A Complete Guide for Deserializing JSON to Dynamic Objects On The Fly in C#
C# is a strongly typed programming language, all the variable types should be defined upon declaration. Also, although C# supports dynamic, modifiable structure objects, this programming language is not as optimized for working with them as PHP or Javascript + Javascript-based frameworks are.
JSON (Javascript Object Notation) itself is a widely used format of communication between different services or programs, especially when it comes to Web-based services and APIs.
Having a function/method or class for handling JSON to object conversions without having to declare the whole object structure and property types preliminarily is a big deal: you don’t always know the structure in advance and even if you did, you might only need a small part of it and therefore an ability to navigate to it quickly.
The most popular high-performance C# library for deserializing JSON strings to dynamic objects is the Newtonsoft.json package by James Newton-King. It has almost a billion downloads and the latest stable version as of writing this article is v12.0.3.
There are other ways, like using web helpers to get some javascript logic working for us but they’re not supported in .NET 3x and below, which simply means they don’t always work, while Newtonsoft always does, I don’t know about you but I’m not a big sometimes person when it comes to JSON, so without further ado, let’s begin!
1. Installing Newtonsoft
Let’s start by creating a new project in Visual Studio or opening an existing one. Once ready, let’s open NuGet package manager by opening Solution Explorer and right-clicking the solution name (the very top row), then click on Manage NuGet Packages for Solution.
NuGet Package Manager will open where you can see already installed packages, update them, or Browse and install new ones:
Click on Browse to search and install a new package, once you click on it, Newtonsoft.Json is so popular it’s the first one on the list, you don’t even have to search for it, just install and we’re ready for the next step!
2. Deserializing JSON to Object
3. Object To JSON
We can do the opposite conversion simply by typing:
Thank you!
If you enjoyed this article, please, hit that clap button, this way more people will be able to find it!
Would you also like additional free stuff?
Get $100 in cloud credits from DigitalOcean when you register from this link: https://m.do.co/c/88f25eea9442
$140 from FBS: regulated by IFSC, this broker is one of the oldest and most established institutions, operating since 2009.
Requirements:
- Register a new account with $140 on it
- Use the leverage of 1:500 to maximize your profits
- You can withdraw all profits
Available Markets: Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, CFDs, Metals, Commodities, Foreign Exchange
$30 from Tickmill: regulated by FSA, this broker operates since 2015.
Requirements:
- Register a new account with $30 on it
- Use the leverage of up to 1:500 to maximize your profits
- Withdraw the profits after 5 lots are traded
- The maximum withdrawal amount is $300
Available Markets: Stock Indices, Oil, Precious Metals, Bonds, Foreign Exchange.
$30 from Roboforex: regulated by CySEC and IFSC, Roboforex is operating since 2009 and is one of the most popular and trusted brokers among traders today.
Requirements:
- Open an account and deposit $10 to verify your payment method (can be withdrawn at any time) and get $30 as a gift
- Profits are withdrawable without limitations
- If you trade the necessary number of lots, you can withdraw the $30 too
Available Markets: Stocks (all NYSE, NASDAQ, and AMEX shares + German and Chinese listed companies), Stock CFDs (on all stocks, $1.5 per trade fee on US-listed shares), Indices, ETFs, Commodities, Metals, Energy Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Cryptoindices, Foreign Exchange.
Have a nice day!