How do I prevent JSON serialization in ASP.NET MVC?

Question

While developing an ASP.NET MVC app, I\'m finding a few places where my JsonResult actions throw an exception \"A circular reference was detected while serializing an object\".<

Answer 1

I've generally found that for complex objects its best to just serialize by creating a temporary 'inbetween' object :

For instance for testimonials I do the following. I actually do this in the codebehind for my ASPX model page.

This creates a nice JSON object. You'll notice I can even refactor my model and the page will still work. Its just another layer of abstraction between the data model and the page. I dont think my controller should know about JSON as much as possible, but the ASPX 'codebehind' certainly can.

/// 

/// Get JSON for testimonials
/// 
public string TestimonialsJSON
{
    get
    {
        return Model.Testimonials.Select(
            x => new
            {
                testimonial = x.TestimonialText,
                name = x.name
            }
            ).ToJSON();
    }
}

In my ASPX I just do this in a block:

var testimonials = <%= TestimonialsJSON %>;

// oh and ToJSON() is an extension method
public static class ObjectExtensions
{
    public static string ToJSON(this Object obj)
    {
        return new JavaScriptSerializer().Serialize(obj);
    }
}

I'm ready for the backlash against this suggestion... bring it on...

I'm not accessing data, merely reformatting a model for the View. This is 'view model' logic, not 'controller model' logic.