How do I get JSON data in a plain c# program from a ASP.net MVC program?

Question

I am a newbie in asp.net MVC. I want to create a plain c# client program that consumes json returned from a asp.net mvc progam. What is the best method for retrieving the json data from the asp.net MVC site? I currently use WebRequst, WebResponse and StreamReader to retrieve the data. Is this a good method, otherwise what is the best practice to get the data? Can I use something like below? Thanks a lot

    WebRequest request = HttpWebRequest.Create(url);
    WebResponse response = request.GetResponse();  
    StreamReader reader = new StreamReader(response.GetResponseStream());
    string urlText = reader.ReadToEnd();
    //Then parse the urlText to json object

My question is if it is ok to use WebRequst, WebResponse and StreamReader to get json data from a asp.net MVC program. Thanks — c830
– c830, Commented Oct 28, 2011 at 14:44
Without using WCF, then WebRequest would fine and is in fact the only option available to you. — Simon Halsey
– Simon Halsey, Commented Oct 28, 2011 at 15:17
As Simon stated its pretty much your only option. You could look at the newer wcf web api classes such as HttpClient that may make a little more sense to you. nuget.org/List/Packages/WebApi.All — ElvisLives
– ElvisLives, Commented Oct 28, 2011 at 17:11

Icarus · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-28 14:41:08Z

4

You don't parse the text to JSON object on server side because JSON is Javascript Object Notation and C# knows nothing about that. You parse the JSON string to a specific type. For example:

string json = {"Name":"John Smith","Age":34};

Can be deserialized to a C# class Person as so:

public class Person
{
   public string Name {get;set;}
   public int Age {get;set;}
}

JavascriptSerializer js= new JavascriptSerializer();
Person john=js.Desearialize<Person>(json);

answered Oct 28, 2011 at 14:41

Icarus

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2 Comments

c830 Over a year ago

That's what I am looking for. But Part of my question is if it is ok to use WebRequst, WebResponse and StreamReader to get json data from a asp.net MVC program or there is some other practice. Thanks for your time

Icarus Over a year ago

@user394128 I don't see why not. The bottom line is that if you get get a json string on your http response you should be able to construct your objects from that json string using the Javascript Serializer.

J.P. · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-28 14:43:44Z

3

You can use the JavaScriptSerializer class:

var js = new JavaScriptSerializer();
var person = js.Deserialize<Person>(urlText);

Person, of course, should be replaced by your own .NET type. Here's also an article that might help you.

answered Oct 28, 2011 at 14:43

J.P.

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Comments

Craig Stuntz · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-28 14:38:47Z

2

Well, one way is:

var dictionary = new JavaScriptSerializer().Deserialize<Dictionary<string, object>>(urlText);

You can use different types than a dictionary, but whether you should depends on why you're actually doing this.

answered Oct 28, 2011 at 14:38

Craig Stuntz

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