How to deserialize with JSON.Net where the same type is given different names

Question

I'm having to process 3rd party json data. I'm trying to use JSON.Net, but I'm struggling a little as, in the data, the same type is given a different name every time. See example below.

{
   "success":"1",
   "return":{
      "Mike":{
         "name":"Mike",
         "age":"21",
         "hobbies":[
            {
               "name":"sailing"
            },
            {
               "name":"volleyball"
            }
         ]
      }
   }
}

Here you can see that - in this made up example to illustrate the situation - basically a person object is returned, but it is called "Mike" not person. The next might be called "Sheryl", etc. I would like to just deserialise the whole thing in one go using: var deserialized = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(jsonString);

However I'm not sure how to build x as it can vary.

I've looked at JsonConverter, but I can't see how that would help in this situation.

Any guidance is much appreciated.

Consider: [JsonProperty("return")] Dictionary<string, PersonInfo> Result { get; set; } (the Keys in the dictionary will represent the "Mike" or "Sheryl"). However, I suspect that the server is just returning less-than-ideal information, it should likely be a List (the name is already present in the information), not a Dictionary :| — user2864740
– user2864740, Commented Feb 8, 2014 at 20:42
Thanks for the suggestion @user2864740. I'll look into that too. I've gone with L.B's answer for the minute as it works great. Thanks once again though. — Steven Wilber
– Steven Wilber, Commented Feb 8, 2014 at 21:36

L.B · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-08 20:43:55Z

3

Use Dictionary<string,Person> for property Return

var obj = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<YourObject>(json);

public class Hobby
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
}

public class Person
{
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public string Age { get; set; }
    public List<Hobby> Hobbies { get; set; }
}


public class YourObject
{
    public string Success { get; set; }
    public Dictionary<string,Person>  Return { get; set; }
}

answered Feb 8, 2014 at 20:43

L.B

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2 Comments

Steven Wilber Over a year ago

Wow! Just that simple. Let me quickly try it out. Thanks for the quick response by the way - that's excellent.

Steven Wilber Over a year ago

Oh my god! That totally works. Why have I been beating myself up for the last several days over this. Thank you so much.

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