Parsing a Json array using Play Framework and Java

Question

I have the following Json structure:

{
    "name": "John",
    "surname": "Doe",
    "languages": [
    {"language": "english", "level": "3"},
    {"language": "french", "level": "1"}
    ]
}

I am using the Play Framework to parse Json data from a HTTP message, which was sent by using an self-developed REST service. I know already how I can parse the name and surname from the Json data by looking at the documentation, this is done by:

JsonNode json = request().body().asJson();
String name = json.findPath("name").textValue();
String surname = json.findPath("surname").textValue();

Now my question is, how I can parse the array "languages" in the Json data. I have found some other posts about this problem, but they were all using Scala, which I cant get my head around, so preferably I'm looking for a Java solution.

I have already tried several things, like for example this:

    List<JsonNode> languages = json.findPath("languages").getElements();

According to the documentation json.findPath() returns a JsonNode, on which can be called the function getElements(), which would return an Iterator of JsonNode. But I get a compile error on getElements: "The method getElements() is undefined for the type JsonNode"

Anyone knows of an easy way to parse such an array? Thanks in advance

sebster · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-31 17:07:27Z

14

You could do it in a for-each loop like this:

JsonNode json = request().body().asJson();

for (JsonNode language : json.withArray("languages")) {
    Logger.info("language -> " + language.get("someField").asText());
    //do something else
}

Or, if you're into lambdas:

json.withArray("languages").forEach(language -> Logger.info("language -> " + language));

Also... the correct way to create an ArrayNode:

//using a mapper(important subject the mapper is)
ObjectMapper mapper = new ObjectMapper();
ArrayNode array = mapper.createArrayNode();

//using an existing ArrayNode from a JsonNode
ArrayNode array = json.withArray("fieldName");

//or using Play's Json helper class
ArrayNode array = Json.newArray();

You should really read more about the capabilities of jackson/fasterxml. It's a very performant lib. A good start is JacksonInFiveMinutes.

edited Jan 31, 2017 at 17:07

answered May 4, 2015 at 16:09

sebster

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5 Comments

jbrulmans Over a year ago

Thx for the tip! Going to check it out as I speak.

jbrulmans Over a year ago

I managed to achieve what I wanted by using ArrayNode array = json.withArray("fieldName"); Thank you very much sebster!

Kyle Luke Over a year ago

@sebster you made my day. Works perfectly

Julian V. Modesto Over a year ago

Instead of new ObjectMapper(), you could also go with Json.mapper() to get Play's global mapper.

sebster Over a year ago

@JulianV.Modesto: You're right. I'll add it to the answer.

Ori Lentz · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-04 14:39:17Z

1

Try this:

JsonNode node = (JsonNode)json.findPath("languages");
ArrayNode arr = (ArrayNode)node;
Iterator<JsonNode> it = arr.iterator();
while (it.hasNext()) {
    JSONObject obj = it.next();
    System.out.println("language: " + obj.findPath("language").getTextValue();
}

Here I'm simply printing one of the elements, but you could do whatever you want of course :)

Hope this helps.

edited May 4, 2015 at 14:39

answered May 4, 2015 at 12:49

Ori Lentz

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3 Comments

jbrulmans Over a year ago

The constructor of JSONArray does not seem to accept an object of type 'JsonNode' unfortunately. "JSONException: JSONArray initial value should be a string or collection or array."

Ori Lentz Over a year ago

Really? That's a bit odd. I've edited my answer to try and give another option. I don't think I have any other way in mind if that doesn't work. Is there a reason why you're using Play Framework specifically or can you maybe try a different parse? If so, I recommend Gson or something like that, it's much more Java-friendly (and is a lot more documented with Java examples :) )

ccheneson Over a year ago

@OriLentz : Dont you mean ArrayNode arr = (ArrayNode)node; ?

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