Get C#-Object-Array out of a JSON-String

Question

So, this is my class:

public class User
{
    public User() { }

    public string Username { get; set; }
    public string Password { get; set; }
    public string FirstName { get; set; }
    public string LastName { get; set; }

}

And this is how my JSON-String looks like:

{"results":[{"FirstName":"firstname1","LastName":"lastname1","Password":"TestPassword","Username":"TestUser","createdAt":"2015-03-02T17:36:25.232Z","objectId":"a8bKXDg2Y2","updatedAt":"2015-03-02T20:35:48.755Z"},{"FirstName":"firstname2","LastName":"lastname2","Password":"TestPw","Username":"TestUser2","createdAt":"2015-03-02T20:35:26.604Z","objectId":"2XPIklE3uW","updatedAt":"2015-03-02T20:35:53.712Z"}]}

I would like to get a User[] users out of it. My Problem is the {"results:":[....]}-Part.

I've tried it this way:

JavaScriptSerializer js = new JavaScriptSerializer();
User[] user = js.Deserialize<User[]>(jsonString);

but I think the results-Part is messing everything up somehow. What would be the best way to solve this problem?

Whenever you have the JSON I always recommend going to json2csharp.com. It will generate the classes you need to deserialize into. — Craig W.
– Craig W., Commented Mar 2, 2015 at 20:44

Darin Dimitrov · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-02 20:41:51Z

6

Try defining a wrapping model that will reflect your JSON structure:

public class MyModel
{
    public User[] Results { get; set; }
}

Now you can go ahead and deserialize your JSON string back to this wrapping model:

JavaScriptSerializer js = new JavaScriptSerializer();
MyModel model = js.Deserialize<MyModel>(jsonString);

and now there's nothing preventing you from getting your users collection back:

User[] user = model.Results;

answered Mar 2, 2015 at 20:41

Darin Dimitrov

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3 Comments

Dominik Seemayr Over a year ago

thank you, this might work - but is is a good way to create a wrapper for every class?

Darin Dimitrov Over a year ago

Of course that it is a good way. You must match exactly the JSON structure you are deserializing. Otherwise how do you expect a JSON serializer to automagically know what you are trying to achieve? It works by type introspection and properties matching. So make sure you have the proper structure when serializing/deserializing.

Dominik Seemayr Over a year ago

Thank you very much! Helped me a lot. (I need to wait about 7 minutes to accept this answer, I'll do it later)

Steve Mitcham · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-02 20:43:08Z

1

You need another layer on your model

public class Data
{
   public User[] results { get; set; }
}

Then deserialize the Data class

answered Mar 2, 2015 at 20:43

Steve Mitcham

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