Object array to byte array

Question

I have a Listof objects that I would like to convert to a byte[]

My List is defined like this:

List<object> objects = new List<object>
{
     "obj1", "obj2", "obj2"
};

Is it possible to convert this list to a byte[] in some clean way? The list only contains base64 strings

All help is appreciated

What do you mean by "clean"? Have you considered using one of the serialization mechanisms that the .NET framework provides, e.g. binary or SOAP formatting? — Mark Byers
– Mark Byers, Commented Mar 19, 2012 at 18:08

Chris Shain · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-19 18:15:40Z

4

Piece of cake:

objects.Select(s => Convert.FromBase64String(s)).SelectMany(i => i).ToArray();

If objects is really a List<Object> as @AustinSalonen points out, as opposed to a List<String>, you need to make sure that you only have strings first:

objects.OfType<String>().Select(s => Convert.FromBase64String(s)).SelectMany(i => i).ToArray();

or cast:

objects.Cast<String>().Select(s => Convert.FromBase64String(s)).SelectMany(i => i).ToArray();

edited Mar 19, 2012 at 18:15

answered Mar 19, 2012 at 18:07

Chris Shain

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7 Comments

Erik Larsson Over a year ago

Thanks for your answer. Yes I would like all of the data into one big array.

Erik Larsson Over a year ago

Thank your very much. I have one last question, what about if the items in the last arent base64 string? If it isn't much truble I would like to se a solution for non base64 items. Is it possible?

Chris Shain Over a year ago

If not base-64 then what are they? Your original question very specifically stated "The list only contains base64 strings"

Erik Larsson Over a year ago

Very sorry for the confusion. The items could be normal strings.

Chris Shain Over a year ago

What format should be used for converting them into bytes? UTF-8? ASCII? Base-64 has special meaning- it means that the characters are an encoded representation of a specific sequence of bytes. ASCII means something else. UTF-8 (typically called unicode) means something else again. You need to be specific.

|

D Stanley · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-19 18:09:23Z

1

This should work for strings:

System.Text.Encoding enc = System.Text.Encoding.ASCII;  // Choose the right encoding here
List<byte[]> list = objects.Select(o=>enc.GetBytes(o.ToString()).ToList();

answered Mar 19, 2012 at 18:09

D Stanley

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