How to create JSON string in C#

Solution 1:

Using Newtonsoft.Json makes it really easier:

Product product = new Product();
product.Name = "Apple";
product.Expiry = new DateTime(2008, 12, 28);
product.Price = 3.99M;
product.Sizes = new string[] { "Small", "Medium", "Large" };

string json = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(product);

Documentation: Serializing and Deserializing JSON

Solution 2:

You could use the JavaScriptSerializer class, check this article to build an useful extension method.

Code from article:

namespace ExtensionMethods
{
    public static class JSONHelper
    {
        public static string ToJSON(this object obj)
        {
            JavaScriptSerializer serializer = new JavaScriptSerializer();
            return serializer.Serialize(obj);
        }

        public static string ToJSON(this object obj, int recursionDepth)
        {
            JavaScriptSerializer serializer = new JavaScriptSerializer();
            serializer.RecursionLimit = recursionDepth;
            return serializer.Serialize(obj);
        }
    }
}

Usage:

using ExtensionMethods;

...

List<Person> people = new List<Person>{
                   new Person{ID = 1, FirstName = "Scott", LastName = "Gurthie"},
                   new Person{ID = 2, FirstName = "Bill", LastName = "Gates"}
                   };


string jsonString = people.ToJSON();