Convert a dynamic object to a concrete object in .NET C#

Question

As you saw from the title, I need convert this object:

    object obj = new{
       Id = 1,
       Name = "Patrick"
    };

To specific class instance.

To be more clear, here is an example for you guys:

    public class Student
    {
        public int Id { get; set; }
        public string Name { get; set; }

    }

    public class Scholar
    {
        public int UniqueId { get; set; }
        public string FullName { get; set; }

    }

I have two classes Student and Scholar. I cant figure out a way to properly write an algorithm of conversion to specific type.

In my opinion, pseudo code should look like this :

if (obj.CanBeConverted<Student>()) {
   //should return this if statement

   obj = ConvertToType<Student>(o);

   // after this method obj type should change to Student
} else if (obj.CanBeConverted<Scholar>()) {

   //at current example wont reach this place
  obj = ConvertToType<Scholar>(o);

  // after this method obj type should change to Scholar
}

It this possible to program in some way ?

---

I surfed the net and found this example : https://stackoverflow.com/a/17322347/8607147

However this solution always tries to convert / deserialize object or dynamic type to concrete object.

Answer 1

You can do it by using Json.Net Schema and Json.Net, check bellow how I did it:

  class Program
  {
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
      var o = new
      {
        Id = 1,
        Name = "Patrick",
        Courses = new[] { new { Id = 1, Name = "C#" } }
      };

      Student student = null;
      Scholar scholar = null;

      if (o.CanBeConverted<Student>())
        student = o.ConvertToType<Student>();
      else if (o.CanBeConverted<Scholar>())
        scholar = o.ConvertToType<Scholar>();

      System.Console.WriteLine(student?.ToString());
      System.Console.WriteLine(scholar?.ToString());

      System.Console.ReadKey();
    }
  }

  public static class ObjectExtensions
  {
    public static bool CanBeConverted<T>(this object value) where T : class
    {
      var jsonData = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(value);
      var generator = new JSchemaGenerator();
      var parsedSchema = generator.Generate(typeof(T));
      var jObject = JObject.Parse(jsonData);

      return jObject.IsValid(parsedSchema);
    }

    public static T ConvertToType<T>(this object value) where T : class
    {
      var jsonData = JsonConvert.SerializeObject(value);
      return JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<T>(jsonData);
    }
  }

  public class Student
  {
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string Name { get; set; }
    public Courses[] Courses { get; set; }

    public override string ToString()
    {
      return $"{Id} - {Name} - Courses: {(Courses != null ? String.Join(",", Courses.Select(a => a.ToString())) : String.Empty)}";
    }
  }

  public class Courses
  {
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string Name { get; set; }

    public override string ToString()
    {
      return $"{Id} - {Name}";
    }
  }

  public class Scholar
  {
    public int UniqueId { get; set; }
    public string FullName { get; set; }

    public override string ToString()
    {
      return $"{UniqueId} - {FullName}";
    }
  }

The solution is basically by generating a JSON Schema from your desired object and check if the new data que fit this shema.