Return Json from Generic List in Web API

Question

I build my list like this:

public static List SearchData(string searchString)
{
    var searchResults = new List();

    SqlDataReader drResults = FormulaUtility.SearchFormulas(searchString);

    if ((drResults != null) && (drResults.HasRows))
    {                
        while (drResults.Read())
        {
            searchResults.Add(new SearchFormula() 
            {  
                // id  use the GetValue function
                Title = drResults.GetString(1),
                Description = drResults.GetString(2), 
                Url = drResults.GetString(3)
                // total use the GetValue Function
                });
            }
        }
    return searchResults;
}

Using this Object:

public class SearchFormula
{
    public string Title { get; set; }

    public string Description { get; set; }

    public string Url { get; set; }
}

I began using the IHttpActionResult, returning the OK(results); function. I believe this is what started me down the confusing road. I had successfully sent an ArrayList but this did not serialize the way I thought it would.

I tried changing it to ActionResult and attempted to return Json(result) Result being the actual list.

I would like to continue to use the IhttpActionResult and send the serialized data with the OK() method. I also seem to be having a conflict between the built-in json serializer and NewtonSoft json serializer.

What should I use. What is the simplest way of just serializing a generic list and passing the result into the IHttpActionResult OK() method?

I tried the JavaScriptSerializer but it returns XML not Json...

public class SearchController : ApiController
{
    public IHttpActionResult Get(string searchTerm)
    {            
        var jsonSerialiser = new JavaScriptSerializer();
        var jsonResult = jsonSerialiser.Serialize(SearchUtility.SearchData(searchTerm));

        if (jsonResult != null)
        {
            return Ok(jsonResult);
        }
        return NotFound();

    }
}

Here is the Json.Net Example:

public class SearchController : ApiController
{
    public IHttpActionResult Get(string searchTerm)
    {   
        var jsonResult = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(SearchUtility.SearchData(searchTerm));

        if (jsonResult != null)
        {
            return Ok(jsonResult);
        }
        return NotFound();        
    }
}

I have tried the MemoryStream... blah blah blah... nothing seems like a clean, straightforward approach and there is no subject matter for this specific solution.

Let me start with this...

How can I serialize a Generic list to Json?

How can I send that result through the IHttpActionResult?

*Update*

This is what I am getting for the serialization from Json.Net. BUT something is wrong with the format... Even Fiddler can not determine that it is Json. My Header looks like this (in Fiddler):

Accept: application/json, text/javascript, /; q=0.01

"[{"title":"Lacidofil^®","description":"Lacidofil® features Institut Rosell’s Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Both of these strains have been extensively studied in human clinical trials, possess an...","url":"/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=103"},{"title":"MedCaps GI™","description":"MedCaps GI™ features ingredients that are designed to nutritionally support the integrity and optimal function of the gastrointestinal lining. Fortified with nutrients such as l-glutam...","url":"/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=114"},{"title":"OrganiX™ PhytoFood™","description":"OrganiX PhytoFood is a convenient powdered formulation providing key nutrients to support a healthy lifestyle. This comprehensive formula incorporates an innovative blend of organi...","url":"/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=271"},{"title":"Probio Defense™","description":"Probio Defense™ is an optimal combination of probiotic bacteria that supports the immune system. This product contains: Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52 (3 billion) Lactobacillu...","url":"/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=102"},{"title":"ProbioMax Daily DF™","description":"ProbioMax Daily DF™ is a vegetarian, dairy- and gluten-free, four-strain probiotic totaling 30 billion CFU† per capsule. Each vegetarian capsule is sealed in nitrogen-purged alu...","url":"/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=181"},{"title":"ProbioMax DF™","description":"ProbioMax DF™ is a vegetarian, dairy- and gluten-free, four-strain probiotic totaling 100 billion CFU† per capsule. Each vegetarian capsule is sealed in nitrogen-purged aluminum...","url":"/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=184"},{"title":"ProbioMax Plus DF™","description":"The multitude of healthful benefits attained by the individual supplementation of probiotic strains of bacteria, the non-pathogenic yeast, Saccharomyces boulardii, immunoglobulins,...","url":"/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=185"},{"title":"Saccharomycin DF™","description":"Saccharomycin DF™ is a lactose-free, stomach acid–resistant, stable, European patent-pending formula containing DNA-verified Saccharomyces boulardii. This probiotic yeast support...","url":"/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=197"}]"

Return Json from Generic List in Web API

2 Answers