JSON.NET: Serialize json string property into json object

Question

Is it possible to tell JSON.NET I have a string with JSON data? E.g. I have a class like this:

public class Foo
{
    public int Id;
    public string RawData;
}

which I use like this:

var foo = new Foo();
foo.Id = 5;
foo.RawData = @"{""bar"":42}";

which I want to be serialized like this:

{"Id":5,"RawData":{"bar":42}}

Basically I have a piece of unstructured variable-length data stored as JSON already, I need fully serialized object to contain this data as a part.

Thanks.

EDIT: Just to make sure it is understood properly, this is one-way serialization, i.e. I don't need it to deserialize back into same object; the other system shall process this output. I need content of RawData to be a part of JSON, not a mere string.

yes it is possible, but can you tell me exactly what is the output you need? currently it is: {"Id":5,"RawData":"{\"bar\":42}"} — user2535425
– user2535425, Commented Jul 11, 2013 at 4:36
@Rivers, this is exactly what I need. I have a string property with JSON content which I think is useless to deserialize just for the purpose of serializing it back to JSON. — port443
– port443, Commented Jul 11, 2013 at 12:27
@Rivers, sorry, I didn't read your example well enough. In your case content of RawData in JSON is string, I need it to be a sub-object (i.e. your variant has extra quotes and backslashes added. — port443
– port443, Commented Jul 11, 2013 at 13:15

pettys · Accepted Answer · 2023-05-11 22:42:44Z

23

You need a converter to do that, here is an example:

public class RawJsonConverter : JsonConverter
{
   public override void WriteJson(JsonWriter writer, object value, JsonSerializer serializer)
   {
       writer.WriteRawValue(value.ToString());
   }

   public override object ReadJson(JsonReader reader, Type objectType, object existingValue, JsonSerializer serializer)
   {
        using (var stringWriter = new StringWriter(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture)) 
        {
            using (var jsonTextWriter = new JsonTextWriter(stringWriter))
            {
                jsonTextWriter.WriteToken(reader);
                var result = stringWriter.ToString();
                return result;
            }
        }
   }

   public override bool CanConvert(Type objectType)
   {
       return typeof(string).IsAssignableFrom(objectType);
   }
   
   public override bool CanRead
   {
       get { return true; }
   }   
}

Then decorate your class with it:

public class Foo
{
    public int Id;
    [JsonConverter(typeof(RawJsonConverter))]
    public string RawData;
}

Then, when you use:

var json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(foo,
                                    new JsonSerializerSettings());
Console.WriteLine (json);

This is your output:

{"Id":5,"RawData":{"bar":42}}

Hope it helps

Edit: I have updated my answer for a more efficient solution, the previous one forced you to serialize to then deserialize, this doesn't.

Edit, 5/11/2023: Changed JsonConverter to also support deserialization.

edited May 11, 2023 at 22:42

pettys

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answered Jul 11, 2013 at 19:15

user2535425

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1 Comment

port443 Over a year ago

I'll have to try it myself, but looks like it solves my problem. Thanks @Rivers.

David Gardiner · Accepted Answer · 2022-03-07 23:33:21Z

8

It is possible, that using JRaw could be more suitable and compact solution

See this post

edited Mar 7, 2022 at 23:33

David Gardiner

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answered Aug 6, 2017 at 13:36

Alexus1024

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Comments

Tarek Ayna · Accepted Answer · 2015-01-29 02:17:14Z

4

You can use another property to deserialize the object property json.

public class Foo
{
    public int Id;
    public string RawData;
    private object thisObject;
    public object ThisObject 
    {
        get
        {
            return thisObject ?? (thisObject = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<object>(RawData));
        }
    }        
}

answered Jan 29, 2015 at 2:17

Tarek Ayna

3505 silver badges10 bronze badges

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