode(root, idx)
-		if ref != nil {
-			valueNode = ref
-			labelNode = rl
-		} else {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s", root.Content[1].Value)
-		}
-	} else {
-		_, labelNode, valueNode = utils.FindKeyNodeFull(label, root.Content)
-		if valueNode != nil {
-			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(valueNode); h {
-				ref := LocateRefNode(valueNode, idx)
-				if ref != nil {
-					valueNode = ref
-				} else {
-					return nil, fmt.Errorf("map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
-						root.Content[1].Value)
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	if valueNode != nil {
-		var currentLabelNode *yaml.Node
-		valueMap := make(map[KeyReference[string]]ValueReference[PT])
-		for i, en := range valueNode.Content {
-			if i%2 == 0 {
-				currentLabelNode = en
-				continue
-			}
-			if strings.HasPrefix(strings.ToLower(currentLabelNode.Value), "x-") {
-				continue // yo, don't pay any attention to extensions, not here anyway.
-			}
-
-			// check our valueNode isn't a reference still.
-			if h, _, _ := utils.IsNodeRefValue(en); h {
-				ref := LocateRefNode(en, idx)
-				if ref != nil {
-					en = ref
-				} else {
-					return nil, fmt.Errorf("map build failed: reference cannot be found: %s",
-						root.Content[1].Value)
-				}
-			}
-
-			var n PT = new(N)
-			err := BuildModel(en, n)
-			if err != nil {
-				return nil, err
-			}
-			berr := n.Build(en, idx)
-			if berr != nil {
-				return nil, berr
-			}
-			valueMap[KeyReference[string]{
-				Value:   currentLabelNode.Value,
-				KeyNode: currentLabelNode,
-			}] = ValueReference[PT]{
-				Value:     n,
-				ValueNode: en,
-			}
-		}
-		resMap := make(map[KeyReference[string]]map[KeyReference[string]]ValueReference[PT])
-		resMap[KeyReference[string]{
-			Value:   labelNode.Value,
-			KeyNode: labelNode,
-		}] = valueMap
-		return resMap, nil
-	}
-	return nil, nil
-}
-
 func ExtractExtensions(root *yaml.Node) map[KeyReference[string]]ValueReference[any] {
 	extensions := utils.FindExtensionNodes(root.Content)
 	extensionMap := make(map[KeyReference[string]]ValueReference[any])

datamodel/low/extraction_functions_test.go

@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
 package low
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
 	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/index"
+	"github.com/pb33f/libopenapi/resolver"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 	"testing"
@@ -47,7 +49,7 @@ func TestLocateRefNode(t *testing.T) {
 	var cNode yaml.Node
 	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
 
-	located := LocateRefNode(cNode.Content[0], idx)
+	located, _ := LocateRefNode(cNode.Content[0], idx)
 	assert.NotNil(t, located)
 
 }
@@ -68,7 +70,316 @@ func TestLocateRefNode_Path(t *testing.T) {
 	var cNode yaml.Node
 	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
 
-	located := LocateRefNode(cNode.Content[0], idx)
+	located, _ := LocateRefNode(cNode.Content[0], idx)
 	assert.NotNil(t, located)
 
 }
+
+func TestLocateRefNode_Path_NotFound(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `paths:
+  /burger/time:
+    description: hello`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	yml = `$ref: '#/paths/~1burger~1time-somethingsomethingdarkside-somethingsomethingcomplete'`
+
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	located, err := LocateRefNode(cNode.Content[0], idx)
+	assert.Nil(t, located)
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+
+}
+
+type pizza struct {
+	Description NodeReference[string]
+}
+
+func (p *pizza) Build(n *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+    pizza:
+      description: hello`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	yml = `tags:
+  description: hello pizza`
+
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	tag, err := ExtractObject[*pizza]("tags", &cNode, idx)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NotNil(t, tag)
+	assert.Equal(t, "hello pizza", tag.Value.Description.Value)
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_Ref(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+    pizza:
+      description: hello pizza`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	yml = `tags:
+  $ref: '#/components/schemas/pizza'`
+
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	tag, err := ExtractObject[*pizza]("tags", &cNode, idx)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NotNil(t, tag)
+	assert.Equal(t, "hello pizza", tag.Value.Description.Value)
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_DoubleRef(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+    cake:
+      description: cake time!
+    pizza:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	yml = `tags:
+  $ref: '#/components/schemas/pizza'`
+
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	tag, err := ExtractObject[*pizza]("tags", &cNode, idx)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NotNil(t, tag)
+	assert.Equal(t, "cake time!", tag.Value.Description.Value)
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_DoubleRef_Circular(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+    loopy:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'
+    cake:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/loopy'
+    pizza:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	// circular references are detected by the resolver, so lets run it!
+	resolv := resolver.NewResolver(idx)
+	assert.Len(t, resolv.CheckForCircularReferences(), 1)
+
+	yml = `tags:
+  $ref: '#/components/schemas/pizza'`
+
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	tag, err := ExtractObject[*pizza]("tags", &cNode, idx)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NotNil(t, tag)
+	assert.Equal(t, "", tag.Value.Description.Value)
+	assert.Equal(t, "cake -> loopy -> cake", idx.GetCircularReferences()[0].GenerateJourneyPath())
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_DoubleRef_Circular_Fail(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+    loopy:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'
+    cake:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/loopy'
+    pizza:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	// circular references are detected by the resolver, so lets run it!
+	resolv := resolver.NewResolver(idx)
+	assert.Len(t, resolv.CheckForCircularReferences(), 1)
+
+	yml = `tags:
+  $ref: #BORK`
+
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	_, err := ExtractObject[*pizza]("tags", &cNode, idx)
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_DoubleRef_Circular_Direct(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+    loopy:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'
+    cake:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/loopy'
+    pizza:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	// circular references are detected by the resolver, so lets run it!
+	resolv := resolver.NewResolver(idx)
+	assert.Len(t, resolv.CheckForCircularReferences(), 1)
+
+	yml = `$ref: '#/components/schemas/pizza'`
+
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	tag, err := ExtractObject[*pizza]("tags", cNode.Content[0], idx)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	assert.NotNil(t, tag)
+	assert.Equal(t, "", tag.Value.Description.Value)
+	assert.Equal(t, "cake -> loopy -> cake", idx.GetCircularReferences()[0].GenerateJourneyPath())
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_DoubleRef_Circular_Direct_Fail(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+    loopy:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'
+    cake:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/loopy'
+    pizza:
+      $ref: '#/components/schemas/cake'`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	// circular references are detected by the resolver, so lets run it!
+	resolv := resolver.NewResolver(idx)
+	assert.Len(t, resolv.CheckForCircularReferences(), 1)
+
+	yml = `$ref: '#/components/schemas/why-did-westworld-have-to-end-so-poorly-ffs'`
+
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	_, err := ExtractObject[*pizza]("tags", cNode.Content[0], idx)
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+
+}
+
+type test_noGood struct {
+	DontWork int
+}
+
+func (t *test_noGood) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("I am always going to fail")
+}
+
+type test_almostGood struct {
+	AlmostWork NodeReference[int]
+}
+
+func (t *test_almostGood) Build(root *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) error {
+	return fmt.Errorf("I am always going to fail")
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_BadLowLevelModel(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+   hey:`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	yml = `thing:
+  dontWork: 123`
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	_, err := ExtractObject[*test_noGood]("thing", &cNode, idx)
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_BadBuild(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+   hey:`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	yml = `thing:
+  dontWork: 123`
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	_, err := ExtractObject[*test_almostGood]("thing", &cNode, idx)
+	assert.Error(t, err)
+
+}
+
+func TestExtractObject_BadLabel(t *testing.T) {
+
+	yml := `components:
+  schemas:
+   hey:`
+
+	var idxNode yaml.Node
+	mErr := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &idxNode)
+	assert.NoError(t, mErr)
+	idx := index.NewSpecIndex(&idxNode)
+
+	yml = `thing:
+  dontWork: 123`
+	var cNode yaml.Node
+	_ = yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(yml), &cNode)
+
+	res, err := ExtractObject[*test_almostGood]("ding", &cNode, idx)
+	assert.Nil(t, res.Value)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+}

datamodel/low/reference.go

@@ -67,3 +67,16 @@ func IsCircular(node *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) bool {
 	}
 	return false
 }
+
+func GetCircularReferenceResult(node *yaml.Node, idx *index.SpecIndex) *index.CircularReferenceResult {
+	if idx == nil {
+		return nil // no index! nothing we can do.
+	}
+	refs := idx.GetCircularReferences()
+	for i := range idx.GetCircularReferences() {
+		if refs[i].LoopPoint.Node == node {
+			return refs[i]
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}

index/spec_index.go

@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ type SpecIndex struct {
 	seenRemoteSources                   map[string]*yaml.Node
 	remoteLock                          sync.Mutex
 	circularReferences                  []*CircularReferenceResult // only available when the resolver has been used.
+	allowCircularReferences             bool                       // decide if you want to error out, or allow circular references, default is false.
 }
 
 // ExternalLookupFunction is for lookup functions that take a JSONSchema reference and tries to find that node in the
@@ -503,6 +504,17 @@ func (index *SpecIndex) GetAllExternalIndexes() map[string]*SpecIndex {
 	return index.externalSpecIndex
 }
 
+// SetAllowCircularReferenceResolving will flip a bit that can be used by any consumers to determine if they want
+// to allow or disallow circular references to be resolved or visited
+func (index *SpecIndex) SetAllowCircularReferenceResolving(allow bool) {
+	index.allowCircularReferences = allow
+}
+
+// AllowCircularReferenceResolving will return a bit that allows developers to determine what to do with circular refs.
+func (index *SpecIndex) AllowCircularReferenceResolving() bool {
+	return index.allowCircularReferences
+}
+
 func (index *SpecIndex) checkPolymorphicNode(name string) (bool, string) {
 	switch name {
 	case "anyOf":