How do I expose data in a JSON format through a web service using Java?

Question

Is there an easy way to return data to web service clients in JSON using java? I\'m fine with servlets, spring, etc.

Answer 1

We have been using Flexjson for converting Java objects to JSON and have found it very easy to use. http://flexjson.sourceforge.net

Here are some examples:

public String searchCars() {
  List cars = carsService.getCars(manufacturerId);
  return new JSONSerializer().serialize(cars);
}

It has some cool features such as deepSerialize to send the entire graph and it doesn't break with bi directional relationships.

new JSONSerializer().deepSerialize(user); 

Formatting dates on the server side is often handy too

new JSONSerializer().transform(
  new DateTransformer("dd/MM/yyyy"),"startDate","endDate"
).serialize(contract);