Develop Reference

Serialize flat Dictionary into multi-sub-object JSON

In C# I have a flat Dictionary<string, string> where keys are in form of obj1/obj2/obj3 and values are direct string. Now I want to serialize that into subobjects, so example values:
var dict = new Dictionary<string, string> { {"foo/bar/baz1", "123" }, {"foo/baz", "456" }, { "foo/abc", "def" } };
should result with:
{
"foo": {
"bar": {
"baz1": "123"
},
"baz": "456",
"abc": "def"
}
}
Optionally I want to remove quotes around "123" and "456" in output if they can be interpreted as numbers or booleans.
I am using Newtonsoft.JSON

You can parse a source dictionary into JObject using JObject.FromObject method. Then go through all of properties, split them using string.Split and parse recursively to a new JObject, representing a properties tree. Finally add this object to the destination one using JObject.Add, or update it if the given key is already exist
var dict = new Dictionary<string, string> { { "foo/bar/baz1", "123" }, { "foo/baz", "456" }, { "foo/abc", "def" } };
var source = JObject.FromObject(dict);
var dest = new JObject();
foreach (var property in source.Properties())
{
//split the name into parts
var items = property.Name.Split(new[] { "/" }, StringSplitOptions.RemoveEmptyEntries);
var item = items.FirstOrDefault();
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(item))
continue;
//get JObject representing a properties tree
var result = WriteItems(items.Skip(1).ToList(), property.Value);
//check that destination already contains top property name (e.g. 'foo')
if (dest.ContainsKey(item))
{
(dest[item] as JObject)?.Add(result.First);
}
else
{
dest.Add(item, result);
}
}
Console.WriteLine(dest.ToString());
//local function to recursively go through all properties and create a result JObject
JObject WriteItems(IList<string> items, JToken value)
{
var item = items.FirstOrDefault();
items.RemoveAt(0);
if (!items.Any()) //no more items in keys, add the value
return new JObject(new JProperty(item, value));
return new JObject(new JProperty(item, WriteItems(items, value)));
}
It produces the following output
{
"foo": {
"bar": {
"baz1": "123"
},
"baz": "456",
"abc": "def"
}
}
Also, the code above allows you to handle a properties tree with any depth. I don't think that there is a built-in way to serialize the structure like foo/bar/baz1 into sub-objects in Json.NET

How to change the value of a StringBuilder Parsing through JArray

I have struggled to finish this task, please if anyone can give me a hint I would be so thankful.
My main task is to get data from database using (FOR JSON AUTO) which is working :)
select filed1, field2, field3 from table FOR JSON AUTO;
And then after connecting to Data base I use the StringBuilder() to build a Json Array of objects which is working :)
var jsonResult = new StringBuilder();
if(!r.HasRows)
{
jsonResult.Append("[]");
}
else
{
while(r.Read())
{
jsonResult.Append(r.GetValue(0).ToString());
}
// JArray array = JArray...
}
After that I am trying to change the value of filed1 for each object inside the Json Array
JArray array = JArray.Parse(jsonResult.ToString());
foreach (JObject obj in array.Children<JObject>())
{
foreach (JProperty singleProp in obj.Properties())
{
string name = singleProp.Name;
string value = singleProp.Value.ToString();
if(name.ToString() == "field1")
{
Int64 newID = 1234;
value = newID.ToString();
}
}
}
This is working but My BIG QUESTION is how can I get it changed inside the jsonResult?

You simply have to replace the value that you want to update. Since StringBuilder has a .Replace inbuilt method, you can implement that method.
`JArray arr = JArray.Parse(jsonResult.ToString());
foreach (JObject obj in arr.Children<JObject>())
{
foreach(JProperty singleProp in obj.Properties())
{
string name = singleProp.Name;
string value = singleProp.Value.ToString();
if (name.ToString().Equals("field1")) //good practice
{
Int64 newID = 1234;
jsonResult.Replace(value, newID.ToString());//replacing old value with new value and directly updates jsonResult
}
//not necesssary, explanation is given below
var jsonElement = JsonSerializer.Deserialize<JsonElement>(jsonResult.ToString());
result = JsonSerializer.Serialize(jsonElement, options);
}
}`
And for better formatting, I used JsonSerializer so that your output will look like json object rather than whole string without any lines.
` var options = new JsonSerializerOptions()
{
WriteIndented = true
};
var result = ""
while loop{
jsonResult.Append(r.GetValue(0).ToString());
(Above code)
}
`

How to concat values with same key from JSON Array

I'm working on a project where I want to build tokens from a JSON Array.
//Data fed to the system
{"Fruits":[{"Number":"111", "Name":"Apple"}, {"Number":"112", "Name":"Orange"},{"Number":"113", "Name":"Peach"}]}
//serializes the http content to a string
string result = Request.Content.ReadAsStringAsync().Result;
//deserializes result
Dictionary<string, dynamic> data = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Dictionary<string, dynamic>>(result);
//builds custom tokens
var customTokens = new Dictionary<string, object>();
foreach (var dataField in data)
{
if (dataField.Value is JArray)
{
string nameValue = "";
foreach (JObject content in dataField.Value.Children<JObject>())
{
foreach (JProperty prop in content.Properties())
{
nameValue += prop.Name.ToString() + " : " + prop.Value.ToString();
}
}
customTokens.Add($"{dataField.Key}", nameValue);
}
}
The above code managed to create token $Fruits.
But i also want to achieve token $Number and $Name, where values of each token is from the concatenated values of same key. Example, If I use the "$Number", it will be replaced by 111, 112, 113 and If I use the $Name, it will be replaced by Apple, Orange, Peach.
Also, I'm not using any strongly type models as I don't know what data will be fed to the system.
Any help?

There are a few minor changes to your code to achieve this. First make your dictionary look like this:
var customTokens = new Dictionary<string, List<string>>();
Then, when you loop over all the properties in the array, check if the property has been added, and if not add it.
foreach (JProperty prop in content.Properties())
{
if(customTokens.ContainsKey(prop.Name))
{
customTokens[prop.Name].Add(prop.Value.ToString());
}
else
{
customTokens.Add(prop.Name, new List<string> { prop.Value.ToString() });
}
}
At the end you have a dictionary where the key is the property name and the value is a List<string> - this can be concatenated together:
foreach(var item in customTokens)
{
Console.WriteLine(item.Key + ":" + String.Join(",", item.Value));
}
Or, if you really want it in a dictionary of concatenated strings just do this
var finalResult = customTokens.ToDictionary(k => k.Key, v => String.Format(",",v.Value));
Note you'll need to add using System.Linq to the top of your file to use ToDictionary
Final test code:
var result = "{ \"Fruits\":[{\"Number\":\"111\", \"Name\":\"Apple\"}, {\"Number\":\"112\", \"Name\":\"Orange\"},{\"Number\":\"113\", \"Name\":\"Peach\"}]}";
Dictionary<string, dynamic> data = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Dictionary<string, dynamic>>(result);
var customTokens = new Dictionary<string, List<string>>();
foreach (var dataField in data)
{
if (dataField.Value is JArray)
{
foreach (JObject content in dataField.Value.Children<JObject>())
{
foreach (JProperty prop in content.Properties())
{
if(customTokens.ContainsKey(prop.Name))
{
customTokens[prop.Name].Add(prop.Value.ToString());
}
else
{
customTokens.Add(prop.Name, new List<string> { prop.Value.ToString() });
}
}
}
foreach(var item in customTokens)
{
Console.WriteLine(item.Key + ":" + String.Join(",", item.Value));
}
}
}

How to Modify JSON object inside JSON array in c#?

This is my Json Array
[
{
"gregdate": "06-03-2019",
"maldate": "22-07-1194",
"gregmonth": "March",
"selected_status": "1"
},
{
"gregdate": "04-05-2019",
"maldate": "21-09-1194",
"gregmonth": "May",
"selected_status": "1"
},
{
"gregdate": "03-06-2019",
"maldate": "20-10-1194",
"gregmonth": "June",
"selected_status": "1"
}
]
In this JSON Array, I want to change 2nd JSON Object "selected_status" value "1" to "0" without changing the position of the JSON Object.

You need to first convert you object array to JArray and then change its second object property from 1 to 0 like
string json = "You json here"; //Load your json
JArray jArray = JArray.Parse(json); //Parse it to JArray
var jObjects = jArray.ToObject<List<JObject>>(); //Get list of objects inside array
foreach (var obj in jObjects) //Loop through on a list
{
if (jObjects.IndexOf(obj) == 1) //Get 2nd object from array
{
foreach (var prop in obj.Properties()) //List 2nd objects properties
{
if (prop.Name == "selected_status") //Get desired property
obj["selected_status"] = 0; //Change its value
}
}
}
JArray outputArray = JArray.FromObject(jObjects); //Output array
Alternative:
As suggested by Brian Rogers you can directly query your JArray to replace its specific property value like,
string json = "You json here"; //Load your json
JArray jArray = JArray.Parse(json); //Parse it to JArray
jArray[1]["selected_status"] = "0"; //Querying your array to get property of 2nd object
string outputJson = jArray.ToString(); //Output json
Output: (from debugger)

This question helped me figure a couple things out - so here is what I came up with. I'm guessing that the json is a sample and what is desired is changing the status for a specific date, rather than just the second element. At least that's what I've been looking for. This is more dynamic and you don't have to worry about the position of the element.
string newJson = "";
if (SwitchStatus(jsonString, "04-05-2019", "0", out newJson))
{
Console.Write(newJson);
}
else
{
Console.WriteLine("Date Not Found");
}
Console.ReadLine();
static bool SwitchStatus(string jsonString, string searchBy, string switchTo, out string output)
{
dynamic jsonObj = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(jsonString);
JToken status = jsonObj.SelectToken($"$..[?(#.gregdate == '{searchBy}')].selected_status");
if (status != null)
{
status.Replace(switchTo);
output = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(jsonObj, Newtonsoft.Json.Formatting.Indented);
}
else
{
output = jsonString;
}
return status != null;
}

Extracting variable data from JSON in C#

I have the following JSON which I need to manipulate into a different JSON format to be consumed by another process. My data is variable to some extent. Here is an example:
{
"subform_12": {
"multiline_2": "Subform 1 Long Text",
"listpicker_5": "High",
"alpha_1": "SubForm 1 Text"
},
"subform_13": {
"multiline_2": "Subform 2 Long Text",
"alpha_1": "SubForm 2 Text"
}
}
The variable part is the name of the json object (eg "subform_13") and the number and content of name pairs per object (eg "multiline_2": "Subform 1 Long Text").
What I need to do is convert each node into its own chunk of json, as in the following format:
{
"subform_13": [
[{
"fieldKey": "multiline_2",
"value": "Subform 2 Long Text"
},
{
"fieldKey": "alpha_1",
"value": "SubForm 2 Text"
}
]
]
}
Then separately:
{
"subform_13": [
[{
"fieldKey": "multiline_2",
"value": "Subform 2 Long Text"
},
{
"fieldKey": "alpha_1",
"value": "SubForm 2 Text"
}
]
]
}
So far I see that I can iterate thru the list as follows:
var json = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<dynamic>(
jsonString,
new Newtonsoft.Json.JsonSerializerSettings()
{
DateParseHandling = Newtonsoft.Json.DateParseHandling.None,
});
foreach (var item in json)
{
// I can see the "subform_13" and contents here in item , how do I generically extract them?
}
Any help appreciated.

Here is your Main method augmented with the ability to iterate through all values:
static void Main(string[] args)
{
var json = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Dictionary<string,JObject>>(
jsonString,
new Newtonsoft.Json.JsonSerializerSettings()
{
DateParseHandling = Newtonsoft.Json.DateParseHandling.None,
});
foreach (var item in json)
{
var key = item.Key; // "subform_12"
var val = item.Value;
Console.WriteLine(key+":");
foreach (var field in val)
{
var fieldKey = field.Key; // e.g. "multiline_2"
var fieldVal = field.Value; // e.g. "Subform 1 Long Text"
Console.WriteLine($"{fieldKey}={fieldVal.Value<string>()}");
}
Console.WriteLine();
}
}
I am just printing the values out; you would construct your new objects - for example as dynamic - using these values.
The output of my Main is:
subform_12:
multiline_2=Subform 1 Long Text
listpicker_5=High
alpha_1=SubForm 1 Text
subform_13:
multiline_2=Subform 2 Long Text
alpha_1=SubForm 2 Text
Hope it helps.

There are probably more elegant ways using linq, but here's code using a plain old JavaScriptSerializer from System.Web.Extensions.
There is a result dictionary, which you probably don't need if you want each object separated.
The json strings for each object is stored in the allJson list.
Similary, if you want the dictionary objects themselves you could just add seperated to a list during each iteration.
string s = "{\"subform_12\":{\"multiline_2\":\"Subform 1 Long Text\",\"listpicker_5\":\"High\",\"alpha_1\":\"SubForm 1 Text\"},\"subform_13\":{\"multiline_2\":\"Subform 2 Long Text\",\"alpha_1\":\"SubForm 2 Text\"}}";
JavaScriptSerializer ser = new JavaScriptSerializer();
Dictionary<string, object> obj = ser.DeserializeObject(s) as Dictionary<string, object>;
// combined dictionary of all results
Dictionary<string, object> result = new Dictionary<string, object>();
// an intermediary dictionary to house the results of each object
Dictionary<string, object> separated = new Dictionary<string, object>();
// a list to hold the json representation of each separate object
List<String> allJson = new List<string>();
foreach (KeyValuePair<string, object> src in obj)
{
Dictionary<string, object> children = (Dictionary<string, object>)src.Value;
Dictionary<string, object> t = new Dictionary<string, object>();
separated = new Dictionary<string, object>();
List<object> l = new List<object>();
foreach (KeyValuePair<string, object> child in children)
{
t.Add("fieldKey", child.Key);
t.Add("value", child.Value);
l.Add(t);
t = new Dictionary<string, object>();
}
separated.Add(src.Key, l.ToArray());
allJson.Add(ser.Serialize(separated));
result.Add(src.Key, l.ToArray());
}
// final string containing all transformed objects combined.
string combined = ser.Serialize(result);