Serialize data to json string with dynamic property names

Question

I have a method which accepts a key and a value. Both variables can have a dynamic content.

key => is a dynamic string which can be everything like e.g. "LastSentDate"
value => is an object which can be everything like e.g. "2014-10-10"

As key is a dynamic value like "LastSentDate" or whatever key is passed to the method then I want that the json property is the value of the key string and not literally key itself...

public void SetRowVariable(string key, object value)
{
    var obj = new { key = value }; // key property is literally taken maybe anonym object is not a good idea?
     string jsonString = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj);

    // jsonString should have that output => "{ "LastSentDate": "2014-10-10" }"
}

How do I have to serialize the obj that I get the wished output?

It must also be possible that the "key" property can contain special chars like "!"§$%&/()=?"`

I am using .NET 3.5 sadly.

Andrew Whitaker · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-11 20:39:28Z

15

You could use a JObject (in Newtonsoft.Json.Linq):

var obj = new JObject();
obj[key] = JToken.FromObject(value);

string jsonString = obj.ToString();

answered Nov 11, 2014 at 20:39

Andrew Whitaker

126k32 gold badges296 silver badges308 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

3 Comments

Pascal Over a year ago

After trying out some things like AddOrUpdate behavior of a JObject I must say your tip is really good it totally fitted into what I tried:

alexg Over a year ago

@AndrewWhitaker: Your solution is also a great approach to serialize an object with the root element included: obj[ value.GetType().Name ] = JToken.FromObject( value );

Arjit Sharma Over a year ago

@AndrewWhitaker : Even after 8 years of your answer, you saved the day for me :)

Darin Dimitrov · Accepted Answer · 2014-11-11 20:37:18Z

11

You may try using a Dictionary<string, object>:

public void SetRowVariable(string key, object value)
{
    var obj = new Dictionary<string, object>();
    obj[key] = value; // Of course you can put whatever crap you want here as long as your keys are unique
    string jsonString = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj);
    ...
}

answered Nov 11, 2014 at 20:37

Darin Dimitrov

1.0m277 gold badges3.3k silver badges3k bronze badges

2 Comments

Pascal Over a year ago

I am not sure whose answer is better or wether I really need the overhead of a dictionary vs solution from @Andrew Whitaker, first I have to do another SO question... :-)

Pascal Over a year ago

Darin you rock in MVC ;-) but this point goes to Andrew. But hey you got 4 upvotes :P

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Serialize data to json string with dynamic property names

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

3 Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related