Develop Reference

NewtonSoft Deserialise from stream [duplicate]

I have heard that Json.NET is faster than DataContractJsonSerializer, and wanted to give it a try...
But I couldn't find any methods on JsonConvert that take a stream rather than a string.
For deserializing a file containing JSON on WinPhone, for example, I use the following code to read the file contents into a string, and then deserialize into JSON. It appears to be about 4 times slower in my (very ad-hoc) testing than using DataContractJsonSerializer to deserialize straight from the stream...
// DCJS
DataContractJsonSerializer dc = new DataContractJsonSerializer(typeof(Constants));
Constants constants = (Constants)dc.ReadObject(stream);
// JSON.NET
string json = new StreamReader(stream).ReadToEnd();
Constants constants = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Constants>(json);
Am I doing it wrong?

The current version of Json.net does not allow you to use the accepted answer code. A current alternative is:
public static object DeserializeFromStream(Stream stream)
{
var serializer = new JsonSerializer();
using (var sr = new StreamReader(stream))
using (var jsonTextReader = new JsonTextReader(sr))
{
return serializer.Deserialize(jsonTextReader);
}
}
Documentation: Deserialize JSON from a file stream

public static void Serialize(object value, Stream s)
{
using (StreamWriter writer = new StreamWriter(s))
using (JsonTextWriter jsonWriter = new JsonTextWriter(writer))
{
JsonSerializer ser = new JsonSerializer();
ser.Serialize(jsonWriter, value);
jsonWriter.Flush();
}
}
public static T Deserialize<T>(Stream s)
{
using (StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(s))
using (JsonTextReader jsonReader = new JsonTextReader(reader))
{
JsonSerializer ser = new JsonSerializer();
return ser.Deserialize<T>(jsonReader);
}
}

UPDATE: This no longer works in the current version, see below for correct answer (no need to vote down, this is correct on older versions).
Use the JsonTextReader class with a StreamReader or use the JsonSerializer overload that takes a StreamReader directly:
var serializer = new JsonSerializer();
serializer.Deserialize(streamReader);

I've written an extension class to help me deserializing from JSON sources (string, stream, file).
public static class JsonHelpers
{
public static T CreateFromJsonStream<T>(this Stream stream)
{
JsonSerializer serializer = new JsonSerializer();
T data;
using (StreamReader streamReader = new StreamReader(stream))
{
data = (T)serializer.Deserialize(streamReader, typeof(T));
}
return data;
}
public static T CreateFromJsonString<T>(this String json)
{
T data;
using (MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream(System.Text.Encoding.Default.GetBytes(json)))
{
data = CreateFromJsonStream<T>(stream);
}
return data;
}
public static T CreateFromJsonFile<T>(this String fileName)
{
T data;
using (FileStream fileStream = new FileStream(fileName, FileMode.Open))
{
data = CreateFromJsonStream<T>(fileStream);
}
return data;
}
}
Deserializing is now as easy as writing:
MyType obj1 = aStream.CreateFromJsonStream<MyType>();
MyType obj2 = "{\"key\":\"value\"}".CreateFromJsonString<MyType>();
MyType obj3 = "data.json".CreateFromJsonFile<MyType>();
Hope it will help someone else.

I arrived at this question looking for a way to stream an open ended list of objects onto a System.IO.Stream and read them off the other end, without buffering the entire list before sending. (Specifically I'm streaming persisted objects from MongoDB over Web API.)
#Paul Tyng and #Rivers did an excellent job answering the original question, and I used their answers to build a proof of concept for my problem. I decided to post my test console app here in case anyone else is facing the same issue.
using System;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.IO;
using System.IO.Pipes;
using System.Threading;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using Newtonsoft.Json;
namespace TestJsonStream {
class Program {
static void Main(string[] args) {
using(var writeStream = new AnonymousPipeServerStream(PipeDirection.Out, HandleInheritability.None)) {
string pipeHandle = writeStream.GetClientHandleAsString();
var writeTask = Task.Run(() => {
using(var sw = new StreamWriter(writeStream))
using(var writer = new JsonTextWriter(sw)) {
var ser = new JsonSerializer();
writer.WriteStartArray();
for(int i = 0; i < 25; i++) {
ser.Serialize(writer, new DataItem { Item = i });
writer.Flush();
Thread.Sleep(500);
}
writer.WriteEnd();
writer.Flush();
}
});
var readTask = Task.Run(() => {
var sw = new Stopwatch();
sw.Start();
using(var readStream = new AnonymousPipeClientStream(pipeHandle))
using(var sr = new StreamReader(readStream))
using(var reader = new JsonTextReader(sr)) {
var ser = new JsonSerializer();
if(!reader.Read() || reader.TokenType != JsonToken.StartArray) {
throw new Exception("Expected start of array");
}
while(reader.Read()) {
if(reader.TokenType == JsonToken.EndArray) break;
var item = ser.Deserialize<DataItem>(reader);
Console.WriteLine("[{0}] Received item: {1}", sw.Elapsed, item);
}
}
});
Task.WaitAll(writeTask, readTask);
writeStream.DisposeLocalCopyOfClientHandle();
}
}
class DataItem {
public int Item { get; set; }
public override string ToString() {
return string.Format("{{ Item = {0} }}", Item);
}
}
}
}
Note that you may receive an exception when the AnonymousPipeServerStream is disposed, I ignored this as it isn't relevant to the problem at hand.

another option that is handy when you are running out of memory is to periodically flush
/// <summary>serialize the value in the stream.</summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">the type to serialize</typeparam>
/// <param name="stream">The stream.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
/// <param name="settings">The json settings to use.</param>
/// <param name="bufferSize"></param>
/// <param name="leaveOpen"></param>
public static void JsonSerialize<T>(this Stream stream,[DisallowNull] T value, [DisallowNull] JsonSerializerSettings settings, int bufferSize=1024, bool leaveOpen=false)
{
using (var writer = new StreamWriter(stream,encoding: System.Text.Encoding.UTF32,bufferSize,leaveOpen))
using (var jsonWriter = new JsonTextWriter(writer))
{
var ser = JsonSerializer.Create( settings );
ser.Serialize(jsonWriter, value);
jsonWriter.Flush();
}
}
/// <summary>serialize the value in the stream asynchronously.</summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="stream">The stream.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
/// <param name="settings">The settings.</param>
/// <param name="bufferSize">The buffer size, in bytes, set -1 to not flush till done</param>
/// <param name="leaveOpen"> true to leave the stream open </param>
/// <param name="cancellationToken">Propagates notification that operations should be canceled.</param>
public static Task JsonSerializeAsync<T>(this Stream stream,[DisallowNull] T value, [DisallowNull] JsonSerializerSettings settings, int bufferSize=1024, bool leaveOpen=false, CancellationToken cancellationToken=default)
{
using (var writer = new StreamWriter(stream,encoding: System.Text.Encoding.UTF32,bufferSize: bufferSize,leaveOpen: leaveOpen))
using (var jsonWriter = new JsonTextWriter(writer))
{
var ser = JsonSerializer.Create( settings );
ser.Serialize(jsonWriter, value);
return jsonWriter.Flush();
}
//jsonWriter.FlushAsnc with my version gives an error on the stream
return Task.CompletedTask;
}
You can test/ use it like so:
[TestMethod()]
public void WriteFileIntoJsonTest()
{
var file = new FileInfo(Path.GetTempFileName());
try
{
var list = new HashSet<Guid>();
for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++)
{
list.Add(Guid.NewGuid());
}
file.JsonSerialize(list);
var sr = file.IsValidJson<List<Guid>>(out var result);
Assert.IsTrue(sr);
Assert.AreEqual<int>(list.Count, result.Count);
foreach (var item in result)
{
Assert.IsFalse(list.Add(item), $"The GUID {item} should already exist in the hash set");
}
}
finally
{
file.Refresh();
file.Delete();
}
}
you'd need to create the extension methods, here is the whole set:
public static class JsonStreamReaderExt
{
static JsonSerializerSettings _settings ;
static JsonStreamReaderExt()
{
_settings = JsonConvert.DefaultSettings?.Invoke() ?? new JsonSerializerSettings();
_settings.ConstructorHandling = ConstructorHandling.AllowNonPublicDefaultConstructor;
_settings.DateTimeZoneHandling = DateTimeZoneHandling.Utc;
_settings.DateFormatHandling = DateFormatHandling.IsoDateFormat ;
}
/// <summary>
/// serialize the value in the stream.
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="stream">The stream.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
public static void JsonSerialize<T>(this Stream stream,[DisallowNull] T value)
{
stream.JsonSerialize(value,_settings);
}
/// <summary>
/// serialize the value in the file .
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="file">The file.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
public static void JsonSerialize<T>(this FileInfo file,[DisallowNull] T value)
{
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(file.DirectoryName)==true && Directory.Exists(file.DirectoryName) == false)
{
Directory.CreateDirectory(file.FullName);
}
using var s = file.OpenWrite();
s.JsonSerialize(value, _settings);
file.Refresh();
}
/// <summary>
/// serialize the value in the file .
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="file">The file.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
/// <param name="settings">the json settings to use</param>
public static void JsonSerialize<T>(this FileInfo file, [DisallowNull] T value, [DisallowNull] JsonSerializerSettings settings)
{
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(file.DirectoryName) == true && Directory.Exists(file.DirectoryName) == false)
{
Directory.CreateDirectory(file.FullName);
}
using var s = file.OpenWrite();
s.JsonSerialize(value, settings);
file.Refresh();
}
/// <summary>
/// serialize the value in the file .
/// </summary>
/// <remarks>File will be refreshed to contain the new meta data</remarks>
/// <typeparam name="T">the type to serialize</typeparam>
/// <param name="file">The file.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
/// <param name="cancellationToken">Propagates notification that operations should be canceled.</param>
public static async Task JsonSerializeAsync<T>(this FileInfo file, [DisallowNull] T value, CancellationToken cancellationToken = default)
{
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(file.DirectoryName) == true && Directory.Exists(file.DirectoryName) == false)
{
Directory.CreateDirectory(file.FullName);
}
using (var stream = file.OpenWrite())
{
await stream.JsonSerializeAsync(value, _settings,bufferSize:1024,leaveOpen:false, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
}
file.Refresh();
}
/// <summary>
/// serialize the value in the file .
/// </summary>
/// <remarks>File will be refreshed to contain the new meta data</remarks>
/// <typeparam name="T">the type to serialize</typeparam>
/// <param name="file">The file to create or overwrite.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
/// <param name="settings">the json settings to use</param>
/// <param name="cancellationToken">Propagates notification that operations should be canceled.</param>
public static async Task JsonSerializeAsync<T>(this FileInfo file, [DisallowNull] T value, [DisallowNull] JsonSerializerSettings settings, CancellationToken cancellationToken=default)
{
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(file.DirectoryName) == true && Directory.Exists(file.DirectoryName) == false)
{
Directory.CreateDirectory(file.FullName);
}
using (var stream = file.OpenWrite())
{
await stream.JsonSerializeAsync(value, settings,bufferSize:1024,leaveOpen:false, cancellationToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
}
file.Refresh();
}
/// <summary>serialize the value in the stream.</summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">the type to serialize</typeparam>
/// <param name="stream">The stream.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
/// <param name="settings">The json settings to use.</param>
/// <param name="bufferSize">The buffer size, in bytes, set -1 to not flush till done</param>
/// <param name="leaveOpen"> true to leave the stream open </param>
public static void JsonSerialize<T>(this Stream stream,[DisallowNull] T value, [DisallowNull] JsonSerializerSettings settings, int bufferSize=1024, bool leaveOpen=false)
{
using (var writer = new StreamWriter(stream,encoding: System.Text.Encoding.UTF32,bufferSize,leaveOpen))
using (var jsonWriter = new JsonTextWriter(writer))
{
var ser = JsonSerializer.Create( settings );
ser.Serialize(jsonWriter, value);
jsonWriter.Flush();
}
}
/// <summary>serialize the value in the stream asynchronously.</summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="stream">The stream.</param>
/// <param name="value">The value.</param>
/// <param name="settings">The settings.</param>
/// <param name="bufferSize">The buffer size, in bytes, set -1 to not flush till done</param>
/// <param name="leaveOpen"> true to leave the stream open </param>
/// <param name="cancellationToken">Propagates notification that operations should be canceled.</param>
public static Task JsonSerializeAsync<T>(this Stream stream,[DisallowNull] T value, [DisallowNull] JsonSerializerSettings settings, int bufferSize=1024, bool leaveOpen=false, CancellationToken cancellationToken=default)
{
using (var writer = new StreamWriter(stream,encoding: System.Text.Encoding.UTF32,bufferSize: bufferSize,leaveOpen: leaveOpen))
using (var jsonWriter = new JsonTextWriter(writer))
{
var ser = JsonSerializer.Create( settings );
ser.Serialize(jsonWriter, value);
jsonWriter.Flush();
}
return Task.CompletedTask;
}
/// <summary>
/// Determines whether [is valid json] [the specified result].
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="stream">The stream.</param>
/// <param name="result">The result.</param>
/// <returns><c>true</c> if [is valid json] [the specified result]; otherwise, <c>false</c>.</returns>
public static bool IsValidJson<T>(this Stream stream, [NotNullWhen(true)] out T? result)
{
if (stream is null)
{
throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(stream));
}
if (stream.Position != 0)
{
stream.Seek(0, SeekOrigin.Begin);
}
JsonSerializerSettings settings = (JsonConvert.DefaultSettings?.Invoke()) ?? new JsonSerializerSettings() { DateTimeZoneHandling = DateTimeZoneHandling.Utc, DateFormatHandling = DateFormatHandling.IsoDateFormat };
settings.ConstructorHandling = ConstructorHandling.AllowNonPublicDefaultConstructor;
using (var reader = new StreamReader(stream))
using (var jsonReader = new JsonTextReader(reader))
{
var ser = JsonSerializer.Create(settings);
try
{
result = ser.Deserialize<T>(jsonReader);
}
catch { result = default; }
}
return result is not null;
}
/// <summary>
/// Determines whether [is valid json] [the specified settings].
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="stream">The stream.</param>
/// <param name="settings">The settings.</param>
/// <param name="result">The result.</param>
/// <returns><c>true</c> if [is valid json] [the specified settings]; otherwise, <c>false</c>.</returns>
public static bool IsValidJson<T>(this Stream stream, JsonSerializerSettings settings, [NotNullWhen(true)] out T? result)
{
if (stream is null)
{
throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(stream));
}
if (settings is null)
{
throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(settings));
}
if (stream.Position != 0)
{
stream.Seek(0, SeekOrigin.Begin);
}
using (var reader = new StreamReader(stream))
using (var jsonReader = new JsonTextReader(reader))
{
var ser = JsonSerializer.Create(settings);
try
{
result = ser.Deserialize<T>(jsonReader);
}
catch { result = default; }
}
return result is not null;
}
/// <summary>
/// Determines whether file contains valid json using the specified settings and reads it into the output.
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">Type to convert into</typeparam>
/// <param name="file">The file.</param>
/// <param name="settings">The settings.</param>
/// <param name="result">The result.</param>
/// <returns><c>true</c> if [is valid json] [the specified settings]; otherwise, <c>false</c>.</returns>
/// <exception cref="System.ArgumentNullException">file</exception>
/// <exception cref="System.ArgumentNullException"></exception>
/// <exception cref="System.ArgumentNullException">settings</exception>
/// <exception cref="System.IO.FileNotFoundException">File could not be accessed</exception>
public static bool IsValidJson<T>(this FileInfo file, JsonSerializerSettings settings, [NotNullWhen(true)] out T? result)
{
if (file is null)
{
throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(file));
}
if (File.Exists(file.FullName) == false)
{
throw new FileNotFoundException("File could not be accessed",fileName: file.FullName);
}
using var stream = file.OpenRead();
if (stream is null)
{
throw new ArgumentNullException(message:"Could not open the file and access the underlying file stream",paramName: nameof(file));
}
if (settings is null)
{
throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(settings));
}
using (var reader = new StreamReader(stream))
using (var jsonReader = new JsonTextReader(reader))
{
var ser = JsonSerializer.Create(settings);
try
{
result = ser.Deserialize<T>(jsonReader);
}
catch { result = default; }
}
return result is not null;
}
/// <summary>
/// Determines whether file contains valid json using the specified settings and reads it into the output.
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">Type to convert into</typeparam>
/// <param name="file">The file.</param>
/// <param name="result">The result.</param>
/// <returns><c>true</c> if [is valid json] [the specified result]; otherwise, <c>false</c>.</returns>
/// <exception cref="System.ArgumentNullException">file</exception>
/// <exception cref="System.IO.FileNotFoundException">File could not be accessed</exception>
public static bool IsValidJson<T>(this FileInfo file, [NotNullWhen(true)] out T? result)
{
if (file is null)
{
throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(file));
}
if (File.Exists(file.FullName) == false)
{
throw new FileNotFoundException("File could not be accessed",fileName: file.FullName);
}
JsonSerializerSettings settings =( JsonConvert.DefaultSettings?.Invoke()) ?? new JsonSerializerSettings() { DateTimeZoneHandling= DateTimeZoneHandling.Utc, DateFormatHandling= DateFormatHandling.IsoDateFormat };
settings.ConstructorHandling = ConstructorHandling.AllowNonPublicDefaultConstructor;
return file.IsValidJson<T>(settings,out result);
}
}

XML Serializing and Deserializing List Data in Android App

So I am trying to deserialize and serialize a List.
The issue: The list(list1) is not saving to the file called "ListData" which should be created if not already there, into the documents folder in the android internal storage.
I think the file may not be creating properly or something, or the filepath is incorrect. Below is how it should be functioning but that isn't working as explained with the issue above.
I want to save the filename as something like "ListData".
Also, needs to be saved into the Internal Storage somewhere such as the Data folder of the app or Documents in internal storage.
The following is what i have for the code, but I can't seem to find any help elsewhere to fix my issue. It doesn't work, any ideas for a solution to what I want it to do?
Code:
public abstract class DataHandler
{
public static void SaveLists()
{
string filePath = Android.OS.Environment.DirectoryDocuments;
string fileName = "ListData";
XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(List<Item>));
Stream writer = new FileStream(filePath, FileMode.Create);
serializer.Serialize(writer, _LISTFROMANOTHERCLASS_);
writer.Close();
}
public static void LoadLists()
{
string filePath = Android.OS.Environment.DirectoryDocuments;
string fileName = "ListData";
XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(List<Item>));
Stream reader = new FileStream(filePath, FileMode.Open);
List<Item> list1 = new List<Item>();
list1 = (List<Item>) serializer.Deserialize(reader);
_LISTFROMANOTHERCLASS_ = list1;
reader.Close();
}
}

Hi I have written a class to do these but with JSON serlization check is it helps it uses MVVM Cross, It has code written to encrypt and decrypt data you can avoid these parts
public class PersistantStorageHelper<T>
{
IMvxFileStoreAsync _mvxFileStoreAsync;
IMvxFileStore _mvxFileStore;
EDEngine bcEngine = new EDEngine(new AesEngine(), Encoding.UTF8);
string currentkey_temp_dev = "AthulHarikumar00";//This static key is not being used it is a just a place holder
public PersistantStorageHelper() {
this._mvxFileStore = Mvx.Resolve<IMvxFileStore>();
this._mvxFileStoreAsync = Mvx.Resolve<IMvxFileStoreAsync>();
bcEngine.SetPadding(new Pkcs7Padding());
currentkey_temp_dev = Constants.PassPhrase.Substring(4, 12)+"Road";
}
/// <summary>
///
/// </summary>
/// <param name="obj"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
public async Task<T> GetPersistantObject(T obj)
{
var fileName = (typeof(T).ToString().Replace(".", "_"));
var x= await GetPersistantObject(obj, fileName);
return x;
}
/// <summary>
/// If object exists returns the object else saves a plain object and returns it
/// </summary>
/// <param name="obj">empty placeholder object</param>
/// <returns>Filesystem object</returns>
public async Task<T> GetPersistantObject( T obj,string fileName) {
List<string> files = new List<string>(_mvxFileStore.GetFilesIn(_mvxFileStore.NativePath("")));
fileName = _mvxFileStore.NativePath(fileName);
if (!files.Contains(fileName))
{
var objJson = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj);
objJson= bcEngine.Encrypt(objJson, currentkey_temp_dev);
await _mvxFileStoreAsync.WriteFileAsync(fileName,objJson);
}
else {
try
{
var temp = await _mvxFileStoreAsync.TryReadTextFileAsync(fileName);
var str = bcEngine.Decrypt(temp.Result, currentkey_temp_dev);
obj = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<T>(str);
}
catch(Exception e) {
var objJson = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj);
objJson = bcEngine.Encrypt(objJson, currentkey_temp_dev);
await _mvxFileStoreAsync.WriteFileAsync(fileName, objJson);
}
}
return obj;
}
/// <summary>
///
/// </summary>
/// <param name="obj"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
public async Task<T> SetPersistantObject(T obj)
{
var fileName = _mvxFileStore.NativePath(typeof(T).ToString().Replace(".", "_"));
var temp = await SetPersistantObject(obj, fileName);
return temp;
}
/// <summary>
/// Saves object to persistant storage with encryption
/// </summary>
/// <param name="obj">object to be stored</param>
/// <returns>Saved object</returns>
public async Task<T> SetPersistantObject(T obj,string fileName)
{
List<string> files = new List<string>(_mvxFileStore.GetFilesIn(_mvxFileStore.NativePath("")));
fileName = _mvxFileStore.NativePath(fileName);
var objJson = Newtonsoft.Json.JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj);
objJson = bcEngine.Encrypt(objJson, currentkey_temp_dev);
await _mvxFileStoreAsync.WriteFileAsync(fileName, objJson);
return obj;
}
}

java.util.List is not serializable, but java.util.ArrayList is. So just change List to ArrayList on both sites (left before variablename and right for constructor). Also check if your Item implements Serializable

Objects to/from XML: generic Load and Save [duplicate]

This question already has answers here:
How to save/restore serializable object to/from file?
(6 answers)
Closed 8 years ago.
I need to store some objects as XML files in order to save data and load it later.
I coded this and it works for me:
public static Project Load(String file)
{
using (var stream = System.IO.File.OpenRead(file))
{
var serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(Project));
return serializer.Deserialize(stream) as Project;
}
}
public static void Save(Project p, String file)
{
using (var writer = new System.IO.StreamWriter(file))
{
var serializer = new XmlSerializer(p.GetType());
serializer.Serialize(writer, p);
writer.Flush();
}
}
Now, I need to do this with other kind of objects and I don't really want to copy/paste these methods for every object class.
Is possible to pass the object class to methods and make these methods generic for any object class?

i usually use this both methods from https://stackoverflow.com/a/271423/1315444
hope this helps :D
/// <summary>Serializes an object of type T in to an xml string</summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">Any class type</typeparam>
/// <param name="obj">Object to serialize</param>
/// <returns>A string that represents Xml, empty otherwise</returns>
public static string XmlSerialize<T>(this T obj) where T : class, new()
{
if (obj == null) throw new ArgumentNullException("obj");
var serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(T));
using (var writer = new StringWriter())
{
serializer.Serialize(writer, obj);
return writer.ToString();
}
}
/// <summary>Deserializes an xml string in to an object of Type T</summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">Any class type</typeparam>
/// <param name="xml">Xml as string to deserialize from</param>
/// <returns>A new object of type T is successful, null if failed</returns>
public static T XmlDeserialize<T>(this string xml) where T : class, new()
{
if (xml == null) throw new ArgumentNullException("xml");
var serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(T));
using (var reader = new StringReader(xml))
{
try { return (T)serializer.Deserialize(reader); }
catch { return null; } // Could not be deserialized to this type.
}
}
then you can go with
Project p = new Project();
string result = p.XmlSerialize();
Project p2 = result.XmlDeserialize<Project>();

How to serialize a dictionary to a file and deserialize it later in C#? [duplicate]

I have a list of objects and I need to save that somewhere in my computer. I have read some forums and I know that the object has to be Serializable. But it would be nice if I can get an example. For example if I have the following:
[Serializable]
public class SomeClass
{
public string someProperty { get; set; }
}
SomeClass object1 = new SomeClass { someProperty = "someString" };
But how can I store object1 somewhere in my computer and later retrieve?

I just wrote a blog post on saving an object's data to Binary, XML, or Json. You are correct that you must decorate your classes with the [Serializable] attribute, but only if you are using Binary serialization. You may prefer to use XML or Json serialization. Here are the functions to do it in the various formats. See my blog post for more details.
Binary
/// <summary>
/// Writes the given object instance to a binary file.
/// <para>Object type (and all child types) must be decorated with the [Serializable] attribute.</para>
/// <para>To prevent a variable from being serialized, decorate it with the [NonSerialized] attribute; cannot be applied to properties.</para>
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">The type of object being written to the binary file.</typeparam>
/// <param name="filePath">The file path to write the object instance to.</param>
/// <param name="objectToWrite">The object instance to write to the binary file.</param>
/// <param name="append">If false the file will be overwritten if it already exists. If true the contents will be appended to the file.</param>
public static void WriteToBinaryFile<T>(string filePath, T objectToWrite, bool append = false)
{
using (Stream stream = File.Open(filePath, append ? FileMode.Append : FileMode.Create))
{
var binaryFormatter = new System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.BinaryFormatter();
binaryFormatter.Serialize(stream, objectToWrite);
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Reads an object instance from a binary file.
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">The type of object to read from the binary file.</typeparam>
/// <param name="filePath">The file path to read the object instance from.</param>
/// <returns>Returns a new instance of the object read from the binary file.</returns>
public static T ReadFromBinaryFile<T>(string filePath)
{
using (Stream stream = File.Open(filePath, FileMode.Open))
{
var binaryFormatter = new System.Runtime.Serialization.Formatters.Binary.BinaryFormatter();
return (T)binaryFormatter.Deserialize(stream);
}
}
XML
Requires the System.Xml assembly to be included in your project.
/// <summary>
/// Writes the given object instance to an XML file.
/// <para>Only Public properties and variables will be written to the file. These can be any type though, even other classes.</para>
/// <para>If there are public properties/variables that you do not want written to the file, decorate them with the [XmlIgnore] attribute.</para>
/// <para>Object type must have a parameterless constructor.</para>
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">The type of object being written to the file.</typeparam>
/// <param name="filePath">The file path to write the object instance to.</param>
/// <param name="objectToWrite">The object instance to write to the file.</param>
/// <param name="append">If false the file will be overwritten if it already exists. If true the contents will be appended to the file.</param>
public static void WriteToXmlFile<T>(string filePath, T objectToWrite, bool append = false) where T : new()
{
TextWriter writer = null;
try
{
var serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(T));
writer = new StreamWriter(filePath, append);
serializer.Serialize(writer, objectToWrite);
}
finally
{
if (writer != null)
writer.Close();
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Reads an object instance from an XML file.
/// <para>Object type must have a parameterless constructor.</para>
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">The type of object to read from the file.</typeparam>
/// <param name="filePath">The file path to read the object instance from.</param>
/// <returns>Returns a new instance of the object read from the XML file.</returns>
public static T ReadFromXmlFile<T>(string filePath) where T : new()
{
TextReader reader = null;
try
{
var serializer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(T));
reader = new StreamReader(filePath);
return (T)serializer.Deserialize(reader);
}
finally
{
if (reader != null)
reader.Close();
}
}
Json
You must include a reference to Newtonsoft.Json assembly, which can be obtained from the Json.NET NuGet Package.
/// <summary>
/// Writes the given object instance to a Json file.
/// <para>Object type must have a parameterless constructor.</para>
/// <para>Only Public properties and variables will be written to the file. These can be any type though, even other classes.</para>
/// <para>If there are public properties/variables that you do not want written to the file, decorate them with the [JsonIgnore] attribute.</para>
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">The type of object being written to the file.</typeparam>
/// <param name="filePath">The file path to write the object instance to.</param>
/// <param name="objectToWrite">The object instance to write to the file.</param>
/// <param name="append">If false the file will be overwritten if it already exists. If true the contents will be appended to the file.</param>
public static void WriteToJsonFile<T>(string filePath, T objectToWrite, bool append = false) where T : new()
{
TextWriter writer = null;
try
{
var contentsToWriteToFile = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(objectToWrite);
writer = new StreamWriter(filePath, append);
writer.Write(contentsToWriteToFile);
}
finally
{
if (writer != null)
writer.Close();
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Reads an object instance from an Json file.
/// <para>Object type must have a parameterless constructor.</para>
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T">The type of object to read from the file.</typeparam>
/// <param name="filePath">The file path to read the object instance from.</param>
/// <returns>Returns a new instance of the object read from the Json file.</returns>
public static T ReadFromJsonFile<T>(string filePath) where T : new()
{
TextReader reader = null;
try
{
reader = new StreamReader(filePath);
var fileContents = reader.ReadToEnd();
return JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<T>(fileContents);
}
finally
{
if (reader != null)
reader.Close();
}
}
Example
// Write the contents of the variable someClass to a file.
WriteToBinaryFile<SomeClass>("C:\someClass.txt", object1);
// Read the file contents back into a variable.
SomeClass object1= ReadFromBinaryFile<SomeClass>("C:\someClass.txt");

You can use the following:
/// <summary>
/// Serializes an object.
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="serializableObject"></param>
/// <param name="fileName"></param>
public void SerializeObject<T>(T serializableObject, string fileName)
{
if (serializableObject == null) { return; }
try
{
XmlDocument xmlDocument = new XmlDocument();
XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer(serializableObject.GetType());
using (MemoryStream stream = new MemoryStream())
{
serializer.Serialize(stream, serializableObject);
stream.Position = 0;
xmlDocument.Load(stream);
xmlDocument.Save(fileName);
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
//Log exception here
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Deserializes an xml file into an object list
/// </summary>
/// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
/// <param name="fileName"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
public T DeSerializeObject<T>(string fileName)
{
if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(fileName)) { return default(T); }
T objectOut = default(T);
try
{
XmlDocument xmlDocument = new XmlDocument();
xmlDocument.Load(fileName);
string xmlString = xmlDocument.OuterXml;
using (StringReader read = new StringReader(xmlString))
{
Type outType = typeof(T);
XmlSerializer serializer = new XmlSerializer(outType);
using (XmlReader reader = new XmlTextReader(read))
{
objectOut = (T)serializer.Deserialize(reader);
}
}
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
//Log exception here
}
return objectOut;
}

You'll need to serialize to something: that is, pick binary, or xml (for default serializers) or write custom serialization code to serialize to some other text form.
Once you've picked that, your serialization will (normally) call a Stream that is writing to some kind of file.
So, with your code, if I were using XML Serialization:
var path = #"C:\Test\myserializationtest.xml";
using(FileStream fs = new FileStream(path, FileMode.Create))
{
XmlSerializer xSer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(SomeClass));
xSer.Serialize(fs, serializableObject);
}
Then, to deserialize:
using(FileStream fs = new FileStream(path, FileMode.Open)) //double check that...
{
XmlSerializer _xSer = new XmlSerializer(typeof(SomeClass));
var myObject = _xSer.Deserialize(fs);
}
NOTE: This code hasn't been compiled, let alone run- there may be some errors. Also, this assumes completely out-of-the-box serialization/deserialization. If you need custom behavior, you'll need to do additional work.

1. Restore Object From File
From Here you can deserialize an object from file in two way.
Solution-1: Read file into a string and deserialize JSON to a type
string json = File.ReadAllText(#"c:\myObj.json");
MyObject myObj = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<MyObject>(json);
Solution-2: Deserialize JSON directly from a file
using (StreamReader file = File.OpenText(#"c:\myObj.json"))
{
JsonSerializer serializer = new JsonSerializer();
MyObject myObj2 = (MyObject)serializer.Deserialize(file, typeof(MyObject));
}
2. Save Object To File
from here you can serialize an object to file in two way.
Solution-1: Serialize JSON to a string and then write string to a file
string json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(myObj);
File.WriteAllText(#"c:\myObj.json", json);
Solution-2: Serialize JSON directly to a file
using (StreamWriter file = File.CreateText(#"c:\myObj.json"))
{
JsonSerializer serializer = new JsonSerializer();
serializer.Serialize(file, myObj);
}
3. Extra
You can download Newtonsoft.Json from NuGet by following command
Install-Package Newtonsoft.Json

You can use JsonConvert from Newtonsoft library.
To serialize an object and write to a file in json format:
File.WriteAllText(filePath, JsonConvert.SerializeObject(obj));
And to deserialize it back into object:
var obj = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<ObjType>(File.ReadAllText(filePath));

**1. Convert the json string to base64string and Write or append it to binary file.
2. Read base64string from binary file and deserialize using BsonReader.
**
public static class BinaryJson
{
public static string SerializeToBase64String(this object obj)
{
JsonSerializer jsonSerializer = new JsonSerializer();
MemoryStream objBsonMemoryStream = new MemoryStream();
using (BsonWriter bsonWriterObject = new BsonWriter(objBsonMemoryStream))
{
jsonSerializer.Serialize(bsonWriterObject, obj);
return Convert.ToBase64String(objBsonMemoryStream.ToArray());
}
//return Encoding.ASCII.GetString(objBsonMemoryStream.ToArray());
}
public static T DeserializeToObject<T>(this string base64String)
{
byte[] data = Convert.FromBase64String(base64String);
MemoryStream ms = new MemoryStream(data);
using (BsonReader reader = new BsonReader(ms))
{
JsonSerializer serializer = new JsonSerializer();
return serializer.Deserialize<T>(reader);
}
}
}

Translate Service Call Object Back to the Original Object

I have an object exposed through a web service that is consumed by another system. That system also uses that same WSDL to return back an object on demand to us. I was wondering if it was possible to take that same object and relay it back to a the original object?
I tried to do the following and it wouldn't actually cast it back with the object populated... Any help would be great!
Thank you!
Note The method code listed below was based off of http://www.dotnetjohn.com/articles.aspx?articleid=173
public void ConvertBack()
{
ThirdParty.Animal animal;
using (var svc = new ThirdPartySoapClient())
thirdPartyAnimal = svc.GetAnimal("Identifier");
var xml = SerializeObject(thirdPartyAnimal, typeof(ThirdParty.Animal));
var originalAnimal = (OriginalNamespace.Animal)DeserializeObject(xml, typeof(OrginalNamespace.Animal));
Assert.AreEqual(originalAnimal.Name, animal.Name);
}
/// <summary>
/// Method to convert a custom Object to XML string
/// </summary>
/// <param name="pObject">Object that is to be serialized to XML</param>
/// <param name="typeOfObject">typeof() object that is being passed to be serialized to XML</param>
/// <returns>XML string</returns>
public string SerializeObject(object pObject, Type typeOfObject)
{
try
{
var memoryStream = new MemoryStream();
var xs = new XmlSerializer(typeOfObject);
var xmlTextWriter = new XmlTextWriter(memoryStream, Encoding.UTF8);
xs.Serialize(xmlTextWriter, pObject);
memoryStream = (MemoryStream) xmlTextWriter.BaseStream;
var xmlizedString = UTF8ByteArrayToString(memoryStream.ToArray());
return xmlizedString;
}
catch (Exception e)
{
Console.WriteLine(e);
return null;
}
}
/// <summary>
/// Method to reconstruct an Object from XML string
/// </summary>
/// <param name="pXmlizedString">XML To Be Converted to an Object</param>
/// <param name="typeOfObject">typeof() object that is being passed to be serialized to XML</param>
/// <returns></returns>
public object DeserializeObject(string pXmlizedString, Type typeOfObject)
{
var xs = new XmlSerializer(typeOfObject);
var memoryStream = new MemoryStream(StringToUTF8ByteArray(pXmlizedString));
new XmlTextWriter(memoryStream, Encoding.UTF8);
return xs.Deserialize(memoryStream);
}
/// <summary>
/// To convert a Byte Array of Unicode values (UTF-8 encoded) to a complete String.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="characters">Unicode Byte Array to be converted to String</param>
/// <returns>String converted from Unicode Byte Array</returns>
private static string UTF8ByteArrayToString(Byte[] characters)
{
var encoding = new UTF8Encoding();
var constructedString = encoding.GetString(characters);
return (constructedString);
}
/// <summary>
/// Converts the String to UTF8 Byte array and is used in De serialization
/// </summary>
/// <param name="pXmlString"></param>
/// <returns></returns>
private static Byte[] StringToUTF8ByteArray(string pXmlString)
{
var encoding = new UTF8Encoding();
var byteArray = encoding.GetBytes(pXmlString);
return byteArray;
}

When generating the proxy from WSDL there is an option called "/sharetypes" which should solve this problem
You can use it from the command line tools or in the options area of the "Add Web Service" dialogs