JSON like array of dynamic objects

Question

I want to create an array of dynamic objects, similar to the JSON pattern. I am using this to allow my Breadcrumb class take in argumens that define the output characteristics. I am thinking it would look something like this

breadcrumbs.Add(new Breadcrumb() { 
    Title = "Page name", 
    Attributes = { class = "myclass", data-info="info stuff" } 
});

I would then iterate through this array when I display the breadcrum to output something like this

<a href="" title="Page name" class="myclass" data=info="into stuff">...</a>

The question is can I do this dynamically without creating boiler plate code to sit inbetween i.e. BreadcrumAttribute that may specify the attribute name and then data.

I have seen a similar pattern elsewhere within MVC.NET but cannot remember where it was...

Kamil Budziewski · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-02 13:57:21Z

4

you can use anonymous type like this:

breadcrumbs.Add(new Breadcrumb() { 
    Title = "Page name", 
    Attributes = new { @class = "myclass", datainfo="info stuff" } 
});

data-info is not allowed as property name so I changed it to datainfo, you can name it also data_info

or define it as Dictionary<string,string> and use it like:

breadcrumbs.Add(new Breadcrumb() { 
    Title = "Page name", 
    Attributes = new Dictionary<string, string>() { { "class", "myclass" }, { "data-info", "info" } }
});

edited Jan 2, 2014 at 13:57

answered Jan 2, 2014 at 13:49

Kamil Budziewski

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4 Comments

Chris Over a year ago

This looks like what I'm after - What type would Attributes be?

Kamil Budziewski Over a year ago

@Chris they will be AnonymousType msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb397696.aspx

Chris Over a year ago

How do I define that as part of a class though? I cannot use var within a class definition...

Kamil Budziewski Over a year ago

@Chris define it as Object, or use second solution with dictionaries. You can also use dynamic instead of Object

Original10 · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-02 14:00:29Z

1

Make Breadcrumb.Attributes a Dictionary

class Breadcrumb {
    public string Title;
    public Dictionary<string,string> Attributes;
}

and then..

        var breadcrumbs = new List<Breadcrumb>
            {
                new Breadcrumb()
                    {
                        Title = "Page name",
                        Attributes =
                            new Dictionary<string, string>
                                {
                                    {"class", "myclass"}, 
                                    {"data-info", "info stuff"}
                                }
                    }
            };

edited Jan 2, 2014 at 14:00

answered Jan 2, 2014 at 13:52

Original10

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2 Comments

Chris Over a year ago

You know, I was so busy thinking about clever things I never even thought to think simple. Thanks!

Original10 Over a year ago

The other answer is probably more elegant though !

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