Cloning dynamic object in c#

Question

I have a problem cloning dynamic object with the code like this:

    public void Execute(IPrepareData entity)
    {
        try
        {                
            dynamic data = entity.Primary as dynamic;
            data.PreviousInfo = deepClone(data.Info);
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            data.Errors.Add(ex.Message);
        }
    }

    private static T deepClone<T>(T obj)
    {
        if (typeof(T).IsClass || typeof(T).IsArray)
        {
            if (ReferenceEquals(obj, null))
            {
                return default(T);
            }
        }
        using (var memoryStream = new MemoryStream())
        {
            BinaryFormatter fieldFormatter = new BinaryFormatter();
            fieldFormatter.Serialize(memoryStream, obj);
            memoryStream.Position = 0;
            return (T)fieldFormatter.Deserialize(memoryStream);
        }
    }

    dynamic data;

I don't know the structure of entity in advance (only that it will contain Info, and I don't know the structure of info) and that it won't be marked serializable. I need to copy this info to previous info section of entity.

Result of execution of this code is 'Object reference not set to an instance of an object' on fieldFormatter.Serialize line.

How can I check if it is an instance of an object?

There might be (most probably will be) circular references, so I am not trying reflection as I am not sure how to deal with that. Also speed is not an issue.

data.Info is null. That's why you are getting the exception. — Daniel Hilgarth
– Daniel Hilgarth, Commented Sep 26, 2012 at 12:53
typeof(T).IsClass is true, Name = "Info" FullName = "Project.Entities.Info", so it get to the check and passes it. — Sergei G
– Sergei G, Commented Sep 26, 2012 at 13:12

Steph · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-22 14:36:42Z

10

What about

var clone = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<dynamic>(JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj));

answered Jun 22, 2017 at 14:36

Steph

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Comments

Marc Gravell · Accepted Answer · 2012-09-26 12:58:32Z

5

If you don't know that the data will be marked serializable, then you can't rely on using BinaryFormatter.

If the object is likely to have circular references, a lot of other serializers are out of the question.

If we assume it is the general case of dynamic (and not just ExpandoObject), then there is no way of getting information about the members, since they can be invented as they are queried.

Basically, this scenario *has no good answer. There is no magic way to just deep clone "a thing".

answered Sep 26, 2012 at 12:58

Marc Gravell

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Comments

bradodarb · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-10 02:02:45Z

0

I have been using JSON.net for serializing user defined types and it has been working well.

There are flags to ignore null properties, or it will by default save as

{propname: 'undefined'}

I know you mentioned speed as not being an issue, but the serializer is very fast.

Here is the nuget package.

answered May 10, 2013 at 2:02

bradodarb

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