Question

I am using Json.NET to serialize an object to be sent to a compact framework 3.5 device (lucky me).

My class on the compact device is:

public class Specification
{
        public Guid Id { get; set; }
        public String Name { get; set; }
        public String Instructions { get; set; }
}

The Json being returned sent to the device is (notice the null for instructions):

string json = @"{""Name"":""Test"",""Instructions"":null,""Id"":""093a886b-8ed4-48f0-abac-013f917cfd6a""}"; 

…and the method being used to deserialize the json is…

var result = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<Specification>(json);

On the server I’m using the following to create the Json:

var serializer = new JsonSerializer();
serializer.Formatting = Formatting.None;
serializer.Serialize(context.HttpContext.Response.Output, this.Data);

The problem is that on the compact framework, it’s failing to put a value into result.Instructions which is causing a null reference when it is referenced later in the code.

I’m using Newtonsoft.Json.Compact v3.5.0.0 (I think that’s the latest version), and on the server I’m using Newtonsoft.Json 4.5.0.0.

Question

How can I either:

a) Change the server code to stick a “” instead of a null value in where a string is null.

or

b) Change the compact framework code to be able to handle null value strings.

Things I’ve tried

I’ve been looking through the documentation/examples of Json.Net and have tried a multitude of things like a implementing a DefaultContractResolver, and a custom JsonContract. Maybe the answer lies within those but my lack of understanding of Json.Net at this level isn’t helping!!

Further info

I was using System.Runtime.Serialization.Json.DataContractJsonSerializer for the server side serialisation, which did generated quotes in the event of empty strings. Unfortunately, I need more flexibility with the serialization which is why I’ve started using Json.Net.

Any hints/tips appreciated.

Answer 1

OK – no answers, but having search all yesterday afternoon I went to bed, and search again this morning to find: Serializing null in JSON.NET, which pretty much answers my question.