> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.lenses.io/latest/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.lenses.io/latest/connectors/tutorials/source-converters-with-incoming-json-or-avro.md).

# Source converters with incoming JSON or Avro

Source converters depend on the source system you are reading data from. The Connect *SourceTask* class requires you to supply a List of *SourceRecords*. Those records can have a schema but how the schema is translated from the source system to a Connect Struct depends on the connector.

We provide four converters out of the box but you can plug in your own. The `WITHCONVERTER` keyword supports this option. These can be used when source systems send records as JSON or AVRO, for example, MQTT or JMS.

{% hint style="info" %}
Not all Connectors support the source converters. Check the option reference for your connector.
{% endhint %}

Before records are passed back to connect, they go through the converter if specified.

## AvroConverter <a href="#avroconverter" id="avroconverter"></a>

```bash
io.lenses.streamreactor.connect.converters.source.AvroConverter
```

The payload is an Avro message. In this case, you need to provide a path for the Avro schema file to be able to decode it.

## JsonPassThroughConverter

```
io.lenses.streamreactor.connect.converters.source.JsonPassThroughConverter 
```

The incoming payload is JSON, the resulting Kafka message value will be of type string and the contents will be the incoming JSON.

## JsonSimpleConverter <a href="#jsonsimpleconverter" id="jsonsimpleconverter"></a>

```bash
io.lenses.streamreactor.connect.converters.source.JsonSimpleConverter
```

The payload is a JSON message. This converter will parse the JSON and create an Avro record for it which will be sent to Kafka.

## JsonConverterWithSchemaEvolution <a href="#jsonconverterwithschemaevolution" id="jsonconverterwithschemaevolution"></a>

An experimental converter for translating JSON messages to Avro. The Avro schema is fully compatible as new fields are added as the JSON payload evolves.

## BytesConverter <a href="#bytesconverter" id="bytesconverter"></a>

```bash
io.lenses.streamreactor.connect.converters.source.BytesConverter
```


---

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