DataContractJsonSerializer and Enums

When I serialize a enum value using DataContractJsonSerializer, it serializes the numerical value of the enum, not the string name.

IE:

enum foo
{
   bar,
   baz
}

Serializing a value of foo.bar returns "0", not "bar".

I'd prefer it the other way around, is there a way to override this?

Edit:

Because I didn't want to change the serializer, I used a simple workaround hack.

I exposed a property in the class to serialize that calls ToString on the value, ie:

// Old
[DataMember]
public EnumType Foo
{
    get { return _foo; }
    set { _foo = value; }
}

// New, I still kept the EnumType but I only serialize the string version

public EnumType Foo
{
    get { return _foo; }
    set { _foo = value; }
}

[DataMember]
public string FooType
{
    get { return _foo.ToString(); }
    private set {}
}

wcf json serialization

Edit Report

edit: Sorry just got up no coffee :(

Here is the code to do what you want to do with the Json Serializer, not the DataContractJsonSerializer.

I haven't done any work with DataContractJsonSerializer yet but after quickly scanning the docs, I am rather disappointed in MS. They obviously went to extremes to make WCF very extensible, but with the DataContractJsonSerializer there is no extensibility. You have to use MS flavored JSON with it. SUPER lame of MS ... already messing up WCF.

    using System;
    using System.Collections.Generic;
    using System.Runtime.Serialization;
    using System.Web.Script.Serialization;

Some Test Objects & Enum:

    public enum SomeSillyEnum
    {
        Foo,Bar,Doo,Daa,Dee
    }

    public class UseSillyEnum
    {
        public SomeSillyEnum PublicEnum { get; set; }
        public string SomeOtherProperty { get; set; }
        public UseSillyEnum()
        {
            PublicEnum = SomeSillyEnum.Foo;
            SomeOtherProperty = "Testing";
        }
    }

JavaScriptConverters. One for all enums, and one for an object using an enum.

public class EnumStringConverter : JavaScriptConverter
{
    public override object Deserialize(IDictionary<string, object> dictionary, Type type, JavaScriptSerializer serializer)
    {
        foreach(string key in dictionary.Keys)
        {
            try { return Enum.Parse(type, dictionary[key].ToString(), false); }
            catch(Exception ex) { throw new SerializationException("Problem trying to deserialize enum from JSON.",ex); }
        }
        return Activator.CreateInstance(type);
    }

    public override IDictionary<string, object> Serialize(object obj, JavaScriptSerializer serializer)
    {
        Dictionary<string,object> objs = new Dictionary<string, object>();
        objs.Add(obj.ToString(), ((Enum)obj).ToString("D"));
        return objs;
    }


                        
                        
                            answered 2009-04-27T22:54:08.410

DataContractJsonSerializer and Enums

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