Return dynamic jsonobject from ASP.NET controller

Question

I'm trying to return a dynamic object deserialized from a json string. At runtime I don't know what the object looks like so I can't type it.

I've tried this:

var json = @"[{""clientNumber"":""3052394"",""accountStatus"":""Active""},{""clientNumber"":""1700630"",""accountStatus"":""Active""}]";
dynamic result = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(json);
return Json(result, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);

But the result comes out like this:

[[[[]],[[]]],[[[]],[[]]]]

I know I can do this:

var result = new{...};

But this won't work an I don't know what the object is looking like at runtime.

In my opinion, there is something wrong in your json. There are too many commas — erikscandola
– erikscandola, Commented Jan 28, 2016 at 14:05
When you try result.ToString() you should see your json, if not your json is not proper. — Cihan Uygun
– Cihan Uygun, Commented Jan 28, 2016 at 14:06
You get a json payload, deserialize it and then serialize it back to return it? Why don't you jus treturn the original json payload then? — dustinmoris
– dustinmoris, Commented Jan 28, 2016 at 14:06

spender · Accepted Answer · 2016-01-28 14:18:52Z

10

So the standard Controller.Json method in an MVC controller plays strangely with dynamic types.

Just as you did the deserialization with JSON.NET, you'd be better off doing the serialization with JSON.NET too and returning the string output.

return Content(JsonConvert.SerializeObject(dynamicInstance), "application/json");

edited Jan 28, 2016 at 14:18

answered Jan 28, 2016 at 14:11

spender

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3 Comments

dustinmoris Over a year ago

Except that it doesn't make sense to deserialize json and then in the next line serialize it back. He should just return the original json payload then...

spender Over a year ago

@dustinmoris Yes, that's a given. I'm left with the feeling that there's more to the OPs code than that which he has chosen to show us, otherwise we're looking at the most pointless programming exercise I've seen in a while.

gdbdable Over a year ago

If Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.Core used, JsonResult is same internally serializes objects by json.net

Avi Fatal · Accepted Answer · 2016-01-28 14:09:13Z

5

What about Dictionary<string,string> ?

var j = new Dictionary<string,string>();
j.Add("clientNumber","3052394");
j.Add("accountStatus","Active");
return Json(j, JsonRequestBehavior.AllowGet);

answered Jan 28, 2016 at 14:09

Avi Fatal

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1 Comment

gdbdable Over a year ago

this is not dynamic object

gdbdable · Accepted Answer · 2019-03-15 11:22:11Z

0

This is because JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(json) return JArray instance.

And (i dont know why) not serializes correctly in return Json() of ApiController

I my case only helps to define static type and serialize to it before return

answered Mar 15, 2019 at 11:22

gdbdable

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Comments

Luca.A · Accepted Answer · 2016-01-28 14:08:46Z

-2

This isn't a valid JSON because you have to much " in your JSONString. I don't know if this solves your problem, but try this one:

var json = @"[{\"clientNumber\":\"3052394\",\"accountStatus\":\"Active\"},{\"clientNumber\":\"1700630\",\"accountStatus\":\"Active\"}]";

answered Jan 28, 2016 at 14:08

Luca.A

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2 Comments

gdbdable Over a year ago

JsonConvert.DeserializeObject() passed, this means json is ok

Geoduck Over a year ago

if using @"" you escape quotes using "" and not \"

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