Generate lightweight JSON using DataContractJsonSerializer

Question

I\'m trying to generate JSON using C# and DataContractJsonSerializer in .Net 3.5. The problem is that I can\'t figure out how to build the structure correct for the result I

Answer 1

You should look at using the JavaScriptSerializer. It's part of the .NET framework (distributed in System.Web.Extensions). To get the result you want you can do this:

var results = new[]
{
    new{id=1,name="Result 1"},
    new{id=2,name="Result 2"},
    new{id=3,name="Result 3"}
};

var js = new JavaScriptSerializer();
var result = js.Serialize(new
{
    status = "ok",
    response = results,
    caller = 1135345
});

You can either use anonymous classes, or any existing ones. Works perfectly fine :) The return value of this call would be:

{"status":"ok","response":[{"id":1,"name":"Result 1"},{"id":2,"name":"Result 2"},{"id":3,"name":"Result 3"}],"caller":1135345}

Answer 2

Using the JavaScriptSerializer rather than DataContractJsonSerializer on a Dictionary will remove the Key/Value json attributes and make them into a "keyed" array.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb412168.aspx

Have you attributed your classes with the [DataContract] and [DataMember] decorators?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb412179.aspx