Serialize an object using DataContractJsonSerializer as a json array

Question

I have a class which contains a list of items. I want to serialize an instance of this class to json using the DataContractJsonSerializer as a json array. eg.

class MyClass 
{
    List<MyItem> _items;
}

class MyItem
{
   public string Name {get;set;}
   public string Description {get;set;}
}

When serialized to json it should be like this :

[{"Name":"one","Description":"desc1"},{"Name":"two","Description":"desc2"}]

And what is the problem you have? Do you have a question about this? — Oded, May 16 '10 at 16:19
Also FWIW you should check out the Json.NET serializer as it is far more performant than the WCF Json serializer. — Chris Marisic, May 16 '10 at 16:29

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered May 16 '10 at 16:26

[DataContract]
public class MyItem
{
    [DataMember]
    public string Name { get; set; }

    [DataMember]
    public string Description { get; set; }
}

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        var graph = new List<MyItem>
        {
            new MyItem { Name = "one", Description = "desc1" },
            new MyItem { Name = "two", Description = "desc2" }
        };
        var serializer = new DataContractJsonSerializer(graph.GetType());
        serializer.WriteObject(Console.OpenStandardOutput(), graph);
    }
}

The problem is, List HAS to be member of MyClass, and MyClass should be serialized as array... so graph would be instance if MyClass and the items will be added to this instance — rekna, May 16 '10 at 16:37

Serialize an object using DataContractJsonSerializer as a json array

1 Answers1