[c#] converting list to json format - quick and easy way

Let's say I have an object MyObject that looks like this:

public class MyObject
{
  int ObjectID {get;set;}
  string ObjectString {get;set;}
} 

I have a list of MyObject and I'm looking to convert it in a json string with a stringbuilder. I know how to create a JavascriptConverter and create a json string by passing a list and having the converter build the string but in this particular case I'm looking to avoid the overhead and go straight to a json string with a foreach loop on the list like this:

StringBuilder JsonString = new StringBuilder();

foreach(MyObject TheObject in ListOfMyObject)
{

}

I've tried to use this method by appending with commas and quotes but it hasn't worked out (yet).

Thanks for your suggestions.

I prefer using linq-to-json feature of JSON.NET framework. Here's how you can serialize a list of your objects to json.

List<MyObject> list = new List<MyObject>();

Func<MyObject, JObject> objToJson =
    o => new JObject(
            new JProperty("ObjectId", o.ObjectId), 
            new JProperty("ObjectString", o.ObjectString));

string result = new JObject(new JArray(list.Select(objToJson))).ToString();

You fully control what will be in the result json string and you clearly see it just looking at the code. Surely, you can get rid of Func<T1, T2> declaration and specify this code directly in the new JArray() invocation but with this code extracted to Func<> it looks much more clearer what is going on and how you actually transform your object to json. You can even store your Func<> outside this method in some sort of setup method (i.e. in constructor).

I would avoid rolling your own and use either:

System.Web.Script.JavascriptSerializer

or

JSON.net

Both will do an excellent job :)

3 years of experience later, I've come back to this question and would suggest to write it like this:

string output = new JavaScriptSerializer().Serialize(ListOfMyObject);

One line of code.

why reinvent the wheel? use microsoft's json serialize or a 3rd party library such as json.NET

For me, it worked to use Newtonsoft.Json:

using Newtonsoft.Json;
// ...
var output = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(ListOfMyObject);

You could return the value using return JsonConvert.SerializeObject(objName); And send it to the front end

If you are using WebApi, HttpResponseMessage is a more elegant way to do it

public HttpResponseMessage Get()
{
    return Request.CreateResponse(HttpStatusCode.OK, ListOfMyObject);
}