How to Deserialize Complex JSON Objects into a Strongly-Typed List in an ASP.NET MVC Controller?

Deserializing Complex Objects with JSON and jQuery in an ASP.NET MVC Controller

In ASP.NET MVC, deserializing complex objects from JSON can be a challenge. This question addresses this issue, where the user attempts to pass an array of complex objects from jQuery to a controller action.

To address this, the solution leverages the [JsonFilter](https://web.archive.org/web/20120313075719/http://www.asp.net/web-api/overview/advanced/sending-and-receiving-json-in-aspnet-web-api) custom attribute. This attribute deserializes the JSON request into the appropriate type and binds it to an action parameter.

Updated View Code

// Serialize the results into a JSON object
var postData = { widgets: results };

// Send the JSON data to the controller
$.ajax({
    url: '/portal/Designer.mvc/SaveOrUpdate',
    type: 'POST',
    dataType: 'json',
    data: $.toJSON(widgets),
    contentType: 'application/json; charset=utf-8',
    success: function(result) {
        alert(result.Result);
    }
});

Modified Controller Code

[JsonFilter(Param = "widgets", JsonDataType = typeof(List<PageDesignWidget>))]
public JsonResult SaveOrUpdate(List<PageDesignWidget> widgets)
{
    // ... code to handle the updated widgets ...
}

Custom JsonFilter Attribute

public class JsonFilter : ActionFilterAttribute
{
    public string Param { get; set; }
    public Type JsonDataType { get; set; }
    public override void OnActionExecuting(ActionExecutingContext filterContext)
    {
        if (filterContext.HttpContext.Request.ContentType.Contains("application/json"))
        {
            string inputContent;
            using (var sr = new StreamReader(filterContext.HttpContext.Request.InputStream))
            {
                inputContent = sr.ReadToEnd();
            }
            var result = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject(inputContent, JsonDataType);
            filterContext.ActionParameters[Param] = result;
        }
    }
}

This solution effectively deserializes the JSON array into a strongly-typed list within the controller, enabling the developer to manipulate complex objects with ease.

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