Creating a Custom Object Hierarchy from JSON in C#

Описание: Learn how to convert a JSON folder structure into a custom object hierarchy in C# using LINQ and JSON.NET.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/62705096/ asked by the user 'HippoDuck' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/2924019/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/62706389/ provided by the user 'Mohammed Sajid' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1745795/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Transforming JSON into a Custom Object Hierarchy in C#

In the realm of programming, developers often encounter challenges that involve the transformation of data formats. One such challenge is converting a JSON structure into a custom object hierarchy, particularly when dealing with complex relationships like parent-child hierarchies. If you've ever needed to build a folder structure from a given JSON input, this guide is for you!

Understanding the Problem

You have a JSON array that defines a hierarchical structure where each object represents a folder, along with its unique ID, name, and a reference to its parent. The goal is to represent this structure in a more organized way using custom C# objects.

Consider the following example of JSON representing folders:

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This structure represents a root folder that contains subfolders, which in turn contain more subfolders. Your task is to transform this flat JSON array into a nested hierarchy of objects.

The Solution

Step 1: Define the Classes

Begin by defining the classes that will represent your custom object structure:

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Step 2: Deserialize JSON

Next, you'll deserialize the provided JSON string into your defined classes:

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Step 3: Construct the Parent Object

Locate the root folder (the one with no parent) and construct your main parent object:

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Step 4: Group Children by Parent ID

Utilizing LINQ, group the ClioFolder objects by their parent IDs for easier processing:

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Step 5: Recursively Add Children

Create a recursive method to traverse the grouped children and build the hierarchy:

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Step 6: Serialize and Output the Result

Finally, serialize the allClioParent object back to JSON to check your nested structure:

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Conclusion

Using the outlined steps, you will be able to transform a JSON array into a structured object hierarchy in C# . By leveraging LINQ, JSON.NET, and recursion, this approach efficiently builds a nested structure that mirrors your data's relationships. Whether handling 18,000+ objects or creating a simpler tree structure, this method is scalable and robust.

Feel free to modify the approach to your specific needs, and happy coding!