[c#] Cannot find JavaScriptSerializer in .Net 4.0

I cannot seem to find the JavaScriptSerializer object nor the the System.Web.Script.Serialization namespace within Visual Studio 2010. I need to serialize something to JSON what am I supposed to use?

And yes, I already included the System.Web.Extensions (in System.Web.Extensions.dll) within the project. Which is why I am shocked?

  • I do know System.Web.Extensions was marked as obsolete in 3.5

This question is related to c# visual-studio jsonserializer

The answer is


This is how to get JavaScriptSerializer available in your application, targetting .NET 4.0 (full)

using System.Web.Script.Serialization;

This should allow you to create a new JavaScriptSerializer object!


using System.Web.Script.Serialization; 

is in assembly : System.Web.Extensions (System.Web.Extensions.dll)


Did you include a reference to System.Web.Extensions? If you click on your first link it says which assembly it's in.


Are you targeting the .NET 4 framework or the .NET 4 Client Profile?

If you're targeting the latter, you won't find that class. You also may be missing a reference, likely to an extensions dll.


I'm using Visual Studio 2015 and finally ran across this post.

Yes in order to use

JavaScriptSerializer json = new JavaScriptSerializer();

You must right click on references and under Assemblies --> Framework choose

System.Web.Extensions

Then add in your reference

using System.Web.Script.Serialization;

For those who seem to be following the answers above but still have the problem (e.g., see the first comment on the poster's question):

You are probably working in a solution with many projects. The project you appear to be working in references other projects, but you are actually modifying a file from one of the other projects. For example:

  • project A references System.Web.Extensions
  • project A references project B

But if the file you are modifying to use System.Web.Script.Serialization is in project B, then you will need to add a reference to System.Web.Extension in project B as well.


Just so you know, I am using Visual Studio 2013 and have had the same problem until I used the Project Properties to switch to 3.5 framework and back to 4.5. This for some reason registered the .dll properly and I could use the System.Web.Extensions.

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From the first search result on google:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.web.script.serialization.javascriptserializer.aspx

JavaScriptSerializer Class

Provides serialization and deserialization functionality for AJAX-enabled applications.

Inheritance Hierarchy

System.Object

System.Web.Script.Serialization.JavaScriptSerializer

Namespace: System.Web.Script.Serialization

Assembly: System.Web.Extensions (in System.Web.Extensions.dll)

So, include System.Web.Extensions.dll as a reference.


You have to add the reference to the project.

In Assemblies, there is a System.Web.Extensions Add that.

Once that is done put:

    using System.Web;
    using System.Web.Script;
    using System.Web.Script.Serialization;

That worked for me.


You can use another option which is the Newtonsoft.Json, you can install it from NuGet Package Manager.

Tools >> Nuget Package Manager >> Package Manager Console by issuing command

Install-Package Newtonsoft.Json

or

by using the GUI at Tools >> Nuget Package Manager >> Manage NuGet Packages for Solution...

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  1. Right click References and do Add Reference, then from Assemblies->Framework select System.Web.Extensions.
  2. Now you should be able to add the following to your class file:
    using System.Web.Script.Serialization;