refactor(api): migrate JSON instances to Exp.IsEra constraints with comprehensive golden tests

[newhoggy]

Changelog

- description: |
    Migrates JSON serialization instances from legacy IsShelleyBasedEra/IsCardanoEra
    constraints to the new Exp.IsEra constraint system, modernizing the codebase
    while maintaining backwards compatibility. Includes comprehensive golden tests
    to ensure JSON format preservation.
  type:
  - refactoring    # QoL changes
  - test           # fixes/modifies tests
  projects:
  - cardano-api

Context

This PR completes the migration of JSON instances to the experimental era infrastructure (Exp.IsEra), removing the dependency on legacy constraint systems. The refactoring eliminates significant code duplication while preserving the exact JSON serialization format, which is critical for backwards compatibility with existing tools and integrations.

The changes are part of upgrading the instance implementations to use the more maintainable and unified era conversion system, making the codebase easier to extend for future eras.

How to trust this PR

The PR includes comprehensive golden tests that verify JSON serialization remains unchanged:

Run the golden tests to verify backwards compatibility:

# Run the new golden test suite
cabal test cardano-api-golden --test-options="-p TxOut"

# Verify all existing tests still pass
cabal test cardano-api-test

Key verification points:

• All golden test files in cardano-api/test/cardano-api-golden/files/TxOut/ demonstrate identical JSON output
• The refactored code produces the same JSON format as before
• No breaking changes to public API - only internal implementation changes

Checklist

• Commit sequence broadly makes sense and commits have useful messages
• New tests are added if needed and existing tests are updated. See Running tests for more details
• Self-reviewed the diff

Changes Made

Refactoring (Commit: 12c860a)

Core API Migrations:

• Migrated AddressInEra JSON instances from IsCardanoEra/IsShelleyBasedEra to Exp.IsEra
• Updated ReferenceScript serialization to use new constraints with simplified era handling
• Refactored TxOut (both CtxTx and CtxUTxO) JSON parsing to use Exp.convert for era witnesses
• Simplified TxOutValue JSON handling with unified era conversion
• Consolidated duplicate parsing logic for Babbage/Conway/Dijkstra eras into single implementations

Code Quality Improvements:

• Eliminated ~700 lines of duplicated era-specific case matching
• Replaced verbose pattern matching with generic convert function calls
• Unified error handling across different era contexts
• Improved maintainability by centralizing era conversion logic

Testing (Commit: f710b2b)

Golden Test Infrastructure:

• Added comprehensive golden test suite for TxOut serialization across Conway era
• Created test helpers for constructing consistent test data (addresses, values, datums, scripts)
• Implemented tests for various TxOut configurations:
  • Simple outputs (address + lovelace only)
  • Outputs with datum hashes
  • Outputs with inline datums
  • Outputs with reference scripts
  • Full outputs with multi-assets, inline datums, and reference scripts

Test Coverage:

• TxOutValue tests for both lovelace-only and multi-asset values
• AddressInEra serialization tests
• ReferenceScript golden tests
• UTxO serialization with multiple outputs
• Pretty-printed JSON golden files for human readability

Golden Files Generated:

• 13 golden test files covering all major serialization scenarios
• Located in cardano-api/test/cardano-api-golden/files/TxOut/conway/
• Each file captures the exact JSON format to guard against regression

Technical Details

The refactoring leverages the Exp.convert function to obtain appropriate era witnesses dynamically, eliminating the need for explicit pattern matching on each era. This approach:

1. Reduces code duplication: Single implementation handles all supported eras
2. Improves extensibility: Adding new eras requires minimal changes
3. Maintains type safety: Era constraints are still enforced at compile time
4. Preserves compatibility: JSON format remains identical (verified by golden tests)

Impact Analysis

• No breaking changes: All public APIs maintain their signatures
• Internal only: Changes are confined to instance implementations
• Performance neutral: No algorithmic changes, only code organization
• Future-proof: Easier to add support for new eras going forward

[Jimbo4350]

Have you tested this PR in cardano-cli?

[newhoggy]

Have you tested this PR in cardano-cli?

Yep, tested locally by referencing cardano-api from cabal.project in cardano-cli. Requires some small changes in cardano-cli.

Comments addressed.