Parse every element of JSON to Array in Java

Question

JAVA

I want to parse every element of JSON file (using gson will be the best) to Array. I searched for two days and I still can't figure out how to do it correctly. My JSON file looks like this:

{
  "spawn1": {
    "x": 336.4962312645427,
    "y": 81.0,
    "z": -259.029426052796
  },
  "spawn2": {
    "x": 341.11558917719424,
    "y": 80.0,
    "z": -246.07415114625
  }
}

There will be more and more elements with different names. What I need is to take all the elements like x, y, z and create an object using it and place it to the array. Class for this object looks like this:

public class Chest {
  private double x, y, z;

  public Chest(double x, double y, double z) {
    this.x = x;
    this.y = y;
    this.z = z;
  }
}

It would be better if you specify what programming language you are using? Is it C#? — CoyBit, Mar 21 '18 at 12:17
Your data is a JSON object with keys "spawn1" and "spawn2". How do you want it to be converted? An array of `Chest` objects ignoring the keys? — Dakshinamurthy Karra, Mar 21 '18 at 12:24
Umm. Yea, I don't need those names in my object. The only thing I will be using are coordinates. — Norbox, Mar 21 '18 at 12:27
Possible duplicate of [How to parse JSON in Java](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2591098/how-to-parse-json-in-java) — AxelH, Mar 21 '18 at 12:34
You know `GSON` but don't have tried to implement this, why ? — AxelH, Mar 21 '18 at 12:34

Ben · Answer 1 · 2018-03-21T12:45:17.417

1

With the class you are currently using it is not going to work.

Your JSON String currently wants 2 classes that look like this:

public class ClassOne
{
    ClassTwo spawn1;
    ClassTwo spawn2;
}

public class ClassTwo
{
    double x;
    double y;
    double z;
}

So you need to either change your JSON or your class structure.

edit

If you want the class you are currently using you need a JSON string of this form:

[
  {
    "x": 1.0,
    "y": 2.0,
    "z": 3.0
  },
  {
    "x": 4.0,
    "y": 5.0,
    "z": 6.0
  }
]

If you want to maintain your spawn1 and spawn2 field add a String field to your class and use a JSON String like this (here the field has the name name):

[
  {
    "name": "spawn1",
    "x": 1.0,
    "y": 2.0,
    "z": 3.0
  },
  {
    "name": "spawn2",
    "x": 4.0,
    "y": 5.0,
    "z": 6.0
  }
]

Both of these return an Chest[] when you convert them from JSON.

edited Mar 21 '18 at 12:45

answered Mar 21 '18 at 12:37

Ben

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"_What I need is to take all the elements like x, y, z and create an object using it and place it to the array_" – AxelH Mar 21 '18 at 12:39
@AxelH I totally understand that this is what he wants but this is not what his JSON is corresponding to. From the JSON String he has he will not ever get that without a custom loader. So "either change your JSON or your class structure". – Ben Mar 21 '18 at 12:41
But as I said, there will be more objects like spawn1 and spawn2 so creating class for each one is not very good idea, I think. Is it impossible iterate through every object like "spawn1", "spawn2", create object for each of them and put it into array of Chest objects? – Norbox Mar 21 '18 at 12:42
@Norbox I've updated my answer giving you a huge nod in the correct direction. Generally if your JSON string does not deserialize to your object try it the other way around: Serialize one of your objects to JSON to see how the `String` is supposed to look like. – Ben Mar 21 '18 at 12:46

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

With GSON

Using the JSON you have is a bit tricky since you said the number of Object can change but those are not in an array. But you can iterate each element with GSON using JsonObject.entrySet

First, parse the JSON and get the object:

JsonObject json = JsonParser.parse(jsonToParse).getAsJsonObject();

Then you iterate the elements :

List<Chest> list = new ArrayList<>();
for(Entry<String, JsonElement> e : json.entrySet()){
    //read the json you can find in `e.getValue()`
    JsonObject o = e.getValue().getAsJsonObject();
    double x = o.getAsJsonPrimitive("x").getAsDouble();
    ...

    //create the instance `Chest` with those `double` and insert into a `List<Chest>`
    list.add(new Chest(x,y,z));
}

If you want to retrieve the name to, it is in the entry key : e.getKey().

Note this can be improved using a Stream but to keep it family friendly ;) I will keep that loop.

Thanks, I will check that tommorow – Norbox Mar 21 '18 at 16:40 — Norbox, Mar 21 '18 at 16:40

Parse every element of JSON to Array in Java

2 Answers2

With GSON